a new batch of van Goghs?

As many as 23 people showed up for the funshops, and everyone walked away with two paintings and a slightly elevated ego as they realized they really did have an inner artist hidden inside them.

And, of course, many stayed afterward for lunch, discussing artistry, cruising, and how to fix all the world's problems. A fun time was had by all.

Lodi Hutson

The memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. at Bruno's Hotel & Marina.

Friends and family are invited to attend to share their memories and thoughts to celebrate Lodi's life and experiences.

Don and Lodi of s/v Anon

Rio Dulce boaters and residents share in mourning the death of this wonderful lady with a heart as big as Texas and send condolences to her husband, Don Hutson, and their families.

It was reported that Lodi told Don "I think I'll take a nap" around 3 p.m. Saturday, and died in her sleep a short time later.

Lodi and Don were well known throughout the Rio for their generosity in hosting 8 annual community Christmas dinners at various local marinas, attracting upwards of over 100 guests including boaters as well as many local Guatemalan residents.

They also provided years of support for a local Guatemalan family, assisting with financing for the children's schooling and transportation.

Lodi's remains will be transported to Guatemala City for cremation.

Plans for a memorial service and celebration of Lodi's life and loves will be announced in the near future.

Read more about Don and Lodi's boating experiences in a previously published artlcle HERE .

An article about one of their Christmas dinners is HERE.

Comment on this article HERE.

Mark your calendars for some interesting and fun events planned for the Rio Dulce and Lago Izabal.

Swimmers in last year's competition

The all day swimming marathon is sponsored by INGUAT, EcoRio, and Asociación Masters de Guate. For info or inscription to the race click HERE. 

Sailing camp

The sailing camp is sponsored by Inguat, Ecorio, Hotels y Marinas, and San Felipe. For more information go HERE.

Sailing school

Triatlón Rio Dulce – June 22
The Rio DulceTriathalon will be held June 22 between Rio Dulce and San Felipe. It is sponsored by Inguat, Ecorio, Guateventos, Hoteles y Marinas. Organized by Guateventos this triathlon is international in level and will be hosted by several hotels.  For more info: http://guateventos.com/portal/

Municipal Salon El Estor

More will be posted on this as we move along with the organization, surely there will be a skippers meeting called about one week in advance to define the course and regulations if necessary, also to indicate anchorages and or stopovers.  

Special security patrols will be provided by the Guatemalan Guardia Costa for anchored boats .

Feria El Estor is sponsored by INGUAT, Muni El Estor, Veleros Rio Dulce, Hotels and Marinas.

Raja

Regata de la Independencia – September 15
Help celebrate Guatemala Independence Day Sept. 15 with another regatta open to all categories and sizes of sailboats. More info from last year’s regatta HERE .

 Sponsored by Ecorio, CONACAR, INGUAT, ASOVELA .

Festival Izabal - October 20
Music, dancing, theater performances, food and educational booths abound at this annual event at Castillo San Felipe.  Sponsored by Casa Guatemala and CAT  RioDulce.

Story and Photos by Jody Aston

Gary and Graciela

Step in to new dining area

Masters Swim Meet June 2

The competiton will consist of a 3 km race and a 6 km race.

Swimming will begin at 7 a.m. June 2.

Entry fee for the 3 km competition is Q200 and for the 6 km competition Q300.

Entry deadline is May 27.

To enter or for more information, contact the association at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 5610 5164.

Waiting at the finish line

It’s a fun, all day event with music and food available – and an opportunity to see some great swimmers in action.

(Editor's Note: Due to recent thefts which have occured on boats anchored out in various locations in Fronteras, Rio Dulce, here's an article written by Casey Brooks on how to lock up your dinghy. But remember to lock up the interior of your boat as well.)

 By CASEY BROOKS         
Everywhere you go people want to steal your outboard.

Here on the Rio Dulce we have a real problem with this.     

Some places are worse; Venezuela is legendary. When I was there on “Retriever” back in 1999, a yacht in the same anchorage had their inflatable with outboard stolen one night.

This particular dinghy was raised high on the boat’s stern in davits and was locked with half inch stainless steel chain. The next morning the chain was dangling in the water and the dinghy and outboard were gone. The “weak link” was the cheaply made in China padlock, which had been cleanly cut with bolt cutters. The shackle clearly said “hardened.” Yeah, sure.    

Go back to the first sentence.

People want to steal your outboard. They don’t necessarily want to steal your dinghy. The modus operandi of the thieves is to steal the dinghy quietly. Then they can take it to a remote place or a convenient hideout where they have plenty of time to extract the outboard motor: hacksaws, grinders, drills, chainsaws, cutting torches, tactical nuclear weapons, whatever it takes.     

So the key point is to lock your dinghy to the big boat every night. Strong places can be found on any boat: cleats, pad eyes, stanchions, enclosed bulwark chocks and davits. The problem is finding a strong point in the average dinghy. If it is an inflatable there are usually a couple of U-bolts through the transom, but these can be cut with quality bolt cutters. They can also be hacksawed (slower, noisier) These U-bolts can also be unbolted, of course.