On 1. June 2013, around 280 happy people got together and made it happen: a massive rafting event to bring attention and protection to the río Jatunyacu in Tena.
It sounded cool, so we joined them. Of course.
Located in Tena, Río Jatunyacu is one of the few rivers in Ecuador which are clean and accessible to tourists. This makes it a perfect location for adventurous and sustainable tours.
But, recently, locals reported illegal exploitations of stone material from the river. Which means, an immense number of trucks and working machines are digging the river, making the water dirty, destroying the natural watercourse and habitats of animals.
So, rafting being the main sport in this area, the impact of uncontrolled exploitation would be fatal.
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| Trucks and working machines at the río Jutanyacu |
Reacting to the circumstances, the Fundación Rio Napo, which dedicates itself to protecting natural and tourist areas, (www.facebook.com/fundacionrionapo) organised, together with some rafting agencies from all Ecuador, a massive event. People were invited by Facebook to participate the "Jatunyacu Rafting Masivo", an event to bring attention to the river Jatunyacu and its need for protection.
Feeling lucky, four members of the Gulliver Team packed their swimsuits and sunscreen and hopped into the bus to Tena.
In Tena, some four or five busses full of smiling faces brought us and some 280 people to the point, where the rafting would start. It was only then, when we realised, how big this happening really was. Around 37 rafting boats, each of them carrying 7 rafters plus a guide, floated around, ready to start. They were surrounded by lots of kayaks, even a dog with a lifejacket was running around and barking happily.
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| Some of the rafters, giving the paddles time to relax before it goes further downstream. |
After brief paddling instructions and some what-if-explainings, one by one, the boats took their way down-river to the first rapids.
The river just didn't know what was happening! Full of joy, the river flowed by, offering the almost 40 rubber boats countless rapids and waves, making the rafters go "woohooo". Some of them took a dip into the fresh water (voluntarily - or not! haha), thus floating around and hanging lazily in their lifejackets until they were pulled back in to the boat. Now and then, the rafters had time to put their paddles into the boat, relax and enjoy the sun and the beautiful scenery of the jungle.
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| Some of "Team Gulliver", all having a blast |
As every group had his own way of expressing their fun, you could hear different types of shouts, screams, songs, etc.. Some played "we will rock you" with their paddles, while the guide was dancing, some smacked their paddles onto the water, making .. well.. smacking.. sounds, and ours was a simple but strong "yeah", followed by laughter.
All in all, it's been a great day, full of joy, fun, action and good people. So if you happen to be in Tena, or plan to pay it a visit, jump into your swimsuit and shorts, cover your skin in sunscreen and get yourself into the rapids of this oh-so-beautiful río Jatunyacu, which will be a protected area soon, hopefully.
The photos were kindly given to me by Rafting Ecuador (www.facebook.com/rafting.ecuador);
the information about the río Jatunyacu and the exploitations are from Fundación Río Napo (www.facebook.com/fundacionrionapo),
Thanks and cheers, Becky
