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Jake Greenbaum, reighning Palguin Race Champ, coaches New River students daily on stomping Rios Palguin and Nevado.

Sixteen year old Galen Volckhausen masters aerial balance on "Cali Slide."

As this semester’s head coach it’s been a pleasure to challenge the athletes on creek racing skills.  And there is no better place to do that than on Chile’s whitewater wonderland.  New River students have their work cut out for them with an eleven year winning tradition.  Why is that?  Well let’s name drop a few Huge Experiences extreme alumni:

• Isaac Levinson- reigning Green River Champ and top US Extreme Racer.
• Pat Keller- Past Green Champ and Freestyle Runnerup World Champ.
• Casey Eichfeld and Rick Powell- Olympians.
• Jake Greenbaum and Keegan Grady- winners of Palguin Races 2010 and 2009.
• Tino Specht- coach and videographer.

Pucon, Chile holds a magical energy as it lies between three volcanos in the heart of the lake-district.  Imagine geological perfection for creating clean waterfalls as rain and snow meander their way down the Andes and volcanic drainages to the Pacific.

New River Academy students have been staying at Pucon Kayak Hostel enjoying classes and kayaking under the Chilean sun.  This past week has been the semester climax with 80% of the student body paddling the famous Upper Rio Nevado and Upper Palguin daily afterschool.

It’s school history in the making with each student honing aerial balance skills on such a perfect stomping ground.

About Pucon’s Rio Nevado

Often called “the Nevados” the Rio Nevado has become Pucon’s favorite creek run.  The upper stretch is speckled with 6’ to 10’ boof after boof.  All having character, unique lines, zigs and zags, clean corners to launch, and soft pads to land within a canyon.  Add to this three clean twenty footers each with signature moves.

What class is the Rio Nevado?  While, many call it class V the drops break down into a series of class IV moves with a couple of class V portages.  Paddlers mistakenly label it as class V based on the canyon nature and few portages.  Note there is a trail to every rapid on the Upper so it’s not as remote as many assume.  Additional note-  300 meters of the Lower Nevado below Demshitz drop is a non-hikable access canyon of cascade beauty.

 The Cali Slide (You can park and huck)

Kincaid Wurl takes the speed bump for a little pop wheelie.

It’s a quick hike in and out to the Cali style slide.  Bring your camera for those once in a lifetime shots.  Taking a right line helps you slow your speed and avoid the aerial hump.  Better boaters enjoy riding the ramp for those once in a lifetime aerial shots.  Most folks will lap this slide to maximize the fun factor.

Wall Falls

This is a super cool twenty footer.  You’ll slide an 8 degree slope to a 20’ horizon staring at the giant wall.  Take a subtle righty boof stroke to turn you boat left and practice stomping a 30 degree pitch entry.

Double Drop

Go through the first three foot drop on right and then let’s see you “get there” on the bottom right side boof.  Air it out for style points.

Ecstasy aka Pitch 20

Hayley Stuart takes a pro stroke on a tough line to time at Ecstacy.

This cool twenty footer goes through a 3’ wide narrow gap and creates a super cool horizon.  Ride through the gap on a balanced right rudder and time a righty boof stroke.

Boof and Auto Boof

The next two are simple boofs.  The auto boof makes for a sweet photo.

Make the Ferry

At higher water the ferry below “Auto Boof” is tough real tough.  You can paddle under the cave rock and portage.  After the ferry boof right and slide right.

Boof Ten Footer

Not sure the name of this 10 footer.  At higher water air this big boy out for style.  Get up on the boof heading left as a low boof slides you off into a rock on your right.

Hero Move at low water.  Catch the left eddy above the boof, turn and boof the river right side.

Sara Jane Daub at Auto Boof.

Dulce Amor aka Sweet Love

Has to be one of the best 20 foot boofs on the planet.  The river converges into a 5’ wide channel sloping off the perfect 45 degree wall.  Charge that wall and get your boofsmear on.  This is as good as boofing gets.

Pyramid Rock below Dulce Amor

It’s a steep 6 footer.  Go on the right side of the pyramid and boof left.  You’ll have to reach low staying balanced to keep your bow up.

Rock Jumble

There’s a right line, there’s a left line and there’s a portage.  Better scout this one.

Sara gracing the ten foot boof. New River Girls Rock!

River Right Portage or Scout

There’s a tight little tough to make eddy.  With groups you should get a boat catcher.  New River walks this one as the slot walls are undercut.

Demshitz Drop and Takeout

Congratulations you just ran one of the cleanest waterfall runs in the world.  Takeout and do it again.  If you want more then scout the Demshitz 45 footer with solid entrance.

By David Hughes

Director New River Academy

Owner Pucon Kayak Hostel

It’s easy to Apply to New River Academy.

Eric Bartl timing his stomp at Sweet Love... world's best twenty foot boof.