The 1st Mexican Packrafting Course in Chiapas!
Story by Salvador Morales Arriaga. Photos by Steve Fassbinder.
In 2024, at the request of Rod Alfonso, our Chiapas, Mexico, packrafting course partner, we ran a local’s only Learn to Packraft course on the Xanil River. Twelve packrafters joined our crew of four guides, and we taught them the ropes. It was one of the best experiences of our lives, all the guides agreed. The enthusiasm and appreciation showed by the clients made us want to return. So we are in 2025. We’ll be leading both a Level 2/3 La Venta River Expedition Course for folks from the USA Jan. 25-Feb. 2, but also a local’s course Jan. 11-13. Salvador Morales Arriaga, aka “Chava,” submitted this post about his experience on that first local’s course. Steve took this series of photos below of Chava running one of the Xanil River rapids.
My First Experience Packrafting in Mexico
From the moment I received the invitation to join the first Mexican Packrafting Course, I knew I had to seize the opportunity. Why? Because for the first time, advanced instructors from the U.S. would share their rafting knowledge with us local beginners. And I live in Chiapas. And I’m always game to try something new! Yes!
My recent knee surgery concerned me, as I had gone a year without much sports activity. I worried it would impact my performance during the course. But still decided to attend. I’m glad I did. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I regained the motivation missing in my life and got active again!
Personally, I am very comfortable with adventure sports like rock climbing and mountaineering. But rapids and rivers intimidate me.
“Is this sport for me?” I asked myself.
But from day 1, I felt comforted knowing the other 12 people on the course shared the same eagerness and motivation.
Day 1: The Journey Begins
We initiated our journey on a Saturday morning at Rodrigo’s house, where we all met at 5a.m. to enjoy a warm cup of coffee while chatting about the adventure ahead. Then we drove from San Cristobal de las Casas towards the ecotourism park, Cascadas de Agua Azul. Over five hours, the landscape gradually transformed from higher-altitude wooded areas to a warm jungle environment.
Before we knew it, there we stood, packrafts in hand in front of warm, turquoise waters of the Xanil River, awed by the beautiful hues of blue.
Once we arrived to river, we gathered to listen to a short welcome speech from the Four Corners Guides’s instructors, Lizzy, Thad, Tyler and Steve. Their dedication and enthusiasm for the sport came through loud and clear. I knew a grand adventure awaited.
Learning About the Rafts
We began by getting to know the colorful Alpacka rafts that we would use throughout the weekend. Tyler explained the proper methods of packing and unpacking our rafts and how to take extra care of them, such as making sure to always protect the zipper, inflating the raft correctly, and how to put our personal belongings safely inside the raft.
After preparing the individual equipment, we walked upstream a couple of kilometers, passing through the Agua Azul community.
After 40 minutes of walking, we arrived at the starting area where for the first time I would navigate the raft that was assigned to me. Three guides divided us into groups of four, with Lizzy and Rod helping all the groups all day. I was lucky enough to be part of the team led by Steve, one of the most experienced instructors in the world.
Steve taught me many things, starting with how to self rescue and do assisted rescues for my partners. And moving onto the position I needed to take to “ferry across the river,” which means going from one side of the river to the other. And, he taught me various ways to paddle using forward and sweep strokes.
Most important, he taught our group how to identify dangerous strainers and how to catch eddies in the currents, a key technique to navigate the river safely and in control. Without realizing it, I completely forgot my worries about the course and began to enjoy every moment without fear.
Big Drops & The End of Day 1!
We spent the day taking some pretty sizable drops, reflecting the nature of this river full of waterfalls of all sizes. And this gave us the opportunity to practice passive and defensive whitewater swimming and wet re-entry (self rescue) back into our boats. Sometimes the team helped recover the rafts (but not mine 🤣). By having professional and down-to-earth instructors, we were able to learn the basics in a dynamic and fun way.
We finished this first session with a lot of adrenaline, but also hunger and the best kind of exhaustion. We set up camp on the local basketball course and replenished our energy, excited to discover much more the next day.
Day 2: Expanding Skills
We spend day 2 practicing skills we learned the previous day, learning from our mistakes. Being more confident, I caught more eddies and took higher drops. I like pushing myself when I get the opportunity. And Four Corners Guides gave me that opportunity with strong safeguards.
When taking a rapid we talked about “momentum.” I understood this to signify the instant when one flows with the waterway, in a natural but wild way, connecting the paddle to the river, always alert and courageous. I make decisions instantly as I think: “Will it be the best line or the worst?” But it doesn’t matter if you’re already in it! Just paddle, paddle, paddle!
Engaging With the Community
One of my favorite parts of the course was towards the end of the second day. While in the final zone, the children from the local community were waiting for our arrival to ask us if they, too, could get on or paddle the rafts.
These fit, active children amazed me. They coexist with the river as great swimmers and explorers, so excited to learn a little bit about packrafting. They had a lot of fun!
The local communities around the rivers of Chiapas use basic rafts as a means of transportation and for fishing daily. By offering packrafting courses in small communities, members can learn proper safety techniques and use of equipment to avoid risking their lives as much as possible. With more professional instructors visiting these communities, the lives of locals, their safety skills and knowledge of river travel could conceivably significantly improve.
The Future of Chiapan Packrafting
Thanks so much to the folks at Four Corners Guides and to Rod Alfonso for introducing a new passion to my life. I fell in love with packrafting and will continue to help grow the packrafting community here in Chiapas.
I feel hopeful about the future of packrafting in Chiapas, especially with Rodrigo’s experience and determination to inform more locals about the sport.
“When I first discovered the sport, I realized how much potential there was to explore the natural areas of Chiapas via packrafting,” Rod explained to me. “My friend and I went on an expedition without much experience and he actually had an accident. At this moment, I saw how important it was to packraft safely and learn proper techniques with courses.” So he asked Lizzy and Steve to visit Chiapas and teach the locals.
Conclusion: The future of Chiapan Packrafting Looks Bright!
By working together, we will be able to share our acquired knowledge and techniques with locals in Chiapas so that they can enjoy the sport to its fullest. We are also planning on providing equipment to the communities whenever possible.
When asked what he enjoyed most about the experience with Four Corners Guides, Rod added: “I was thrilled with the initial response from the group. In less than a week of announcing the course, twelve people were already very excited and committed. Many of them ended up saying that it was one of the best experiences of their lives.”
Another course participant, Jesús Lara, told me the best part of this course was learning various packrafting techniques while learning how to get more comfortable in the water.
“I enjoyed everything, including the techniques and descents,” he explained. “But most importantly I was able to let go of my fears of being in rapid rivers.”
So Where Do I go From Here?
By the end of the course, I also felt very comfortable being in the packraft among the rapids. I concentrated on putting in my best efforts while enjoying every day to the maximum. Thanks to my eagerness to learn quickly and focus on improving, Lizzy and Steve, founders of Four Corners Guides, invited me to train with them on a continuous basis. This will allow me to join their future expeditions in Mexico, which is a great opportunity for me to continue to improve my skills.
Since receiving the news that I can train as a guide, I have been fortunate enough to go out on more expeditions with the support of Rodrigo. Recently, with a group of kayakers, we went on a trip for a few days to the Shumuljá and Tulijá rivers, where I was able to practice in Class III rapids and scout out Class IV rapids. During these adventurous days, I further challenged myself in the water while trusting my skills and knowledge gained from the course with Four Corners Guides. Packrafting has truly given me the opportunity to transform my fears into strengths and I am very excited to share the sport with more local communities here in Chiapas!
