Gael Caride Alvarez
Gael is a tough French born kayaker that grew up in the Basque county of Spain. Gael works as a raft guide in Norwary during the Northern Hemisphere summers and has been on kayaking expeditions all over the world. Gael has made several first descents in Colombia.
Mauricio Arredondo
Mauricio is one of Colombia’s first kayakers and the first kayaker to show the world the rivers of Colombia with posts on Jason Rackley’s “Oregon Kayaking” website. Most of Colombia’s foreign exploratory kayakers were introduced to Colombia by Mauricio. Mauricio has made several first descents of the rivers of Antioquia, but more importantly opened the rest of the world to the rivers of Colombia.
Tyler Bradt
Tyler first traveled to Colombia during the “Oil and Water Project”, a yearlong overland expedition from Alaska to Chile in a fire truck converted to run on vegetable oil and bio-diesel. A photographer and cinematographer, Tyler is one of the worlds’ top expedition kayakers starring in films by Teton Gravity, Young Gun Productions, and River Roots. Tyler’s company, Revolutionary Innovations, produced it’s first film “The Africa Revolutions Tour” in 2009 and will be releasing another film called “Dream Result”. In 2009 Tyler broke his own world record waterfall descent when he ran the 198 feet (60 meters) Palouse falls. Tyler is originally from Stevensville, MT.
Jesse Coombs
Jesse is one of the world’s top expedition kayakers and Ben Stookesberry’s partner in the “Hotel Charley” series of films. Jesse, along with Ben, were finalist for the National Geographic Adventurers of the Year 2007 award. Besides pushing the limits of kayaking and exploring remote rivers all over the world, Jesse is also the founder of the Jesse Coombs Foundation with the mission of positively influencing youth to choose a life free of drugs.
Cesar Díaz
Cesar is the owner of Colombia Rafting in San Gil. Cesar is the current Colombian National Kayak Slalom Champion and has represented Colombia in slalom competitions in Argentina. Cesar has run first descents all over Colombia and has been influential in promoting the sport in Colombia.
Lane Jacobs
Lane is well known for his experience as an expedition kayaker and has run first descents in Africa, North America, and South America. A former U.S. freestyle team member, Lane has starred in kayak films by EP, Young Gun Productions, and River Roots. Lane makes his home in the Columbia River Gorge.
Kees Van Kuipers
Kees is originally from Holland and is a full time kayak bum and one of Europe’s top creek boaters and expedition paddlers. Kees is a member of Fluid Kayak’s European team. During the Northern Hemisphere summers Kees is a kayak instructor and kayak guide in Europe. Kees has paddled all over South America and has made a number of first descents in Colombia and Venezuela. The Colombians love Kees and so will you if you meet him.
Theo Rivaud
Theo, a French man with short dread locks, is a raft guide and safety kayaker in France during the Northern Hemisphere summers and a raft guide and safety kayaker in Colombia during the Northern Hemisphere winters. Theo is a frequent visitor to Colombia and has paddled rivers all over Colombia including several first descents.
Paola Sanchez
Paola Sanchez is one of Colombia’s top female kayakers and part owner of the rafting company “Mariposa Azul.” In 2004 Paola was selected by the Colombian Federation of Canoe to represent Colombia in the kayak slalom competition at the pre-olympics in Athens, Greece. Paola has represented Colombia in kayak slalom competitions in the United States and Brazil. Paola was the female champion of the 2008 Colombian National Slalom competition in San Gil. Paola lives in Tobia, Colombia were she operates her rafting company “Mariposa Azul” and guides clients down the local rivers.
Ben Stookesberry
Ben is the founder of Clear H20 Films and is well known for his kayak expeditions all around the globe and the “Hotel Charley” series of films. Ben has made first descents of rivers and creeks in 12 different countries and was a finalist for the National Geographic Adventurers of the Year 2007. Ben’s famous first descent of the upper Rio Buey is documented in his film, “Hotel Charley Vol 2.” Ben has made several exploratory trips to Colombia.
