Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com
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Our Winter Whitewater Class III trip is an ideal winter vacation for intermediate paddlers who are excited about kayaking and don’t want their Class III skills to get rusty over the long winter months. Our Class III trips include a combination of big water runs and some low volume rivers where paddlers will get a good intro to creeking. The emphasis of these trips is refining solid Class III river running skills. If people want, we are happy to help you work on playboating moves, which will only make your overall paddling stronger.
Our Winter Whitewater Class IV- trip will follow a somewhat similar itinerary to our WW Class III trip, but will step it up just a notch. Big water play runs, and technical rivers abound in the IV- range in Ecuador giving us many great runs to choose from. For boaters out there who are super comfortable on their local Class III and IV- runs, a week of IV- runs in the middle of winter is an ideal way to keep your skills sharp, while advancing certain aspects of your paddling in anticipation of the upcoming boating season.
For either trip (Class III or IV-) you should have a Good Whitewater Roll. If you are thinking of the Class III trip, you should be fairly comfortable on your home Class III runs—this means you wouldn’t mind leading first timers down these runs. Good examples would be the Chili Bar run on the American River in CA, the Fractions or Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas River in CO, and the Lower Yough in PA.
For our Class IV- trip you should again have a Solid Whitewater Roll, and be comfortable leading and playing in your local class IV- and even some familiar Class IV runs. Good examples would be the Numbers on the Arkansas River at low flows, the Lower Gauley in WV, the Tieton in WA, and Chamberlain Falls on the N. Fork American in CA.
"We find that most people honestly and realistically evaluate their skills. We choose rivers based on the ability level of the group and the trip signed up for. If an individual has overstated their skills and cannot safely run these rivers, we may have to ask them to sit out a day and enjoy some dry land activities rather than holding back the entire group."
As Outside Magazine pointed out, you don't have to be a Class V paddler to enjoy international paddling vacations: "SEE THAT MORPHO BUTTERFLY?" asks our guide, Don Beveridge, owner of Ecuadorian kayak outfitter Small World Adventures. "Line up right below it, heading right." We've already followed ducks over drops and used parrots as reference points in the jade-tongued rapids of the Lower Misahualli, an Amazon tributary five hours southeast of Quito, so keying on the iridescent insect comes easy. And alongside Beveridge, 41, who authored The Kayaker's Guide to Ecuador, so do the rapids. Indeed, the secret to exploring the world's exotic river canyons isn't a Class V boof stroke; it's going with a ringer. And with many of the world's best kayakers supporting their habit by guiding, more foreign territory is becoming accessible to intermediate paddlers every year."
Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com
800-58-kayak
970-309-8913
Have you wanted to step up to some fun new local creeks, but maybe you are not sure you have the requisite skills for technical runs? Here is a great opportunity to learn—and then spend a week practicing—your boof, eddy hopping, boat scouting, river signals, and how to safely boat a creek with your buddies. Ecuador is a wonderful place to learn these skills with great, continuous class III to IV creeks and technical rivers. (Just a disclaimer: this week is not about running waterfalls, but we will do more boofs than you’ll be able to count). We will spend 7 days on some of Ecuador's most technical runs, where you will learn and refine both basic and advanced creeking skills. If you are ready to take your kayaking—specifically your creeking—to the next level, join us for a week of expert instruction this season where you will not only learn essential creeking skills, but you will also run some of Ecuador’s classic creeks. We also offer harder creeking runs for those of you with more advaced skills, check out our Torrents or Mucha Agua trips.
For our Class IV- intro to creeking trip you should have a Solid Whitewater Roll, and be comfortable leading and playing in your local class III & IV- runs. Good examples would be Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River in CO at medium flows, the Lower Gauley in WV, the Green River Gorge in WA, and Chamberlain Falls on the N. Fork American in CA. You do not need previous creeking experience but should have class IV- river running skills. Normally we want people to arrive with experience on similar runs to what we plan on paddling, but this week has an instruction focus so you don’t need to already be a good creeker, just have a desire to learn and practice attitude.
Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com
800-58-kayak
970-309-8913
TORRENTS
If you enjoy nailing amazing boofs and surfing huge waves all in the same week, then the Torrents trip is for you! This trip is our most popular by far, and for good reason. Variety is what this trip is all about. You will challenge yourself on steep, continuous, technical creeks pouring off the Andes mountains, as well as on large volume, drop pool Amazonian tributaries. At this level of kayaking, there are an astonishing number of world-class rivers to choose from, so don’t be surprised if this is the best week of paddling of your life.
A bomber roll is an absolute must on this trip. Also, you should be comfortable both play boating in bigger volume rivers and running tight, technical, low volume creeks. You should be comfortable leading runs, catching eddies, ferrying and down river boating on many different Class IV runs. Good examples of runs you should be comfortable on are, The Royal Gorge and Numbers at medium to high water and Pine Creek at low water on the Arkansas River in CO, the Upper Gauley in WV, the Upper Yough in PA, the Lochsa at medium or high water in ID, Giant Gap on the N. Fork American in CA, and the Seymour River in British Columbia.
"We find that most people honestly and realistically evaluate their skills. We choose rivers based on the ability level of the group and the trip signed up for. If an individual has overstated their skills and cannot safely run these rivers, we may have to ask them to sit out a day and enjoy some dry land activities rather than holding back the entire group."
Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com
800-58-kayak
970-309-8913
MUCHA AGUA
The Mucha Agua trip is 1 of the 2 most difficult weeks of whitewater that we offer (the other being our Rios Escondidos trip). We focus on steep technical runs on this trip, so bring your boof and your elbow pads! We will probably throw in a day of big water boating as well, just to cover as many of Ecuador’s classic runs as we can pack into one week. The “Mucha Agua” runs in the Qujios and Tena Valleys tend to be on the longer and more continuous side, so get yourself in shape so that you can get maximum enjoyment out of your week with us. If you love paddling Class IV and V runs around the world, this trip is for you.
The Mucha Agua trip is right for you if you are a competent class IV/V kayaker with a super solid roll, and bomber river running skills. You will be paddling on remote rivers, so Ecuador is definitely NOT the place to be in over your head. Having said that, we love running these trips because we get to hit up many of the classic IV+ granite-strewn creeks of Ecuador. So, if you’re feeling up for Mucha Agua, let’s do it! You should be more than comfortable running (meaning you don’t have to follow anyone down) the following runs with minimal portaging: South Yuba 49 to Bridgeport in CA, Gore Canyon and Bailey in CO, the Raquette River (Stone Valley: Colton to Brown’s Bridge) in NY, Robe Canyon in WA, North Fork Payette in ID, Green Narrows, NC, and Lower Meadow, WVA.
"We find that most people honestly and realistically evaluate their skills. We choose rivers based on the ability level of the group and the trip signed up for. If an individual has overstated their skills and cannot safely run these rivers, we may have to ask them to sit out a day and enjoy some dry land activities rather than holding back the entire group."
Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com
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970-309-8913
RIVERS AND BEACHES
Our Rivers and Beaches trip is the ideal way to experience both slopes of the Andes, while still paddling 7 out of 7 days! After 5 seasons of running successful Rivers and Beaches trips, we are convinced this is the ultimate paddling vacation! No one else in Ecuador offers this unique trip, so join us to have the tropical paddling vacation of a lifetime. You’ll paddle 4 days in the Quijos Valley (our favorite) basing out of our deluxe riverside lodge, and then 3 great days of kayak surfing while enjoying the ocean front location of the hotel we use there. We’ll share our secret point break where we haven’t seen another surfer (board or kayak) in the last 5 years.
No kayak surfing (in the ocean) experience is necessary for this trip, but a bomber roll is a MUST (swimming a mile off shore is not ideal). The point break we go to is very kayaker-friendly so it’s a great place for both an ocean novice and a kayak surfing guru. In addition to a great roll, you also need to have strong Class IV paddling skills (see the Torrents Trip requirements), and a willingness to watch the sunset on the beach after a satisfying day of kayaking!
Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com
800-58-kayak
970-309-8913
A solid, bomber, and excellent roll are required for this trip (participants should have--and use on a regular basis--a combat roll on both sides), as are solid Class IV+/V- paddling skills. This means you are SUPER comfortable in both Class IV+ and Class V rivers. Water levels are a bit more prone to fluctuations in this region, so we want peoples’ skills to be up to par so we can paddle these runs, even if the flows are medium or high. You also need to be in good shape, as 1 run requires an 2 hour hike into the put in (but believe us, it’s worth it, it could be the most amazing run of your life)! The last requirement is that you don’t mind suffering just a bit more than you would on our Torrents or Mucha Agua trip. You should be more than comfortable running (meaning you don’t have to follow anyone down) the following runs with minimal portaging: South Yuba 49 to Bridgeport in CA, Gore Canyon and Bailey in CO, the Raquette River (Stone Valley: Colton to Brown’s Bridge) in NY, Robe Canyon in WA, North Fork Payette in ID, Green Narrows, NC, and Lower Meadow, WVA. Call our office if you want more details about this trip.
"We find that most people honestly and realistically evaluate their skills and we choose rivers based on the ability level of the group and the trip signed up for. If an individual has overstated their skills and cannot safely run these rivers, we may have to ask them to sit out a day or two rather than holding back the entire group."
Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com
800-58-kayak
970-309-8913
Class IV rafting--The Ultimate rafting vacation!
Raft in style with Small World Adventures on thundering Amazonian tributaries such as the Rio Quijos, Jatunyacu and Jondachi. SWA specializes in week-long non-camping rafting adventures. We have new rafting equipment, Hyside self-bailing rafts, 16 years experience running the rivers of Ecuador and some of the most experienced guides anywhere. Internationally (besides Ecuador) we have guided in Honduras, Nepal, Chile, Costa Rica, Norway, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, and of course the all over the USA. The tropical rivers are fantastic, our riverside lodging is luxurious and the food outstanding. Check out our unique itineraries and consider linking one up with a trip to the Galapagos or any of the other popular tours of Ecuador. We can help you arrange everything. These rafting adventures are also excellent for mixed groups of kayakers and rafters who want to run rivers together, but in different boats. Don't you and your family or friends deserve a warm weather vacation this winter?
Here's what Outside Magazine had to say about our rafting trips: "Not all adventures are created equal—especially those that end the day with a hot spring and a cold beer in a riverside cabin. When you're not kicking back on this weeklong trip, you're rafting the Class IV Rio Quijos and Rio Jatunyacu, both tributaries of the Amazon."
Previous rafting experience is helpful but not necessary. Participants just need a willingness to paddle and have a great time.
Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com
800-58-kayak
970-309-8913
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Refine basic skills, take your creeking to the next level, or learn the newest 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: $295/day or $260/person/day for 3 or more people.
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Ecuador, South America is the perfect setting to either learn to kayak or refine your skills while you are just getting started in the sport. The warm water, warm air temperature and abundance of Class I, II, and III rivers in the tropical Napo Valley provide the ideal conditions for aspiring kayakers. SWA instructors adapt our teaching format to each student’s needs and abilities to be sure they learn not only the basics of kayaking, but also advance as far as possible throughout the week. The difficulty of these courses are determined by the first people to sign up, and can vary from a group who has never kayaked before, to a crew of Class II paddlers looking to take their paddling to the next level. Few other beginner courses will introduce you to both large and small volume rivers, as well as explain and practice specific paddling techniques and safety measures unique to each type of paddling. On this trip, expect to log some serious river hours, and still have some time leftover for rainforest hikes, cultural excursions, monkey watching, and other unique-to-the-tropics activities.
Many people have the misconception that Ecuador is only for Class IV or better kayakers, but they are wrong! There are tons of great Class III and IV- rivers in Ecuador, South America and Small World knows where to find them. There truly is something for everyone in Ecuador. 
During our explorations last season, we stumbled upon an amazing region just north of our base in the Quijos Valley and got super excited about running trips here. The rivers, the rainforest, the wildlife, and the people make this an ideal setting in which to paddle world-class whitewater and get a unique Ecuador experience. On this trip, we will spend 4 days basing out of our 