Sunshine, exciting whitewater, clear blue rivers, toucans, fresh coffee, morning yoga, Latin dancing, Caribbean style rice and beans!  We LOVE our annual winter whitewater kayaking and yoga trips in beautiful Costa Rica!  This year we had 23 ladies over two trips join us on our adventures.  We had a wonderful mix of international paddling chicas from as far away as France, Germany and Canada, as well as from across the US – Idaho, Cali, Alaska, Wisconsin, Missouri, North Carolina and more.  Some of my favorite highlights were paddling the Lower Pacuare and staying at Jungle Camp with both groups, teaching full yoga classes every morning, drinking coconut water straight from the coconut (called pipa fria in CR), learning the choreography to my new favorite song Danza Kuduro.

Working with Anne, Emily, Walter, Arnaldo, Dixon and Jacob was a blast and I’m grateful that Stef, Jesper and Tom came along to take photos of the Lower Pacuare.  In between trips I was able to get some fun paddling in on the Super Pascua and the Upper Pacuare as well as some aquatic Zumba classes in our family compound pool.  Yes, there are so many possibilities when you go to Costa Rica for a month!

Here’s what our ladies had to say this year …

“Just got back from an AMAZING trip to Costa Rica with the Girls at Play!! Words really can’t describe how awesome it was… 6 days of whitewater kayaking, gorgeous scenery, fantastic instructors, new friends, delicious food, and lots and lots of laughter!! My thanks to Anna Levesque, Emily Shanblatt and Anne Bayer for their instruction, patience, and rescues!!”  – Sarah Watson, MO

“I thank each and every one of the fantastic women on the Girls at Play Costa Rica trip for their support and belief in me, even when I was in doubt.” – Sarah McEneany, WI

“I thought the trip was amazing! You and Emily are great leaders, I love Em’s energy and enthusiasm but she was also super professional and great at speaking to the group.  As for you,
what’s not to love, you always said what I needed to hear and I appreciated it. The Yoga was amazing of course!”  – Meagan Potter, Ontario, Canada

“Just wanted to say thank you for a great week of rivers, yoga and overall vacation.  I had so much fun, learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. ” – Nicole Bernadine, WI

We want to thank all of you who joined us this year!!  Here are some highlight photos from our trips.  You can view more on our Facebook page.  Dates for 2014 should be up soon so you join us on our next Costa Rica adventure!  And, remember that you don’t have to wait until 2014 to join us for an amazing adventure.  We have plenty of whitewater, SUP and yoga offerings in Asheville, NC all spring, summer and fall that help you build your skill, your confidence and your Pura Vida!