Ecuador is a challenging country for a kayak guide because there are so many runs to know, and because each run changes significantly with the various water levels we see. To Small World’s guides, these challenges make it all the more exciting. In fact, we've found that no place else on earth comes close to having both the variety of runs to paddle and the variety of water levels to paddle them on. Ecuador rocks! Our guides love to paddle both while working and on their days off. We know their enthusiasm will rub off on you—whether it’s Don encouraging you to surf 
that big wave, Larry explaining how to line up perfectly for the next boof, or Darcy teaching the techniques necessary for punching wave holes our guides will have you fired up about kayaking! When not guiding, you can usually find us pouring over maps and loading our gear to head out and go exploring. We love finding new rivers in our own backyard, many of which eventually get incorporated into our regular kayaking itineraries. For us, kayaking is not just a job it’s a lifestyle we want to share with you. You’ll find one of Small World’s owners on each of our trips—none of us like being left behind in the office!
(Small World owners Larry, Darcy, and Don after
sweeping the first annual Quijos River down river race.
Don took first in long boat division, Larry took first in
short boat, and Darcy took first in the women's division)
Integral to our guiding philosophy is the concept of running our trips just like we do when paddling privately (OK, maybe a little more luxuriously). The emphasis is on safety, fun and quality experiences both on and off the river. We 
believe this is best achieved by a small group of professionals working together with common goals and ideals. Although extremely varied in age, background and specialties, our guides share a common passion - running rivers. Our guides are the key to your trip, and our success and we want you to know a little about the core group. Below they share what they like about Ecuador and the paddling there, and most importantly what they think you need to know to make your trip as successful as possible.
Years Paddling: 37
# of countries paddled: 10
Started SWA: 19 years ago.
Favorite thing about Ecuador: "It amazes me how nice the locals are to us, they make us feel so welcome."
Advice for people coming on a SWA
trip: "The best tip I can give is to carry your essential paddling gear in you carry on with you. That way, even if the airlines mess up, you'll have your own gear to paddle in."
Larry started paddling in Colorado on the Arkansas River, and his passion for kayaking quickly eclipsed his career as a contractor. He traveled extensively throughout Central and South America (leading kayaking trips in both Honduras and Chile) before finding his home away from home--Ecuador. Now he splits his time between Ecuador in the winters and the Grand Canyon during the summers.
Years Paddling: 25
# of countries paddled: 8
Years guiding for SWA: 16
Favorite thing about Ecuador:
"I love the variety of paddling here in Ecuador. There are so many great runs within a short distance of our river base, that kayaking is very convenient here."
Advice for people coming on a SWA trip: "If you haven't been paddling for a while, get in a pool and polish up your roll. You can work on everything else while on our trips, but you'll have more fun with a bombproof roll."
Don grew up in Idaho and started paddling when his older brothers introduced him to the sport. Ever since then he's spent more time on the river than anywhere else. He has guided kayaking trips in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Norway, but likes Ecuador the best both for it's quality of whitewater and ease of getting to it. When not guiding in Ecuador you can find him either skiing or paddling throughout CO, ID, CA, WA, and BC.
Years Paddling: 14
# of Countries Paddled: 6
Years guiding for SWA: 10
Favorite thing about Ecuador: "The best thing about Ecuador is paddling in a shortie top and still being warm. Close behind that are Lily's vegetarian meals."
Advice for people coming on a SWA trip: "I recommend getting in shape before coming on a trip with us. Most people aren’t used to paddling 7 days in a row, and it is amazing how much it helps to train a little bit before hand."
Darcy grew up in Colorado, and began dabbling in kayaking after high school. Soon enough, she "accidentally" found herself on a paddling vacation in Ecuador, which really initiated her passion for kayaking. She earned an MA from the University of British Columbia in Environmental History in 2006. Her thesis was on the oil industry in Ecuador's Oriente so if you want to know a little about the areas you'll be paddling in, just ask her! Nowadays she spends as much time on the water as possible, even if it means paddling in a drysuit in 30 degree weather in British Columbia.
Years Paddling: 10
# of Countries Paddled: 4
Years guiding for SWA: 4
Favorite thing about Ecuador: "Having the opportunity to show paddlers from all over the world the amazing rivers of my home country."
Advice for people coming on a SWA trip: "Come to Ecuador with an open mind and lots of energy! Both on and off the rivers there are amazing things to see here and you'll want to experience as much of it as you possibly can."
Tarquino grew up in Puerto Napo Ecuador and his passion for the "river life" began at an early age. His whitewater career began on an inner tube on the Upper Napo River--his backyard run. He eventually took the skills learned from his inner tube to a kayak and then onto a raft. Tarquino now spends his winters in Ecuador guiding for Small World Adventures and his summers in Golden, British Columbia guiding rafts on the Kicking Horse River. He speaks Spanish, Quichua, and English, has an amazing sense of humor and can tell great jokes in all 3 languages. You'll love the energy and knowledge he brings to each trip.
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