After much time spent viewing the scenery and interacting with others from ‘No Alto Maipo” we left for the 4 hour drive to the coast. The drive took us back through the mountains, and out into the agricultural valley below. We passed by Santiago and what seemed like endless miles of vineyards and farmland until we finally began to rise once again into the the hills which flank the ocean. The feeling was electric when we finally glimpsed the vast body of water- massive waves, relentless surf, and long dark beaches. We had finally arrived at our play boating destination; Pichilemu. This small town would be our base for the next 5 days as we tested our skills on the ocean waves. We managed to get out on the surf the first day, however we took it easy and went directly out as opposed to going to the large point break which forms farther down the beach. The waves surprised me in their size and magnitude, they made arial tricks not only possible, but almost hard NOT to throw! Our second day was even better, we headed out to the point break and caught some of the big waves there. Here they dwarfed us in our little play boats and frequently caught us and tossed us around, it seemed that the wave was demanding a toll for every trick. Most of the time we caught them but on occasion one of us would get close, miss, and go head over the heels into a tumble lasting a couple seconds, making for some hilarious wipeouts and beat downs. Fortunately we had 2 GoPros with us, meaning we got plenty of footage of tricks, and the subsequent beat downs. On one such occasion I threw a Pan-Am, (a trick I have been working on all year) and caught it on camera (finally!).

The surf might be the thing that brought us to Pichilemu, but it was the lifestyle that has enticed me to want to come back. The towns culture is unlike anything I have ever seen. A kind of cross between California surf culture, and small town Chilean customs. There is a big main strip consisting of everything from surf shops, to empanada stands. Horse’s and carriages parade around the town, enticing tourists and locals alike, and coffee shops dot the sidewalks offering a temporary reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the surfing lifestyle.

And that brings us to where we are now, sitting in a cafe writing these blogs and updating our Facebook, preparing for another day of paradise and surfing, we leave for the Rio Claro tomorrow, and though I will miss this place, I cannot help but be excited for the next leg of our trip; the infamous Pucon.

The view from our house

I heard about New River while doing a summer program called the Keeners on the Ottawa river. It sounded amazing and I was convinced it was the right thing for me. It is a perfect opportunity to get out and see the world, while also kayaking, before university. 12 Months after hearing about the program here I am in the Maipo valley in Chile! My first day included a sweet run on the lower Maipo, and I am very excited for our run today!

Video by Hunt Jennings.

The group at the top of Garganta getting pumped to run it. Who's nervous? It's hard to tell.

Garganta Del Diablo or Throat of the Devil is an extremely unique and picturesque drop. It is a 20 foot slide to a 25 foot waterfall. On top of that, it is nestled in a 100 foot canyon. It is almost too beautiful and clean to be true. And that’s exactly how the group did when running Garganta. We all did it beautifully and super clean. Everyone was very happy with their lines and had a great time running the drop. A few of us may have been a bit nervous, a.k.a. the girls, but we still styled it. Thanks to Seth and Carla for taking amazing photos and video of all of us!

We did it! Everyone at the bottom of Garganta.

If you want to run Garganta you can’t just run Garganta you have to run a whole section of the Rio Claro along with it. There is a take out two rapids before Garganta but after that you are completely committed to doing the whole run. There are a bunch of fun drops on the run. There is a 10 foot auto boof, two slides, and even a mini Garganta, not to mention a few other fun little drops! Another spectacular part of the run is a waterfall that pours into the main part of the river from the top of the canyon. In a flat part of the canyon you turn a corner and all of a sudden, there is a gigantic waterfall to your left. You can paddle right underneath it. This was truly an amazing experience because that is something I have always wanted to do. It’s easy to say that I have a new favorite river after running the Garganta Del Diablo section of the Rio Claro.

Me on my favourite drop.

For the Holidays, all of the members of our high school kayak team have dispersed to different locations around the globe to re-unite with, shall we say, our lovely genetic families, but I thought it would be appropriate to share some photos from our New River Academy Kayak Family Thanksgiving celebration and some other photos from the semester to wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Note: As shown in the pictures, New River Academy men bake, write and share poetry, and give speeches on “How To Be Chivalrous,” and New River Academy Ladies stomp such drops as “Garganta del Diablo” and style runs such as the Nevados.  We are all about balance, and being the best we can be by mixing it up and trying new things with the support and encouragement of each other.  We feel so lucky to have such opportunities every day.

Hunt Jennings and Kincaid Wurl learn to make cinnamon rolls for Thanksgiving breakfast the next morning.

...Although naturals on the baking front, sometimes the boys instigate trouble/ fun in the kitchen... Waaayyyynnne!

Eric Bartl and Alex Muck communicate with each other to find perfect balance in team yoga.

Sara Jane Daub runs Garganta del Diablo or "Throat of the Devil." Fellow girls team member Hayley Stuart couldn't get enough and ran it twice.

Me and the ladies of New River (minus the absolutely wonderful Anna and Carla).

Galen Volkhausen, not afraid to be dressed by Sara Jane Daub. Forget your gear? Don't do it, but when you do, we've got each others backs!

Hayley Stuart and Wayne Poulsen make the new recycling center more colorful for Art class.

The Stomping Stouts with Authority Crew stomp with authority by day and give educational speeches on chivalry by night. (Note that the balloon under Kincaid's shirt is unrelated to the speech on chivalry... this was dress up for karaoke).

Over the summer, Devyn, Kyle Hull and Keegan, among others were working on a film project entitled “Barely Legal”, a kayaking video they ended up dedicating to New River Academy Alum Stephen Forster. Stephen passed away last june while kayaking.

Though I only met Stephen briefly, he has had a tremendous impact on the lives of many, people in the whitewater industry, and is sorely missed.

Here is the video put together in Stephens memory. It has some great shots, and allows Stephen’s passion for this sport and the people in it to come through- kayaking in snow and ice and cold, as well as multiple descents of Metlako falls in one day.

Enjoy, and thanks to Airborn Athletics !

Barely Legal on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/32325826

We set down in the Andes-surrounded Santiago airport after an overnight flight and immediately loaded all of our kayaks and gear onto a big bus to head to Cascada de las Animas, an eco-tourism resort on the mighty Maipo River that is only forty minutes outside of the city.

Cascadas de las Animas, or “Waterfall of the Spirits,” is our base for the first week and a half.  It is nestled in a narrow valley of beautiful, tall desert mountains, and includes magnificent camping, a gourmet restaurant, waterfalls to hike to, a zipline, horseback riding, and, most importantly, is the takeout to the upper section of the Maipo River and the put-in to the lower section of the Maipo River.

The lower section of the Maipo is a Class 2/ 3 run, perfect for practicing boofs, eddy turns, punching holes, and racing.  The same skills can be practiced for the more advanced boaters on the upper section, which is a Class 3 /4 stretch with one easily portaged Class 5 rapid, called Frenchman’s Curve.  Throughout the week, all of the New River Academy team improved immensely, and, after great assessment and a strong safety set-up, some ran Frenchman’s Curve!

After the Maipo, the team cruised to Pucon, the creeking capital of Chile.  With its Jurassic Park-like mountains, countless waterfalls, and majestic volcano, Pucon is one of the most well-known summer destinations for Chileans.  For kayakers, it is known for the insanely high concentration of rivers within its near radius.

New River Academy’s kayak school base is located on the Trancura River.  Similar to our location on the Maipo, our Pucon base is situated at the take-out to the more challenging Class 3/ 4 upper section of the Trancura and at the put-in of the Class 2/ 3 lower section of the Maipo.  While we have certainly been enjoying putting in and taking off of the river immediately out our back doors, the team has also enjoyed runs on the Palguin (a perfect intermediate waterfall run) and the Nevados (a more challenging steep creek run).

In addition to kayaking, the team has enjoyed Chilean-led dance morning workouts, natural mountain hot springs, delicious Chilean meals (so much fresh bread!) at communal tables in front of warm fires, and classes that often incorporate the daily experiences of our surroundings.  We are all taken with the culture, the beauty, and the boating of Chile and we can’t wait for the next four weeks!