DUE PROCESS
The Due Process is a cayuco, which is a dugout canoe
built from a hollowed out log in the Republic of Panama. She
is 27’ long and 260 lbs and has a crew of 4 paddlers. The Due
Process participated in the annual Ocean to Ocean Cayuco
Race through the Panama Canal from 1975 to 1999 when she
was retired. The Due Process is one of the most successful
boats in the history of the race, finishing in first place the first
year she competed and many after. She was built by Paul
Broussard and the scouts, including his son, who made up the
first crew in 1975.
The Due Process is being displayed here at the Cocoa
Beach Surf Company on loan from the University of Florida
and the Panama Canal Museum.
The Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race through the Panama
Canal is a traditional event that began in 1954 by Wesley
Townsend of the Panama Canal Company and the Explorers of
the Boy Scouts of America.
Today the race is administered by the Balboa Paddle Club.
The race is traditionally held each year over Palm Sunday
weekend.
Paddlers from Central Florida travel to Panama each year
to participate in the race. Teams practice in Sykes Creek on
Merritt Island in boats modeled after the Due Process.