Article by Shannon Farley
The exciting, adrenaline-charged whitewater rafting and kayaking competition of the Chorro Race 2015 comes again to Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast on Feb. 21 to 22.
The second annual event is organized by the Quepos Whitewater and Adventure Association and sponsored by TEVA. The competition in the Chorro Canyon of the Naranjo River, by the Manuel Antonio National Park, will have both whitewater kayaking and four-person team whitewater rafting races and slalom events.
On Feb. 21 there will be training sessions on the river and an evening concert at the race campgrounds. The competition runs all day on Feb. 22. The registration fee is $20 per person, which includes overnight camping near the river, transport to/from the river on race day with teams’ equipment, an evening concert on Feb. 21, and an event shirt.
The 2014 championship rafting team “Savegre,” led by David Orozco, will defend their champion title in the four-person rafting competition. Team Savegre is sponsored by Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living eco-community, which is located close by, near Matapalo Beach. Orozco, who formerly worked as a commercial rafting guide on the Naranjo and Savegre rivers, recently joined the team at Portasol.
“We like supporting our community, especially in events for young people that involve sports,” said Portasol CEO Guillermo Piedra, who enjoys rafting. “I love going whitewater rafting. It is so much fun and the best way for me to disconnect from my work, and to relax. I especially like the Savegre River, known as the cleanest in all of Central America. It is so beautiful with nature.”
Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living community is one of the best places to stay near Manuel Antonio for spectators attending the Chorro Race 2015. The residential community has comfortable and luxurious Costa Rica vacation rentals, and is a short drive from the Naranjo River. Portasol staff can help arrange rafting trips on the Naranjo and Savegre rivers for guests.
A favorite for whitewater rafting in Costa Rica, the Naranjo River flows from the Talamanca Mountains above Quepos and Manuel Antonio, passing through several narrow gorges – like the Chorro – on its way to the Pacific Ocean. Exciting and challenging class III to V rapids make for a fun day of rafting. The nearby Savegre River is another popular whitewater rafting destination, offering easier rafting and fun river tubing trips in class II and III rapids.
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