WoW! 

 Chile is amazing! The second semester started with a day and half in transit, and one to many close calls as far as kayaks in an airport go. We are currently staying just outside of Pucon, on the banks of the Rio Trancura. Overlooking the entire area is a huge active volcano!

There will be lots of pictures and Video soon!

Tracy d’Arbeloff and Alex Shawhorn at the beach in front of the Pucon base.

New River Academy students arrived to the southern end of the Chilean wine valleys where Patagonia’s Lakes District begins.  The school base is a kayaker’s dream come true:  a riverside house, a play hole, a put-in for the Lower and a takeout of the Upper Trancura, minutes away from multiple other runs, proximity to one of Chile’s biggest vacation destinations, and a view of Volcan Villiarrica.  What more could one ask?

Our first orientation consisted of introductions, discussing expectations, and our goal for the day.  The goals were simple:  to relax, gain confidence on the water, begin our Chilean adventure with safety, and to have fun.  We all agreed that one of our favorite things is to have fun.

I shared a story of safety and the difference between on water leaders and non-leaders.  The moral was to inspire putting other’s safety first and foremost over one’s own needs or fun on the river.  The group was divided into teams of three and given safety projects.  Each team would scout our rapid from the bridge next to our base.

Tino Specht and Zach Kathrein encourage Palmer Miller to enter Rio Trancura.

Next, students would take turns swimming while their team had to rescue them and their gear.  It was a simple activity that helped wash away the travel stress and the group was soon laughing and playing.  The weather was perfect and each team had fun taking pride in their safety oriented rescues. 

Some hustled to finish their rescues in order to work on loops, cartwheels, and mcnasties in the hole.  Later, students would discover the jump rock just downstream of the base property.  They would jump, flip, seal launch, and push each other in the river. 

Students begin quarter with safety protocol, gaining confidence, team building, and learning to rescue each other.

The afternoon certainly served its purpose of relaxation, team building, and gaining confidence.  Zach Kathrein was the first to ask this afternoon if he could build a fire in our new fire pit.  How exciting to see the students sitting under the 400 year old giant tree under the southern hemisphere stars.

I want to thank each family for sending your child to experience this amazing opportunity.  It is my hope and goal to share with your child the culture, education, and adventure of my favorite place in the world.

“And that has made all the difference.”

David Hughes

Hello from Chile!!

I am sitting at an internet cafe sipping some delicious melon juice while basking in the sun. Could life be any better? Chile is stunning. I am officially in love. I realize that I said that about New Zealand as well, but Chile has officially stolen my heart, and it is only our second day. The water is very chilly (pun intended).

We did some safety exercises yesterday that involved swimming. Lets just say it was a shock to the system. There is a smoking volcano in the distance. How cool is that? You can actually see the smoke! I really hope that we get to climb it.

Everyone seems to be settling great. We are all excited for school to start up again, and to really get back into paddling. One of the coolest and hardest things about being in Chile is that few people speak english! I have to say, I am a bit intimidated, but excited to learn!

Now Alex Shallhorn and I are going to go explore a little town we took the bus to. Keep checking for more updates! I promise I will have pictures for the next one!

Stay warm back in the states!!!
-Tracy