San Jose, Tarlac || Whitewater Kayaking

Destination: Whitewater Kayaking with Rapid Stream
Location:  San Jose, Tarlac
When: Aug 29, 2011
Departure from Manila: 6:00 am
Travel Forecast: There's a storm and we don't care! We're goin' Kayaking!

It was cold and wet. The perfect weather for whitewater kayaking!

We arrived in Tarlac at around 8am with Bryan (the leader of the pack or rather Rapid Stream) introducing kayaking basics and the worst case scenario and I mean "worst case scenario" talk to the group lol. 

that's Bryan holding the paddle

After signing the waiver and a 30 minute talk, we got our helmets and vests and we were ready.

Top-load! 30-40 min adventure ride.

That's our jeepney ride going to the river. Watch out for those branches!

and then it stated raining. HARD!

We were all wet even before we started kayaking and you know what?  I wanna do it again! It was so much fun. Hah! Don't say try it, Do it!

getting paired up with our guides

A rubber boat fits 3, save a spot for your guide. It's a 2.5hr adrenaline pumping ride along Camaling-Bulsa Rivers! 


There are different grades of river or white water difficulty. During our trip, with the help of Storm Mina, the river promises Class I - which is  relatively flat with small waves and no serious obstacles for the most part, and Class II rapids- with some rough water and rocks which as per Wikipedia, requires some maneuvering and basic paddling skills, and paddle we did! 


This is considered a beginners course, but if you prefer Class III & IV rapids, rejoice and be merry because Rapid Stream knows just the river for you. Call em up and book a trip!

Pleasantly surprised. I didn't know Tarlac has such an enchanting view

say hello to "eddy", go white water kayaking and find out what it means :) no cheating!

water was a meter deep

Carnage!

Who would have though that capsizing can be fun :) Just remember, don't panic, hold on to your paddle, and grab on to something. We tried surf kayaking and oh my lord, did my arms hurt after. lol When your guide says paddle hard, you paddle hard! Cause guess what, the one upfront is the only one that paddles for a group of three so yah, you're it! I can't say i liked it, man I got tired real fast I wanted out!

some white water

We were too busy having fun and trying to stay afloat so pardon the shots, these are the only one's I managed to take :)


Go try it out! Visit:
Rapid Stream
RapidStreamEcotours@gmail.com
+63926-657-7187
Cost: about Php 1,800/pax


Ta-ta :D