Paddling in paradise
Ana Cristina Páramo lives and works where other people go on holiday: it was off the Mexican Caribbean coast that she discovered her passion for paddling in a Mayan canoe.
“There’s nothing like the sea off Cancún – its colour just captivates you as soon as you see it,” Ana Cristina Páramo enthuses. “It feels perfect and gives you a real sense of peace and tranquillity. I never get bored of this particular shade of turquoise.” With her move to the Mexican coast, the 32-year-old marketing and academy coordinator at TÜV NORD Mexico fulfilled a lifelong dream. “I always wanted to live by the ocean and have new experiences.” Her job is to coordinate the marketing, and the job description also includes the coordination of training courses, seminars and further training measures. When coronavirus forced her to work from home, she took the plunge that would change her life: she moved from Querétaro, the central headquarters of TÜV NORD Mexico, to the coastal region of Cancún, 1,800 kilometres away. Life by the sea was more than a change of scenery – it marked the beginning of an unexpected journey. “In the midst of new routines, friendships and opportunities, I discovered something that captivated my heart: the Mayan canoe and the profound experience of paddling out on the open sea.”
It all started with a coincidence: a good friend posted pictures of a sunrise out on the water, prompting her to ask where she might be able to experience such moments for herself. Her friend told her about Mayan canoes, so she decided to give one a try. “The Mayan canoe was a key means of transport in the ancient Mayan world, but it means much more than that,” Ana Cristina Páramo explains. It was also symbolic of connectedness, trade and cultural identity. “It symbolises the history, culture and resilience of the Maya. It embodies teamwork, discipline and shared dreams.” This special history is commemorated every year in Mexico with the Ocean Race, in which teams have to paddle their canoes 20 kilometres across the open sea from Cancún to Isla Mujeres and back. It’s also known as “the Maya Challenge”.
The Maya carved their canoes from large tree trunks. They made them in a variety of sizes, from small boats for individual fishing to large vessels that could carry dozens of people and heavy cargo. The simple yet effective design allowed the Maya to navigate rivers, lagoons and the Caribbean Sea with remarkable skill.
It was in September 2024 that Ana Cristina Páramo dipped a paddle into the water for the first time, not to win a race but to be closer to the sea and see the sunrise. “At first, paddling on the open sea was difficult and scary,” she recalls, “but I also to see the most amazing things.” The water was so clear that she could see the white sand at the bottom with its patterns sculpted by the waves. “You get to see sea creatures in their natural environment and taste the salt in the breeze.” Since then, Ana Cristina Páramo has disciplined herself to get up every day before sunrise to enjoy these moments at sea. What began as a healthy morning ritual became more of a passion with every paddle stroke. “I was soon pushing my body and mind to limits I could never have imagined,” she says. Her ambitious goal was to complete a 20-kilometre race in her Mayan canoe in less than three hours. Anyone who has ever been in a canoe will have an idea of how hard it is to paddle on the sea. These slender boats bob like corks on the water and have to defy currents, wind and waves. And that in temperatures of more than 30 degrees. To stay fit, Ana Cristina Páramo trains at least five times a week, not only canoeing but also doing strength training and going swimming. In June, she reached a milestone: her first crossing to Isla Mujeres. Along with seven other women, she paddled across the Caribbean Sea for three hours and forty minutes. “The trip was about more than physical exertion – it taught me resilience, connectedness and the unbeatable power of teamwork.”
The next step followed on 13 September, the day on which she competed in the Ocean Race 2025. With her team “Kik Kannab”, which means “sisters of the ocean” in Maya, she paddled from Playa Tortugas in Cancún to Punta Sur on Isla Mujeres and back. “We were seven women and one man. It was great to be surrounded by such experienced Mayan canoeists. For me, it felt like a big party on the sea, and I enjoyed every second.” She was particularly inspired by being cheered on by her grandmother and mother, who had come especially for the occasion. “They knew how hard I had trained for that moment.”
Once we have a clear goal, everyone has to pull together. If we don’t paddle at the same pace, we’ll find it hard to reach our destination.
Despite all the changes, Ana Cristina Páramo’s passion for safety remains undimmed. She has been part of the TÜV NORD family for eight years, and the company’s logo is emblazoned on the right arm of the Mayan canoeists on her team. “As elsewhere in my life, I place the highest value on safety when I’m canoeing.” She also appreciates the team spirit that arises in Mayan canoeing “Everyone in the team counts, and we can achieve great things if we all paddle with the same rhythm,” she says. This is a principle that she also transfers to her work: “Once we have a clear goal, everyone has to pull together. If we don’t paddle at the same pace, we’ll find it hard to reach our destination. But when eight canoeists act as one, every sunrise shows us that by pulling together we can reach shores that we would once only have dreamed of.”
