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Federation defends steps after complaints; coach resigns as House probes alleged mistreatment in canoeing
Summary
At a July 15 hearing the federation and the Department of Recreation and Sport told lawmakers they received verbal complaints about a canoeing coach, conducted meetings and a voluntary drug test (negative), removed the coach from training minors and accepted his resignation effective July 6; the committee requested recordings, minutes and contact information for complainants.
SAN JUAN — Lawmakers on the House Commission on Recreation and Sport heard competing accounts on July 15 after a group of parents, former athletes and affiliates raised allegations that a national canoeing coach mistreated minors and other athletes.
Ana Hernández, president of the Federación Puertorriqueña de Canotaje, told the committee the federation received three initial telephone complaints about an incident on March 28, 2026 involving a coach and a minor. The federation said it convened meetings with parents and the coach, conducted a voluntary laboratory test coordinated and paid for by the federation that showed no presence of controlled or illegal substances, and imposed interim measures: the coach was removed from training minors and a school coach (identified as A.C.) took over youth sessions.
Hernández said the federation held a full membership meeting on June 20 to hear all parties, that minutes and annexes were being transcribed, and that the federation would provide documentary evidence to the commission. She also said the coach voluntarily submitted a resignation letter dated June 22 with effect July 6. “El director técnico se sometió voluntariamente a una prueba de laboratorio ... los resultados confirmaron que el director técnico no utiliza sustancias controladas o ilegales,” Hernández said.
Representatives pressed the federation on why many earlier complaints were reportedly verbal rather than written, why the federation had not formalized a child‑protection protocol sooner and why a salary increase for the coach had been discussed in minutes from 2024 while complaints persisted. Members cited a chronology of incidents that some lawmakers traced to 2016–2019 and requested copies of the June 20 recording and any minute transcriptions.
Juan García Rivera, representing the Department of Recreation and Sport, told the commission that the DRD has specific oversight and referenced regulatory instruments the agency applies — including a coach licensing regulation (cited in testimony as regulation 76‑90) and protections for minors (cited as regulation 91‑79) — but said the department had not received a formal written complaint in its offices until late June/July. DRD said it would interview parents and proceed administratively if complainants come forward.
Committee action and next steps: The committee asked the federation to deliver the June 20 recording, transcriptions and related annexes within five working days and requested contact information for parents and athletes who offered testimony so they can be formally interviewed. The commission said it expects to continue the investigation and compile interviews of past and present athletes, federation officials, DRD representatives and the coach as part of its inquiry under House Resolution 7‑38.
