Hometown Throwdown in Costa Rica goes off huge!

Photos

Now here is a story of a real made from scratch event for hometown paddlers that was a blast! I was asked by Stanley and his friend Jeff from the Serapequi River if I would come to their river and help them make a hole on Friday and do a competition on Saturday. The Jackson Kayak crew saddled up in Mario’s River Van and all headed over on Thursday night. A big track hoe was there at 8am on Friday and one major sunburn later, at dinner time, we had channeled the low water into a flume on river left and had a not very good hole. We needed more time to finish. Dane and Nick were also there as we moved the countless bowling ball shaped rocks around. During the course of the day, we had three good holes, but in the process of “tweaking” them, the “hole” thing came tumbling down in a thunder of rolling rocks. Unlike in the USA, a track hoe doubles as an amusement ride and the designers got to ride in the bucket doing the “spinning ride”, the “splash down”, and the “bumper car”. I would go as far as to say that the whole process of making the hole wasn’t particularly safe as 10 ton rocks were being dropped right next to Dane while he was in the water, and then lifted back over his head. This would be a long term occupational hazard. At least 20 local paddlers hung out all day to watch the section of river in Front of Pozo Azul rafting operation being turned into a whitewater park. We slept in their tent campsite and ate a 4 hour dinner. Ordered at 5 pm, drinks came at 6, dinner came at 8, the bill came at 9. They offered us the “Staff plate” for cheap and it was quite good.
In the “pro class” that anyone could enter (Mario and 4 other Ticos did), Nick won, followed by Mario!, and then EJ. In the Women’s class, Emily won, followed by Jessie Stone, and then Ruth Gordon. Madrigal has our results from the Tico class and I will have to get it to post them for you. With names like Bravillo etc. I’ll not likely get them right from my memory.
On Saturday morning, a crowd of over 1,000 people showed up, with two TV stations, a radio station playing loud music, and about local paddlers (Ticos) and 10 “Gringos”. We ran the freestyle event from start to finish and had both prelims and finals and it went off without a hitch. On the shore there were people BBQing, families playing, and making a day out of the event. Tons of kids had their eyes on the kayaks and a full on kids clinic popped up with Ruth, Jud, Nick, Dane, Mario, and more putting kids in boats in the clear “pool” which was a huge eddy. One kid randomly did a roll and shocked everyone.
Roger Madrigal (competed in the Olympics for slalom) was there and brought the number bibs. Everyone seemed to have a great time and they packed up pretty early to get ready for “Home Town Throwdow” #2 at the Pejibaje River near Turrialba. This event is a Mario production, one he does annually. It is another local event, no entry fee, no prizes, just for fun. Mario’s theory is that he has a group of kids that he paddles with (17-25 years old) that love playboating and gain a lot from the experience of getting together for a “Pick up game” on the river. These are the same kids that one day could represent Costa Rica at the World Championships or the World Cup. He wants to make sure that those who show up are their because they love it. That they do! It is Sunday morning at 7:12 am and we will be heading to the event at 9am “tico time” meaning at about 10am or so. Mario put the word out about the event and it he says that even more people will show up to this one. 40+ paddlers and 1,000+ spectators all hanging out for the day, arriving on busses and vans, and bringing food, families, and spending the day there. Cool stuff!
Mario is an incredible ambassador for kayaking in Costa Rica. His kayak school/tour company (Costa Rica Kayak Tours) is a great way to get to know him as he works with Rio Tropicales for lodging and logistics making the best of Costa Rica available in one stop. We certainly are enjoying our trip with Mario.
Time for breakfast! Pintogallo, huevos, a batido, and awesome café’ con leche at Soda Burbujas (Hannah’s place- a local lady that I have known from the early 90’s when I was coming here to train slalom)

EJ