Reason #8 that we love Ecuador

Reason #8: No bad bugs!

This is a friendly Ecuadorian bug

Believe it or not there are very few bothersome bugs where we kayak in Ecuador. My first trip to Ecuador, I came armed with bug nets, long pants and sleeves, DEET, and all the anti-bug measures one would expect to have to take when visiting the Amazonian rainforests of Ecuador. But, I was very pleased to find I could put all that away. Sure, we see tons of butterflies, beetles, and larger preying mantis-type bugs, but I think I've seen a total of 5 mosquitos in my 8 years in Ecuador. No see-ums are about the only thing you have to worry about on the rivers here, but those are easily avoidable. The Quijos Valley really is a paradise in many ways including no bad bugs to worry about!

Happy kayakers on the Quijos River NOT worrying about bugs

Unhappy Don on the Middle Kings trying to eat his soup before the mosquitos do



I can't wait to get back to the lodge and to put away my bug net!

www.smallworldadventures.com

Reason #9 that we love Ecuador

Reason #9 we love Ecuador:
Memo and his awesome shuttling!
After spending an entire summer trying to figure out shuttle logistics of who is driving where, which vehicle can take how many boats and people, and how to happily deal with an 8-hour each way shuttle, we really, really came to appreciate having all that taken care of in Ecuador--Memo you rock!
So, whether you are ripping up a sweet surf wave on the Quijos River,

Or boofing your way down the Oyacachi, you'll always be happy to find Memo and our Sprinter waiting for us at the take out.


So come join us this winter and let us take care of all your shuttling needs:)
(Oh, yeah, we also have the best kayakers' lodge in the tropics, know the runs of Ecuador super well, and just know how to show you a good time in general).

To learn more, visit http://www.smallworldadventures.com/

Top 10 Reasons We Love Ecuador--#10

So after spending the last 3 months paddling in California, Don and I have come up with our "Top 10 Reasons we love Ecuador" list. We had a lot of time to think during shuttles and such, and we both realized that we missed Ecuador a lot.

Calfornia was awesome, to be sure, but it did make us realize just how spoiled we are down in Ecuador.



Since we are back at work now, and I only get about 5 minute breaks at a time, I'm going to have to do 1 reason per blog...



So, here you are:



REASON #10 that we love Ecuador



The longest hike to the put in is the Lower Jondachi; and, while mud covered, it only takes 30 minutes! None of this 13 hour crap!

This is the nice, pleasant hike into the Jondachi

This is the not so pleasant 13 mile hike into the Middle Kings. Boy was I missing the mud at this point.

And when you get to the Jondachi, you are rewarded with great scenery

and great rapids

http://www.smallworldadventures.com/

If you want to read about Don and my travels in California, check out my new blog. I'm in the process of updating it with the runs we did this summer

http://www.kayakingkalifornia.blogspot.com/

Help the Topo River!

Ecuador's rivers are under heavy pressure right now from a government that is eager for development. There is a long list of rivers in Ecuador that the government is looking to dam to generate hydro power (if you've read this blog before, you know that the classic Jondachi River is another one of them). Now, I'm not arguing that all dams and river projects are bad and should be stopped, but they should be well thought out and planned, taking into consideration the cost to loss ratio, respecting national park and ecological reserve boundaries, impact on local communities, etc...Unfortunately, many of the projects being proposed in Ecuador right now are NOT doing these things. They are moving ahead full steam with little consideration to the local population or the environment.

The Topo River, near the town of Banos, is currently under fire. Besides being an awesome river for kayaking (it's 9 miles of great, continuous Class IV+ and V), this river forms part of the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor, which was recognized as a “Gift to the Earth” by the WWF in December, 2002, for its outstanding biodiversity and habitat.

Here's what you can do to help:

I've just gotten this email from Matt Terry who is down in Ecuador working his butt off on behalf of the rivers:

It is expected that the Ecuadorian government will issue the environmental license for the Topo Hydroelectric Project in the coming days. This will allow the project to begin construction, despite widespread local opposition.

Please help us to voice your concern about the decision to develop the Topo Hydroelectric Project and persuade the President and government decision-makers in Ecuador to maintain the integrity of the Topo River and the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor. Urge them to consider other alternatives for developing secure and renewable energy for Ecuador, and provide permanent protection for the Topo River to keep it as a wild, free-flowing river for the enjoyment of future generations.

Go to this link to send your letter:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2486/t/8800/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1070

Please forward this message to your friends so that this important initiative will have more impact.

Thanks for your help in keeping the Topo River wild and free-flowing!

Regards,

Matt Terry
Executive Director
Ecuadorian Rivers Institute
PO Box 17-07-9762
Quito - Ecuador
TEL 011-593-62-887-438
CEL 011-593-94-448-277
FAX 011-593-62-888-888
USA/TEL 970-626-6022
USA/FAX 888-353-9849
info@kayakecuador.com
www.kayakecuador.com

May's Winners in the American Whitewater Contest

This could be you next winter...help suppor American Whitewater for your chance to win a kayaking trip in Ecuador!

The Small World Adventures/American Whitewater membership drive contest is coming along quite well. Thanks to all of you have become members and made donations over the past month.


Congratulations to May's winners, and thanks for supporting American Whitewater!


To see May's winners, click the link below.





http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Article/view/articleid/30429/display/full/





If you aren't a member of AW, sign up now! You could win one of many monthly prizes, AND you'll be eligible to win the grand prize of a kayaking trip in Ecuador with us.

www.smallworldadventures.com

www.americanwhitewater.org

Kayak Ecuador--win a free paddling trip this winter with Small World Adventures

Ever wanted to kayak in South America?
Why not check out Ecuador?
Even better, why not enter to win a free kayaking trip in Ecuador?


This summer could be your chance to win a week of kayaking in Ecuador with Small World Adventures. American Whitewater and Small World Adventures are teaming up this summer to build AW's member list to a formidable force that can effect real change at the national level. There has never been a more important time to have a strong paddlesports voice. With the new Obama administration, there will be significant legislation on topics that will directly affect the paddling world--just a few of which are, wild and scenic designations, forms of renewable energy (including decisions on the future of hydropower), and protection of roadless areas. We feel this is a crucial time for "strength in numbers."


How does it work?
First, this year you have to be a member of American Whitewater to win. AW needs a strong member list now, so it would be great to show the government how many people are behind this organization. A membership gets you 1 entry into the lottery. Then, for each additional $10 you donate, you'll get 1 more entry into the lottery. So, say you become a member and then also donate $50 to AW, you'll get a total of 6 entries (1 for your membership, and 5 for your $50).

We will pick the winner on October 15th. If you win the kayaking trip with Small World Adventures, you can join any of our trips in the 2009/2010 season. We offer Class II through Class V kayaking trips (and rafting trips too). Some of our trips focus on river running, some creeking, and others playboating, so hopefully we'll have something you are interested in.

To learn more about our trips, check out www.smallworldadventures.com

So, don't waste anytime--the contest started on May 1st--get out there and show your support for our rivers.

Visit www.americanwhitewater.org to become a member.

www.smallworldadventures.com

Small World Adventures joins the YouTube world!

So, we've finally gotten on the YouTube bandwagon--check out our first few videos.
Lots more to come, so keep checking in with us and now with YouTube.