Kesha’s father Don Thompson introduced her to whitewater on the banks of the Nantahala at the early age of five. From there she was hooked and would later become a kayak instructor for NOC and go onto win the coveted Green Race Champion title. It’s no surprise Kesha loves padling steep creeks as much as rivers.

After hearing so many friends rave about Chilean rivers Kesha signed up for the Claro PLUS, Pucon Creek Week, and to the Guest Work Exchange Program (GWEP). With Kesha’s Western North Carolina creeking experience she’s a natural within Chile’s basalt canyons and waterfalls. Kesha’s volunteer work with the retreat soon earned her a job offer to explore her winters kayaking in Chile and join the team.

Kesha’s northern hemisphere time is invested helping folks as an ER and ICU nurse in Grand Junction, Colorado. There Kesha paddles, paraglides, and mountain bikes most days when she’s not helpingthe sickly recover. 

Above: Javi lands a rainbow before breakfast at the retreat quincho. 

Scheduled

Chile Kayak Trips

Student Week of Chile Rivers – 50% DISCOUNT

Students kayak Chile rivers and earn Wilderness First Responder Certification over holiday break. Daily after WFR classes instruction for BEG-INT-ADV kayakers.

Women of Chile Rivers Kayak Trip

Chile kayaking trip for intermediate and advanced women kayakers led by kayak school owners, competitors and expedition leaders on Chile’s best whitewater.

Pucon Classics Advanced

Multiple WEEKS Available
Advanced Chile Whitewater Kayaking Trip guarantees blue rivers, waterfalls, slides, and boofing all on world class creeking and big rivers.

Rolls & Rivers Beginner Chile Kayak Trip

Multiple Dates Available
For BEGINNER (no experience required) kayakers keen to learn the combat roll and paddling fundamentals on Chile rivers. Bring a friend or meet new ones while you learn to kayak Chile rivers. All-inclusive

Fuy Plus Pucon Rivers

MULTIPLE DATES AVAILABLE
Advanced kayaking in Chiles best waterfall destinations of Rio Fuy and Pucon. Blue waterfalls with Pucon rivers and basalt canyons offers multiple sections for advanced whitewater kayakers.

Pucon Family Multi-Sport Adventures

AVAILABLE DATES
Pucon’s best multi-sport adventures travelers choose from raft, horse, hot springs, wine tasting, volcanos and glaciers while living riverside.

Chile Kayak y Multi-Adventure Trips Calendar

Calendar details best white water kayak Chile and multi-sport adventure trips by month and skill. Links to trip data make reserving your trip easy.

Kathy Zerkle and Friends Chile Birthday Party

Happy birthday Kathy. Over the years nurse/ranger/psychotherapist Kathy Zerkle has mended more broken river bodies and minds than all of us put together. It is with great pleasure that Pucon Kayak Retreat offers Kathy & friends a birthday week of retreat Chilean river style amongst her besties.

Pucon Creek Week (IV to V)

NOV 11 – 18
POPULAR… combo with Claro Plus

Kayak Chile’s best whitewater in basalt canyons, volcano drainages, slides, big water rapids, and stick your waterfall lines. A week of epic kayaking and celebrating Chile’s best whitewater region during optimal flows.

Hughes Family Goes to Patagonia

Hughes Family Goes to Patagonia! It is with pride retreat owner David Hughes announces the Hughes Family Goes to Patagonia trip. This page serves as a guide and checklist for the Hughes Family Patagonia Vacation Plan. Page does NOT detail trip itinerary or advertising...

Rio Claro Plus – Kayak Chile Waterfalls

MULTIPLE DATES AVAILABLE
Advanced and Expert Kayakers

Kayak Chiles Claro Canyon basalt waterfalls. 66,000,000 years milled and carved to kayaking perfection. Access, logistics, equipment, meals, coaching included. Bring your Go Pro and elbow pads.

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Our Scheduled Chile Kayak Trips

Pucon Classics Advanced

Pucon Classics Advanced

Multiple WEEKS Available
Advanced Chile Whitewater Kayaking Trip guarantees blue rivers, waterfalls, slides, and boofing all on world class creeking and big rivers.

read more
Rolls & Rivers Beginner Chile Kayak Trip

Rolls & Rivers Beginner Chile Kayak Trip

Multiple Dates Available
For BEGINNER (no experience required) kayakers keen to learn the combat roll and paddling fundamentals on Chile rivers. Bring a friend or meet new ones while you learn to kayak Chile rivers. All-inclusive

read more
Fuy Plus Pucon Rivers

Fuy Plus Pucon Rivers

MULTIPLE DATES AVAILABLE
Advanced kayaking in Chiles best waterfall destinations of Rio Fuy and Pucon. Blue waterfalls with Pucon rivers and basalt canyons offers multiple sections for advanced whitewater kayakers.

read more