By Jessica Sweetman

Earlier this month, teams of cast members approached the Rivers of America with focused eyes, determined minds and steady hands.

With a lingering morning chill, anticipation hung in the air as teams prepared for their final race around the river. They came with different backgrounds, roles, skills and experiences, but they all had one thing in common: they would forever be bonded as finalists of the 2022 Disneyland Resort Cast Canoe Races.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the return of the Canoe Races — an annual tradition dating back to 1963 — was a welcomed sign this summer. This year’s event saw participation from nearly 1,300 cast members (84 teams of eight to 16 members), many of them first-timers to the event and others with decades of experience in the quest to be crowned the fastest canoe team in the wilderness.

Although competition started just eight weeks prior to the final race, many cast members started prepping long before. Kyle Abrantes’ team of nurses and health services cast members mentally prepared for the changes in their schedules to accommodate both their work shifts and their 5 a.m. call time for weekly practices on the river. “Words can’t begin to describe how grateful I am that my team believed in our potential as much as I did and were willing to make the sacrifices to attend, whether it was to row or show support,” said Abrantes, an emergency medical technician for the resort. “Regardless of the outcome, this team is already a winner in my eyes.”

Another team prepared for their race a bit differently. “Our team came up with a PowerPoint presentation,” said Chloe Sarabian, a member of the team of industrial engineers. Using what they knew about their team, the structure of the canoes and the flow and velocity of the water, they figured out the precise positions for each rower to ensure the most efficient aerodynamics. “By calculating the best place during our lap to conduct our switches, we mapped out our route to maximize efficiency, therefore minimizing our total lap time.”

Teams in the final races on Aug. 3-4 showed dedication and commitment to the competition in their preparation, speed and endurance throughout the races. Waves of applause from friends and families erupted when the winning teams were announced on Aug. 4.

Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock wrapped up the event by commemorating what it is like to not only work at The Happiest Place on Earth, but to have fun here as well. “This is what working at Disneyland is truly about – having fun with your fellow cast members in a way that only Disney can do. The sense of community that this event has brought over the years is a true representation of who we are not only as a company, but as a Disney family.”