Paddle & Pride: The Race on the Sea

Contested by six villages, the Limbe Canoe Race is an annual sporting event that sees male and female teams from Batoke, Bimbia, Botaland, Mondoli, Ndame, and Wovia compete. Typically happening in March over a week of festivities, the Limbe Canoe Race is a show of force and mastery of the sea’s waves by these coastal villages. It is a highlight of local culture each year, drawing participants and spectators from across Limbe and beyond.

Before Match Day

Preparation lasts for months before match day. It is customary to reuse a canoe from a previous race, unless it has sustained damage or heavy wear. Wood carved from giant mahogany trees – sourced from nearby forests and islands – is cut the year before and allowed to dry thoroughly. Skilled craftsmen then trim, shape, seal and paint the wood with vibrant colours and motifs unique to each village. Even the paddles get makeovers. Meanwhile, the paddlers train hard, building strength and practising in the ocean so they can endure the gruelling race.

One to two days before the race, the teammates, elders, and sometimes the village chief gather around the boat to invoke favours and blessings from their deities. This ritual is followed by heavy feasting in the participating villages. The Canoe Race is not only a competition, but also a communal gathering of sorts. It brings everyone together in good spirits ahead of the big day.

While the Canoe Race is about who can finish first, onlookers also quietly judge whose canoe has the most striking colours or the most elegant artwork. And for good reason. Winning the race is not purely about who knows the waves best or whose deity is strongest. Victory comes from a combination of often ignored factors like the collective strength and balance of the teammates, the density and stability of their canoe, and the overall design and hydrodynamics that help the canoe cut smoothly through water.

Match Day

In the days leading up to the race, the paddlers are forbidden from any contact with women, and some don't sleep in their homes. They go out to camp. During the eve of the race, the contesting villages are purified. This purification is carried out only by the villages’ elders, and only a select few know exactly what is done during purification.

On the day of the Race, more rites are done to ensure victory. The villages perform traditional rites believing their ancestors will come and join them during the race. According to folklore, there are certain spots in the sea where the ancestors meet them and enter the canoe. Other accounts have it that the paddlers call out names of people past, ancestors if you may, which they believe speed up the canoes, and slow down (or prevent altogether) other canoes on the brink of overtake. During the Race, if one village realises that another canoe is gaining speed or traction, the former will try to sink it. There have been times in competitions past when some canoes mysteriously stand still during the Race, regardless of the efforts of the paddlers. 

Teams are composed of upwards of 15 paddlers, with each team clad in matching gear on race day. These long canoes sometimes hold over twenty rowers who paddle in perfect unison to propel the boat at incredible speed. In some races, you might spot elders of the villages on the shore, performing last-minute rites or prayers for victory. Spectators usually crowd the beach, but anyone brave enough can hop into a support boat or canoe and follow along behind the racers to get a closer look at the action on the waves.

When the race kicks off, it is hard to predict the winner. At the blow of a horn, each team launches forward with powerful strokes. Every crew looks strong and well-prepared, so suspense grows as their canoes surge ahead. The race course typically stretches from the host village’s beach out to a turn-around point around a small island and back to shore. For example, teams might start at Limbe’s Down Beach and paddle around Ndame Island (about 3 km offshore) before returning to the finish. As the canoes disappear in the distance around the island, the crowd stays busy with cultural displays, music, and other sports onshore while waiting for the teams to reappear.

There is a buzz of excitement when a canoe is finally sighted approaching the shore. As soon as the first boat comes into view, people begin cheering. The leading paddlers dig their paddles into the water with every ounce of strength for the final stretch. The victorious canoe’s team is greeted by roaring applause from the crowd and jubilant embraces from their fellow villagers waiting on the beach. The runner-up teams arrive moments later and are also met with appreciation for a race well fought.

After the Race

After the finish, an award ceremony takes place right on the sand. Local officials and community leaders congratulate all the participants. The champions receive a cash prize and a special recognition for their achievement – often presented by the Paramount Chief of Limbe. It is a proud moment as the Paramount Chief bestows honours on the winning team, highlighting the importance of the event to the entire Limbe community. A trophy or token may be awarded, but for the villagers, the bragging rights and pride in their victory are just as rewarding.

Celebrations carry on long after the race. The winning village bursts into celebration with music, dance, and feasting that can last through the night. Neighbouring villages join in the merriment as well, because the Canoe Race, at its heart, is a friendly rivalry. It unites the coastal communities in shared heritage and joy. By the end of the week, everyone is already looking forward to the next March, when the Limbe Canoe Race will bring them together once again for another thrilling contest on the high seas.