Women's Intermediate & Advanced Chile Whitewater Kayak Retreat  |  Pucón, Chile

Who Is This Trip For?

Intermediate and advanced women whitewater kayakers — we have got you covered.

With as few as two participants per skill group, the retreat commits to hiring dedicated transport and instructors to take each group to the river section that matches their exact level. Intermediates building their combat roll and ferry technique head to ideal Class II-III development water. Advanced paddlers charging Class III+ and IV big water get their own lines, their own coach, and their own plan for the day.

No one paddles above their head. No one paddles below it.

Why Choose the Ladies Take Chile - Katey Neuffer Signature Trip?

The Ladies Take Chile trip is for women whitewater kayakers ready to paddle Chile's finest rivers with the confidence of expert female leadership. Whether you're building Class II+ skills toward Class III precision or charging Class IV big water, this trip meets you where you are — and takes you further than you thought possible.

Led by Katey Neuffer — director of the Ladies Take Ocoee and Class V Events — alongside Buena Onda's coaching team, every day delivers real rivers, real coaching, and real skill gains against a backdrop of volcanoes, canyon rivers, and natural hot springs.

"Can my plus one fella join?"

Yes, Jeremy Bugbee & retreat team will be leading a plus one fellas trip separate from the women. This allows the ladies trip to preserve its integrity and for the guys to have a great time doing their own thing.

• Plus ones register under your ladies' registration so you're in the same lodging. There are options to pay separate under same registration.

• Beginner, intermediate and advanced plus ones can register.

  Trip Highlights

• Multi-river access — different sections daily based on skill and flow

• Riverside base retreat comforts — architect quincho, hot tub, lodgings on the Rio Trancura, yoga...

• Volcanic hot springs — soak in natural geothermal pools beneath Villarrica's snowcap

• Elite women's coaching — Katey Nueffer + Buena Onda guides; student-centric and results-focused

• Kayak or Inflatable options — whitewater kayaks, packrafts, or duckies

• Culinary & cultural adventures — artisan ice cream, craft markets, farewell asado

Expert Instructors

Katey Neuffer

Director of the Ocoee Takeover and Class V Events. Elite competitor, coach, and expedition leader. Her instruction is direct, supportive, and built around your progression — not a generic curriculum.

Pucon Kayak Retreat

Chile's resident coaching team with specific local river knowledge. They know every eddy and teaching moment on 15+ Pucon area sections — and adapt your week daily to real group progress.

Why Chile's Lakes District?

Within 90 minutes of the retreat base: 15+ river sections Class II to IV+, multiple daily paddle options, clean pool-drop whitewater ideal for structured coaching, and scenery — active volcanoes, Araucaria forests, basalt canyons, glacial-blue water — that makes every session unforgettable.

Multi-river access = faster learning. Volcanic hot spring environment = unmatched motivation. Professional women's coaching = real skill gains you take home.

  7-Day Itinerary

River sections are selected daily based on flows, weather, and a progression itinerary.

Day 1 (Saturday) — Arrival + Skill Assessment + Fire & Ice Welcome

  INTERMEDIATE

Gear check and equipment fitting, then afternoon skill assessment on the Lower Trancura. Coaches evaluate roll, eddy technique, and river-reading to tailor the week. Evening: welcome asado, river dip, and Fire & Ice cocktail hour at the riverside hot tub.

  ADVANCED

Assessment includes Upper Trancura features and boof evaluation. Coaches set your Class III–IV targets for the week. Evening celebration together.

Day 2 — Middle Liucura to Wave — Skill Development Day

  INTERMEDIATE

Easy Middle Liucura warm-up, then into the Liucura play wave — your primary development zone all week. Coaches work ferry technique, combat rolls, and edge control. Afternoon: appetizers and cocktails at the riverside hot tub.

  ADVANCED

Extended surf sessions, hole rides, and precision ferry drills at the wave. Boof work downstream toward the Trancura confluence. Same hot tub celebration to close the day.

 Day 3 — Rio Liucura

  INTERMEDIATE — Liucura to Confluence (Class III)

Full intermediate run: wave session, progressive boofs and eddy work mid-section, confidence-building float to the Trancura confluence. Your combat roll is getting tested in real current.

  ADVANCED — Liucura to Quelhue Bridge (Class III+)

Past the confluence to Quelhue Bridge — Tinkerbell Wall ferry, extended boofs, technical eddy sequences. Evening: hot tub, appetizers, and cocktails riverside.

Day 4 — Rio San Pedro Big Water Day

Early departure for the two-hour drive south. The San Pedro pours out of glacier-fed Lago Rininahue as impossibly clear turquoise water — then builds to its most legendary rapids.

  INTERMEDIATE

Raft, kayak or duckie support for the big drops. Charge Class II–III sections independently; coaches position at Tsunami and the White Room. Optional kayak attempt at Tsunami if roll is solid.

  ADVANCED

Full send in kayaks: Tsunami, the White Room, the Dam Rapid. Big-water line selection, consequence management, and some of the best wave surfing in South America.

Evening return to base.

Day 5 — Multisport Day (Weather-Dependent)

Cold or rainy:

Natural geothermal hot springs — pools nestled in native forest, some with waterfalls overhead. Soak, relax, and recharge.

Hot day:

Lava field hike near Volcan Villarrica — ancient lava flows, dramatic waterfalls, crystal-blue natural pools and Lagunas swimming. Then Pucon town tour, artisan shopping, culinary adventure, and artisan ice cream.

Day 6 — Rio Fuy Road Trip + Craft Market

Depart early for this full day event. Lunch stop at a Lago Neltume headwaters of the Rio Fuy to explore a riverside crafts market near the Argentina border — hand-woven textiles, Mapuche jewelry, regional foods. Then the Lower Fuy: A class III to IV section full of boofs, eddies, and pristine blue water rapids. Development skills happen along the way down river. Both tracks, full instructor support.

  Day 7 (Saturday) — Lower Trancura + Farewell Asado

Home-river send-off on the Lower Trancura putting in right at your base camp. One of the more challenging sections of the week with opportunities to step it up. Coaches deliver personal takeaways for each paddler.

Afternoon: massage, hot tub, and the Farewell Asado. Grilled meats, Chilean wine, river stories, and a toast to the women and the week.

  What's Included

• 7 nights accommodation at the Rio Trancura riverside base

• All meals including welcome and farewell asados

• Daily coaching by Katey Nueffer + Buena Onda professional guides

• All river transport and logistics

• Kayak or inflatable rental + safety equipment (helmet, PFD, paddle)

• Hot tub access at the retreat base

• Multisport day (hot springs or lava field hike + Pucon tour)

• Day 6 Rio Fuy road trip and crafts market stop

  Not Included

• International flights to/from Chile (Temuco — ZCO)

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Wet suit / dry top (available to rent — $12/day)

• Personal spending, tips, and optional massage

  Ready to Paddle Chile?

Spots are limited. Women's trips fill fast.

Note: The itinerary adapts to group skill level, river flows, and weather conditions to ensure the best learning and paddling experience.

Day 1 (SAT) - Airport Arrival, Hot Tub, Outfitting, Welcome Orientation, Appetizers

Guests arrive at Temuco Airport (ZCO) between 11 AM to 5 PM and transfer to Pucon Kayak Retreat on the Rio Trancura. After settling in, participants meet instructors for gear outfitting and trip orientation. If time permits there is a warm-up paddle on the Middle Trancura River. Property tour, check-ins, evening welcome dinner and retreat orientation.

Day 2 (SUN) – Boat Outfitting and Middle Liucura (skills assessments) to the Wave Skill Progression

• Advanced paddlers may have opt to begin at wave.

• The Middle Liucura is a beginner to intermediate section offering proper medium for instruction to cover kayaking fundamentals and assessments.

• The Liucura Wave is the area's best park and play freestyle feature and also offers development ferrying, attainments and quality eddy lines.

Morning kayak theory class, boat outfitting, and Middle Liucura to the Wave. Liucura River offers a perfect environment for developing Class II–III skills such as ferrying, eddy turns, and boat control. Instructors provide student-focused coaching while paddlers gain confidence in dynamic river features. After the paddle, enjoy a relaxed visit into Pucon town for local exploration and ice cream before returning to the riverside retreat.

Day 3 (MON) – Lower Liucura to Confluence (intermediate) or Quelhue (advanced)

The region's best intermediate to advanced development section is full of class III quality eddies to pierce, challenge moves, boofs, power ferries, and the park and play wave. Intermediates take out above the most challenging rapid Las Leonas. Advanced kayakers paddle additional 1.5 kilometers of action to the Quelhue Bridge takeout.

• Development focuses on piercing eddies, scouting, ferrying aggressive wave and hitting combat roll.

• Advanced kayakers may work on attainments and freestyle.

Today’s run on the Lower Trancura introduces exciting wave trains and technical features perfect for intermediate progression. Guides support participants with river reading, line selection, and confidence building in bigger whitewater. Return to the retreat in the afternoon for recovery time, hot tub relaxation, and a shared dinner overlooking the river.

Day 4 (TUE) – Rio San Pedro Big Water

Drive 180 degrees around Volcano Villarrica to a new drainage to paddle the spectacular Rio San Pedro. Known for its turquoise big water and scenic canyon landscapes. Paddle out of a lake estuary into the river flowing to the Pacific as rapids build from slow current to giant towering hay stacks with eddies.

• Intermediates will be challenged just running hitting their lines and combat rolls with rescue support. Remember to celebrate.

• Advanced kayakers will love playing in the giant eddy lines or on the fly surfing and freestyle.

Day 5 (WED) – Multisport + Pucon Tour & Culinary Adventre

Pending Weather - Hot Springs or Lava Field Cool Pools

• Cold day and the group goes to a favorite hot springs for the morning.

• Hot day and the group ventures to a nearby lava field flowing waterfalls and lagunas along the flanks of Volcano Villarrica to hike and cool off.

Pucon Tour & Dinner

• Check out favorite spots in Pucon for shopping, crafts, hanging out, people watching and dinner.

• Popular: the hat and poncho store, peninsula, la playa, artesan ice cream, craft beer, crafts market, and dinner location to be determined.

Day 6 (THU) - Lower Fuy & Andean Crafts Market Lunch

The group will drive to a new volcano drainage (Mocho) to the Andean border town of Neltume to see the headwaters of the Rio Fuy. Lago Neltume hosts a convenient crafts market and lunch spot to fuel up for paddling.

• Advanced kayakers may hike into the lower Middle Fuy Canyon for an additional 3 KM of boof fest rapids.

• Intermediate kayakers will put on the Lower Fuy for an action packed start to glorious blue water rapids.

Day 6 (FRI) – Lower Trancura or Palguin Option + Hot Tub/Cool Pool + Massage + ASADO CELEBRATION

• Intermediate kayakers put on right at the retreat property for their biggest action yet. 10 KM of action packed rapids.

• Advanced kayakers have the option to run the world famous Upper Palguin water fall canyon or go with the Trancura group.

Riverside Events + Farewell Celebration

The riverside activities will be fired up for an afternoon of relaxing and festiv activities.

• 45 minute massages... sign up for the massages in the yoga dome.

• Hot tub and cool... folks tend to go in and out of the hot tub and river with appetizers and cocktails.

• David loves to challenge folks to bacci ball on the terraces.

• In the evening, celebrate the week with a traditional Chilean Asado barbecue, riverside gathering, and hot tub session.

Day 8 – Pack & Airport Departures (11 AM to 5 PM)

After a hearty breaks guests pack and transfer to Temuco Airport.