C-Forum

Re: whitewater in Costa Rica- which outfits might at least have a have a leaky Cascade that I could paddle? Do any of these outfitters actually have open boats?

Who's actually done the Mexico, Central America, or South America thang?

Most importantly how can I find the cheapest deal?

...and who wants to come with?!!

Kevin

I havn't paddled in SA yet, however I went to NZ a couple of years ago and here's my advice. Do NOT plan on finding any C1/OC1 related gear, at least I didn't in NZ. I went down there with my dagger pedestal in a duffle and all of my gear. I neglected to bring a paddle because I thought for sure I would be able to find a Carlisle or something similar somewhere. Well, apparently Canadian Canoes aren't popular in NZ and I had a really hard time finding a stick. Finally met up with Paul Eames, one of the 2-3 Cboaters in NZ and he lent me one for my trip.
I'm not sure if SA would be the same, but if you want to go down there and boat, I wouldn't plan on being able to find a C1 anywhere. Especially a Cascade! It's not that hard to bring a Dagger Pedestal if you have one and it only takes a thirty minutes to gut a K1 and convert it for the better.

Have a good trip! I'm going to try and hit Argentina next december, but I have to finish school first.
Will

Check out Costa Rica Rios http://www.costaricarios.com/equipment.htm

They have two Dagger Atoms and three Dagger Cascades. I would suggest that you bring your own spray skirt though.

Jim

i you make it to Mexico and bring your pedestal, we got a few kayaks, some prijon kaitunas, a rocket, some liquid logic a stuby and some jakson kayaks i could lend you. Also got an extra ainsword stick. The only OC that am aware of here in Mexico is my phantom.
It would be really interesting to paddle with a some one who doesn’t need to blades to do it till the end of the day.
Juan

I left a Diesel 65 hull down in Pucon, Chile last year with Rodgrigo at the local kayak shop. If he still has it around, you would just need to take a saddle with you to outfit it. (It already has holes drilled in the correct spot for a Dagger pedestal.) He might have outfitted it as a kayak again, but it's worth asking. He's easy to find in Pucon. I'm taking a Z C-1 to Ecuador in January, and plan on leaving the hull there if I can find a decent place to stash it. I'll let you know if this works out. You might consider just flying with a boat. I've flown with a Blunt, a Diesel, and a Godzilla on American Airlines and never had any trouble. Lan Chile has a pretty open policy too.
jay

I was thinking of Costa Rica Rios (see above) as well, they have the most (recent) c-equipment around. Whether they are the cheapest? I don't know. I think it may pay to book ahead for availability.

Back then, when I was paddling in CR (1995/96) I only saw an old beat up Mad River ME hanging up in the rafters in one of the outdoor companies in Turrialba. I myself had to go back that step in evolution and paddle a k-boat. I survived barely...

Anyone thinking of going to New Zealand: there's my old and trusty Dagger Rival OC in storage with friends just north of Wellington, a paddle too (I think...). So, give me a holler...

Juan,

My wife and I and a group of about 10 others are driving down into Mexico on Dec. 26. We'll be paddling around Cuidad Valles for about a week. Let me know if you're in the area. It would be good to meet up and paddle some together.

Matt

Costa Rica Rios definitely does canoeing. A group from Vancouver has gone for 10 days every winter for the past 3 or 5 years, they love the service they get. If you have any specific questions, CRR will answer them for you. There's a slideshow and video of their "canoeing week" on the CRR website.

http://www.costaricarios.com/canoecostarica.htm

Anyone know anything about the trips Bob Foote used to offer in Honduras? Presumably there's boats with an outfitter there.

I wish there was a CRR-type outfitter with canoes in Mexico, let us know if you learn anything! There are Canadian (Esprit) and US-based (Quest) companies that offer rafting and kayaking.

I'm pretty sure that Ecuador is all kayaks, unless you go into the Amazon and want to paddle a log dugout - the locals single-blade it there!

PY.

Hi Matt:
I have to be in the filobobos area the 27 and 28 if you are still in valles i can catch up with you the 28. How far south are you planning to go and for how long.

"I wish there was a CRR-type outfitter with canoes in Mexico, let us know if you learn anything! There are Canadian (Esprit) and US-based (Quest) companies that offer rafting and kayaking. "

I've contacted Esprit. apparently they have a couple of Mad River Outrages you can use.

They're supposed to look after you really well.

Have a great trip no matter where you head. I'm jealous.

Geoff Kee

Rios Hoduras in LaCeba had several OC1s when we were there a bunch of years ago. Not sure they are still in business.
Take your own stick. Oh yeah, Cipro too!

Juan,

This is the plan.

Dec 26 - drive
Dec 27 - Rio Pilon
Dec 28 - El Salto
Dec 29 - Cascados Micos
Dec 30 - Santa Maria
Dec 31 - Rio Gallinas/Rio Tampaon
Jan 1 - Rio Guayalejo
Jan 2 - drive

Juan,

I remember from previous posts that you paddle a Phantom. The question is, are you still paddling it stern-first? If so, does it carve better?

Matt,

How do I find out more about the rivers in that area? It seems like my most cost effective option. I wish I could join you, but if I go I'll be 2-4 weeks behind you.

Have you paddled these rivers before? Can you tell me if the descriptions on AguaAzul'swebsite are fairly accurate?

http://www.aguaazul.com/wsb/slprivers.html

Anybody else? Anybody ever paddle with AguaAzul? Is there any kinda local expat. paddling scene in the area? I'd hate to pay $1000 for room and board when I know I could live very nicely on $25 a day! plus shuttle...

I SO WANT TO DO THIS!!!

Motorcity:
I have no idea I never tried it the other way around, but it works just fine. I'f you meke it to mexico let me know you might want to try it lol.


Matt:
ara you camping or planning on staying at ciudad valles, I have done micos and tampaon and really love the micos falls. I wold be driving from filobobos to valles the 28, plan to get there some time at night. Where might I catch up with you?

good costa rica con0eing vid/advertisment..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4JlInlTONvA& ... ed&search=