A 10-YEAR-OLD  Panamanian boy, José María Varela participating  in the 7.8-mile Taboga Challenge rowing race from Veracruz to Taboga, completed the journey on a paddle board in two-and-a-half hours, on Saturday, November 25.

He returned to Veracruz by boat.

Jose, a grade four student, was the only child to compete in the event which included any rowing discipline and was organized by the Panama SUB Company in aid of Casa Esperanza and Jesús Luz de Oportunidades.