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SWA's Ecuador Kayaking Vacations
will rock your world. Check out our Ecuador Rivers and Beaches kayaking
vacation, it's tropical Ecuador kayaking at its best.
"This was the best week of paddling in my life!"
Eugene Buchanan, editor of paddler magazine.
Small World Adventures pioneered commercial kayaking trips in Ecuador
during the early 90's and we are continuing the tradition of offering
innovative, challenging kayaking adventures in Ecuador, one of the
most fascinating regions on earth. We specialize in guiding small
groups of paddlers on the thundering rapids of big volume Amazon tributaries
and steep upper Andean creeks. Each season we explore new areas and
rivers and offer unique trips found no where else.
You can see some of the high points of the last season on our blog: www.smallworldadventures.blogspot.com when you are done close this window to come back to our site. |
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Class I - III
Sample Itinerary
Schedule
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Learn to paddle in the warm tropical waters of the Oriente (upper Amazon basin) while staying in wonderful riverside cabins and hotels. While you won't be roughing it there still is plenty of excitement on and off the river during these week long adventures. Since we have close access to the whitewater runs as well as to the rainforest you'll have plenty of river time with some left over most days for exploring historic Tena and the rainforest. SWA instructors adapt our teaching format to each students needs and abilities to be sure they learn not only the basics but advance as far as possible can during these classes. The difficulty of these courses are determined by the first people to sign up and can vary between never ever kayaked to paddlers with some experience who want to go to the next level. Few other courses at this level will introduce you to both large and small volume rivers as well as explain and practice specific paddling techniques and safety unique to each. |
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Winter Whitewater
Class III or IV-
Sample Itinerary
Schedule
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This season we are offering two trips of different difficulties that follow the same basic itinerary but run mostly different sections. We have separated them to help ensure that you get to paddle on exactly the kind of water you desire. Many Intermediates think Ecuador is too hard for their present class III skills. In reality Ecuador has awesome class III rivers and SWA knows where they are and when to paddle them, so if you are looking for a more vacation paced schedule we have it. We still are offering the same class IV- trips that paddlers have been enjoying for years as well. Kayakers of either level will enjoy small and large volume runs in the rainforest with lots of surfing and playboating. |
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Class IV
Sample Itinerary
Schedule
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Variety is what this, our most popular trip, is all about. You will
challenge yourself on steep technical creeks as well as large volume,
drop pool rivers with lots of opportunity for playing. At this level
of kayaking there are an astonishing number of world class rivers
to choose from. We take advantage of the best water levels when selecting
runs for each group so don't be surprised if it's the best week of
paddling of your life. Most people that have paddled with us say this
is an incredibly exciting and challenging week. |
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Class IV+ to V-
Schedule
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This trip is non-stop action with a focus on steep technical runs with a big volume day or two thrown in as well. If you are looking for easy access to remote, beautiful rivers in a friendly country, this is the trip for you. The itinerary is similar to our Torrents trip.
Class IV
Sample Itinerary
Schedule
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This is a new trip for SWA and unlike anything offered by anyone else.
You'll paddle four solid days in the Quijos valley (our favorite)
and then three great days at the beach kayak surfing! We'll share
our secret point break where we haven't seen another surfer (board
or kayak) in the last 4 years. If you want to maximize your vacation
time this is the trip that will do it. Rivers and Beaches is truly
a break from winter! This trip was featured in Outside Magazine! |
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Class II-III & Class IV
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SWA is offering all women's weeks (sorry guys) where the focus is
a combination of instruction and fun on the river with time to enjoy
the sights and culture. Ecuador has the reputation of only having
class IV and harder rivers but these trips are designed with the idea
of running some of the more spectacular class II to III and easy IV
runs and pushing personal limits by creating challenging moves on
rapids of this difficulty. Both trips will have some fun playboating
although the class IV- trip will focus on it a bit more. These trips
offer much more than just paddling though; soak in a beautiful hot
springs, hike in the rainforest, horseback ride, enjoy a massage,
take a Spanish class and visit the handicraft market in Quito.
Dates: contact us for available dates |
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Sign Up
Why wait till spring to take the ACA course on the same cold rivers
you always paddle. Get certified early and enjoy some of Ecuador's
fun whitewater at the same time. Larry Vermeeren is offering these
courses and he has been a ACA instructor and member since 1983 and
an ACA ITE (Instructor Trainer Educator) since 1994. Having taught
kayaking for RMOC as well as NOC and NOLS in the USA he is well
versed in the latest teaching techniques as well as rescue and equipment.
Ecuador is a great place to take the course since we have a variety
of warm whitewater runs available close at hand. The course is 5
days long and is a mixture of the SWA instructors sharing what they
have discovered to work best for teaching kayaking and testing participants
teaching ability, technical knowledge, paddling and demonstration
skills as well as safety.
Swiftwater Rescue
This non-certified course is great for either the professional
guide or recreational paddler. Depending on course interest we can
slant the course towards kayaking or rafting.
Contact us for dates and information on either course.
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Class IV
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If you want to paddle on both the eastern and western slopes of
the andes this is the trip for you. We spend four days on the best
runs in the Quijos valley while staying at Cabanas Tres Rios. Then
we head to the western slope and paddle three days on the rivers
and creeks around Santa Domingo. This trip was conceived for some
of our long time guests who want to see some new terrain but would
be good for any strong kayaker looking for adventure.
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Sign Up
Refine the basics or learn advanced play moves from SWA's best instructors. We focus on what you want to improve while paddling the most fun whitewater in Ecuador. If you feel like taking your paddling to another level we love to share our secrets on how to run creeks cleaner and safer or how to hit that extra end at a play spot. Each day of instruction includes lodging, three delicious meals, kayak use, local shuttles and of course an expert instructor.
COST: $245/day |
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