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I realize it was the dry season (which is why we usually pick Feb./march to go to the beach in Costa Rica) but on the trip in 2005 the rivers were much higher -- I mistakenly thought that was normal.
I spoke with the owner after the week was over, and he said "Oh, we'll split the group -- even if it's just for one person -- and take any COMPETENT paddlers on class III/IV instead." He went on to say he'd spoken with the lead guide who told him (keep in mind the owner is NOT a kayaker himself) that no one in our group was competent and that it was "purely a safety issue."
There were two of us (out of 8) who had signed on for class III/IV instead of class II/III, and we were both clearly competent enough to paddle the harder stuff (hell, I TEACH on class IV sometimes--and, being a woman, I'm not one to overstate my skills). Though it might have been sort of a safety issue because in my opinion a couple of their guides weren't as skilled as I was. I think it was either a case of a lazy head guide, or a bit of sexism (most Costa Rican men believe that women truly are the weaker sex, and the guides were all Costa Rican).
I don't know if I'll return to kayaking CR, especially since they seem to be damming up all the good runs, but if I do, I'll check into another outfitter (and try to go later in the season). |
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Yes, it was the dry season, but . . . New 
BoaterTalk 
