The weather stayed cloudy, but it was not pouring rain, so BobbiJo, Hannah V and Richard headed down to
Kayak Chile for an afternoon run on the lower
Rio Liucura where it joins into the
Rio Trancura and turns into the
Rio Pucón.
Kayak Chile is a local river sports company founded by Ben May, a resident transplant to Chile from Devon, England, and one of the authors of
Whitewater Chile, A Paddlers Guide. According to the guide, the
Lower Liucura and the
Lower Trancura have class II and III rapids.
In the window of the shop is a poster proclaiming
Patagonia Sin Represas! which means "Patagonia Without Dams". This campaign is especially important for paddlers who no longer have the opportunity to experience the seven-day wild whitewater trips on Chile's
Rio Bío Bío since that river was dammed in 1996.
Inside the shop is a selection of hard shell kayaks for the experienced kayaker, but we opted to run the river in inflatable "duckys" reknowned for their stability and ease of handling. We also tried on our wetsuits and neoprene booties for proper fit, as we could count on getting soaked in the rapids and the water is pretty cold this time of year.
Here we are at the put in wearing our wetsuits, life jackets and helmets. Ben May is on the right inflating one of the duckys.
BobbieJo rode with Hannah, Richard teamed with Kayak Chile guide, Christian, and Ben May danced through the rapids in his kayak ready to provide assistance when we needed it. We couldn't take any photos during the run, but recent rains had put the water level up and the rollers were on the huge side of Class III! It was a great experience and we felt sorry for the other
chicas who stayed at
the casa next to the warm fire.
The weather stayed cloudy, but it was not pouring rain, so BobbiJo, Hannah V and Richard headed down to Kayak Chile for an afternoon run on the lower Rio Liucura where it joins into the Rio Trancura and turns into the Rio Pucón.
Kayak Chile is a local river sports company founded by Ben May, a resident transplant to Chile from Devon, England, and one of the authors of Whitewater Chile, A Paddlers Guide. According to the guide, the Lower Liucura and the Lower Trancura have class II and III rapids.
In the window of the shop is a poster proclaiming Patagonia Sin Represas! which means "Patagonia Without Dams". This campaign is especially important for paddlers who no longer have the opportunity to experience the seven-day wild whitewater trips on Chile's Rio Bío Bío since that river was dammed in 1996.
Inside the shop is a selection of hard shell kayaks for the experienced kayaker, but we opted to run the river in inflatable "duckys" reknowned for their stability and ease of handling. We also tried on our wetsuits and neoprene booties for proper fit, as we could count on getting soaked in the rapids and the water is pretty cold this time of year.
Here we are at the put in wearing our wetsuits, life jackets and helmets. Ben May is on the right inflating one of the duckys.
BobbieJo rode with Hannah, Richard teamed with Kayak Chile guide, Christian, and Ben May danced through the rapids in his kayak ready to provide assistance when we needed it. We couldn't take any photos during the run, but recent rains had put the water level up and the rollers were on the huge side of Class III! It was a great experience and we felt sorry for the other chicas who stayed at the casa next to the warm fire.
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