Chile Week of Rivers – FD Alumni and Friends

*NOTE. While, staff and retreat are friends of FD this is not a FD sanctioned event. 

WHO CAN GO? 

BEGINNERS (no experience, min 2).  No kayak skills required: Rolls & Rivers itinerary. Inflatable kayak’s (IK) and rafts available too… we’ve got you covered.

INTERMEDIATES (basic experience, min 2). Kayakers with basic experience seeking safe fun instruction and Chile rivers exploration.  Pucon Classics Intermediate itinerary with industry leading instruction. 

Multi-sport Adventure Trip Option (non-kayakers, min 2 additional $US900). Non-kayakers can join the fun too with a menu of multi-sport adventures such as volcano hikes, horseback riding, wine tasting, climb the via ferrata to views of valley and volcanos, rafting, massage therapy, yoga… Read more VIP Multi-Sport Adventures. 

ALUMNI/FRIENDS. Friends and loved ones are invited to join the fun. 

Industry LEADERSHIP.

Mo “Beemrr” Bergmann Perez – Lead Staff & ACA Kayak Instructor Trainer – with experience across paddlesports industry, a love of biomechanics and fluid dynamics, and a current practice in transformational coaching, Mo strives to offer supported opportunities for growth while dancing on the edge of your comfort zone. Come out and play with us on the rivers of Chile!

Pillars of Well Being in Chile!

Community. The Chile Week of Rivers is an opportunity for you, FD alumni and friends, to continue reinforcing an already established FD community and to build a new one around paddling. March gives optimal flows for beginner and intermediate instruction and safe river instruction and exploration. So, March 9 – 16, 2024 means safe and fun beginner and intermediate whitewater kayaking opportunities. 

Adventure. Daily adventures and self-challenges align with our goal  to provide opportunities to grow your skills on the beautiful rivers of Chile. Professional instructors offer the “just right” challenge seamlessly managing risk while you focus on personal improvement. The fun part is doing all this within a community of like minded friends.

Mindfulness. Mindfulness is interwoven into time on the water, the way we engage each other in conversation/being/play, and other focus challenges throughout the week. Remember hat awards and recognition ceremonies. Nightly awards and celebrations bring the group together to remember the day’s successes and failures amongst friends. 

Nutrition.  Our hosts at Pucon Kayak Retreat provide three meals per day, snacks and dinner appetizers. Traditional Chilean dishes for cultural cuisine are mixed with North American style meals. Dietary needs such as allergies, gluten restrictions, and vegetarian options are accommodated. There will be one planned Pucon town culinary adventure out of pocket, and a Chilean asado (BBQ) for our farewell celebration night dinner. 

About Our Host – Pucon Kayak Retreat

David Hughes “Triple C”, Pucon Kayak Retreat proud owner, has a 25 year history with FD as he was both a teacher and coach of FD founder Brad Ludden at the 1999 Freestyle Kayak World Championships (New Zealand). As a high school student Ludden traveled the globe with kayak exploring academics, cultural communities, self-awareness and personal challenges. And later went on to help thousands of cancer patients. David has now co-lead nine FD programs with FD affiliate Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center. “It would be an honor to host and share the adventure gems of Chile’s most popular adventure vacation destination with the FD family. I’m enthusiastic for our team to give our best effort for such a wonderful program.” – David Hughes, Owner

What ‘s Included. 

• Riverside lodgings, communal hang out areas by the river.
• Airport transfers between 11 AM to 5 PM, MAR 9 and 16. 
• Kayak and adventure equipment, transportation and daily adventures.
• Three daily nutritional meals and dinner appetizers. 
• Industry leading professional instructors. 
• Local vineyard/winery tasting and appetizers event. 

What’s Not Included. 

• One out of pocket dinner at Pucon culinary experience.
• Alcohol. Option to buy wine bottles at vineyard.
• Hot springs entrance fee (pending group choice $US20 to $US45).
• Optional multi-sport activities (hot springs, horse, massage therapy ($US45/hr). 
• River shoes and personal gear are often preferred by guests but not required.

About Kayaking Week of Chile Rivers  

Pucon Chile is arguably the world’s best whitewater kayak destination with more than fifteen safe development class II to III+ river sections. Located on the Rio Trancura, your riverside home is the takeout for a  beginner section up river and put in for an intermediate section. With more development sections and features in every direction… This is Chile’s best whitewater training location. 

World class instructors well versed will lead developing kayakers through a curriculum that safely encourages self-challenge.  You will learn and practice fundamentals of boat control, efficient and effective paddle use, posture, and body mechanics, swiftwater rescue/management on the river, the kayak roll, ferries, maneuvering eddies, and cross current momentum. For more intermediate boaters we will address the nuance of edge control/transfer, boofing, jet ferries, swiftwater rescue, and more. Our curriculum is designed to improve not just your skills on the water, but your confidence and sphere of awareness too.  

What’s Included.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizers & Dinner
• Kayak Rental
• Airport Transfer *per scheduled times
• Riverside Base & Lodging
• World’s Best Kayak Instruction
• Daily River Transports

Not Included.

• 2 meals out at group chosen cultural, favorite cafe, or travel meal
• Alcohol
• Some optional multi-adventure activities such as massage therapy and hot springs.

 KEEP KAYAKING. 

Tentative Trip Itinerary

*Due to water levels, skills, and group needs the following itinerary is subject to change and is a best prediction of the itinerary.

Day 1

Arrival to Temuco Airport (ZCO) between 11 AM to 5 PM.
Boat outfitting and welcome.
Potential afternoon Lower Trancura (II to III+) run pending time.

Day 2

AM – Load for Rio Tolten & Lago Villarrica (I to III). Rolls and Strokes at Lago Villarrica

PM – Rio Tolten (II to III)

Day 3

AM – Kayak Theory +PLUS Liucura Wave to Trancura Confluence (II to III+)

PM – Lower Trancura (III to IV) or Trancura Delta (II)

Day 4 Travel Day -San Pedro, Fuy, Blanco, or Truful Truful 

AM – Full Day Road trips are big days and often the group favorites. An early breakfast followed by won of the most scenic drives circling volcanos, lakes and rivers.

Day 5 

AM – River Section or Mapuche Indian Presentation on the state of Rio Trancura Headwaters vs. hydropower.

PM – Lower Maichin (II to III) Canyon.

Day 6 – Travel Day – San Pedro, Fuy, Blanco, or Truful Truful 

AM – Full Day Road trips are big days and often the group favorites. An early breakfast followed by won of the most scenic drives circling volcanos, lakes and rivers.

PM – Thursday nights are scheduled for a guest dinner at won of our favorite Chilean cafes. We’ll take time to explore Pucon’s shops, eateries, and have a cerveza or artisan ice cream.
*Guests are responsible to cover this cultural dinner estimate at $US9 to $US12.

Day 7 – Group Option, Farewell Celebration Asado & Video

We’ll gauge the group energy and discuss kayaking or multi-adventure options for the final day. Some may want to try a clean waterfall for a grand finale. Others may want to get redemption on a section. We’ll celebrate the week’s accomplishments Chilean style with a grand fire and asado.

Day 8 – There’s still time to get in one last run. 

AM – Optional Morning Lap or Pucon souvenirs and crafts shopping.

PM –Temuco Airport (ZCO) Departure Flights Between 11 AM to 5 PM.

KEEP KAYAKING.