Darcy Gaechter grew up skiing and adventuring in Aspen, Colorado. In 1996, she became a river guide and has been guiding kayaking and rafting trips ever since. Darcy is the first and only woman to kayak the Amazon River from source to sea. Check her adventure/memoir about the experience-Amazon Woman and learn what it took for her to shed all the “supposed to’s” in life in order to follow her passions. For the past fifteen years, she has been considered one of the world’s best female kayakers and one of the most accomplished expedition kayakers. She has won whitewater kayaking races throughout the world, and has participated in and led kayaking expeditions in 19 different countries. In addition, she has been a kayak, raft and adventure travel guide for two decades and has owned and operated two kayak guiding businesses. Of all the countries she has paddled in, Ecuador is hands down her favorite.  She’s spent countless hours on the rivers she loves in Ecuador, has notched a few first descents and even wrote The Kayaker’s Guide to Ecuador. Check out her website to hear some recent interviews about the Amazon expedition!

What year did you start kayaking?  1996

Advice for people coming to Ecuador?  Even if you can’t go kayaking before your trip to Ecuador, try to get in the best shape you can.  We have 7 full days of paddling planned for you and the biggest thing that usually holds people back is that they get too tired by the end of the week.  Start doing those push-ups now!

Don first started paddling in Ecuador in 1995.  After guiding for Small World Adventures for 17 seasons, he took some time off to join Darcy in paddling the Amazon from source to sea.  After paddling over 400 different rivers in 23 countries, he still hasn’t found any place quite as good as Ecuador.  He probably has guided more kayakers down the rivers of Ecuador than anyone else in the world, and definitely has had the most fun doing it!  He has an uncanny memory for rivers and rapids, and always knows the best line and play spots at all the different water levels.  Advanced instruction on creeking and playboating are his specialty, but his main focus is making sure everyone is having a good time.  After all, he coined the phrase “What’s wrong with just fun?”

What year did you start kayaking?  1985

Advice for people coming to Ecuador?  Make sure your roll is good before you come to Ecuador!  Hit those pool sessions and shake off the rust.  Nothing can make or break your paddling vacation like a solid, bomb-proof roll.

Bladimir was born and raised in Tena near the Jatunyacu River. He is Kichwa and brings great local insight to the team. He speaks Spanish, Kichwa, and English. When he was younger, he saw a group of kayakers paddling past his home one day and decided he wanted to learn this sport. He met a kayaker from Spain who taught him the basics of kayaking, and now he’s one of the best kayak and raft guides in Tena. Bladimir says, “I love kayaking because when I’m on the river, I’m the happiest person in the world!” He got into kayak guiding because he likes to share experiences with other kayakers and show people from all over the world the wonderful rivers in his backyard. Fun facts: His nickname is Blaster and he does adventure races.

What year did you start kayaking?  1999

Advice for people coming to Ecuador?  Come to Ecuador ready to get to know the marvelous rivers of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Also be ready to enjoy some of the Indigenous food that come from this region like Chontacuro. If you don’t know what that is, ask one of your guides, they can show you!

Brayan Robles is from Tena, Ecuador. He’s spent his entire life in Tena surrounded by green jungle and crystalline rivers, the perfect place to be a kayaker! Brayan learned to kayak at a young age from his family. His uncles and friends were key to introducing him to the sport in a safe and fun way. He says he can’t thank them enough for the patience they had in teaching him and taking him to rivers that left a lasting impression on him. Brayan says, “I love kayaking, it’s one of the favorite things in my life. I could spend whole days on the river paddling and getting to know new places.” He loves to guide because he likes to pass this favor along and, he says, “I love seeing guests’ faces full of happiness!” Besides kayaking, Brayan loves riding motorcycles and his dream it to one day travel by bike and by kayak.

What year did you start kayaking?  2012

Advice for people coming to Ecuador?  Come to Ecuador with an adventure mindset. We sometimes have to be flexible and ready to change our plans in order to take advantage of all the wonders Ecuador has to offer, both on and off the river.

Emerson was Born in Archidona, in the cradle of the jungle and mighty rivers. He is proud to be Kichwa, and grew up with a deep connection to the water. Since Emerson was a child, rivers have been his home, leading him to become a rafting guide and a passionate Class III and IV kayaker. He found my true passion at the age of 18, when his instructor, Tony Altamirano, encouraged me to delve into the world of kayaking. Since then, he has explored rivers like the Jondachi, the Misahuallí, and the Jatunyacu, among others. Kayaking has taught him discipline, respect for nature, and the value of teamwork. He speaks fluent Kichwa and Spanish and is working on his English! Emerson says, “Every rapid is a challenge, but also an opportunity to learn and push boundaries. If you’re looking for adventure and excitement, it would be an honor to team up with you and share the power of the river together.”

What year did you start kayaking? 2019

Any advice for those coming to Ecuador?”The river doesn’t ask, it just takes you… So hold on tight, paddle hard, and shout if you have to! But most of all, enjoy the adventure, because on the water there are no worries, only adrenaline and fun. Let’s tear through those rapids together!”

Juanito grew up in the beautiful city of Tena. He spent his childhood surrounded by rafting guides and kayakers, as his father worked in this profession and was a kayaker as well. This example instilled in Juanito a passion for kayaking, as well as for the conservation and care of rivers. Juanito says, “paddling is one of the most incredible things to do, and I’ve learned teamwork, greater responsibility, empathy, and solidarity. Paddling brings people together; it’s something I always think about. I just started this year, 2025, with SWA, and I’m very happy. They’re like a family to me, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to paddle together and guide more people who practice this adventure sport.”

What year did you start kayaking? 2014

Any advice for those coming to Ecuador? Feel confident in coming a trip with SWA, as you’ll have a wonderful experience paddling the best rivers in Ecuador and enjoying a wonderful rest at the end of the day.

Alejo grew up in Puyo, a city surrounded by nature and incredible rivers that, from a young age, connected him with adventure. He got into kayaking because he lives in a tourist area. One day a friend invited him on a rafting trip and that is when he discovered the sport of kayaking. Alejo says, “the moment I saw a kayak for the first time, it really caught my eye, and I knew I wanted to give it a try. I am passionate about kayaking because of the connection it fosters—both with nature and with other people. It is an experience to be enjoyed to the fullest, and personally, it also serves as a form of therapy: it liberates you, helps you focus, and fills you with energy. What I love most about being a guide is being able to share that passion with others, watching them enjoy the experience, and being part of moments that often become unforgettable for them.”

What year did you start kayaking?  2019

Advice for people coming to Ecuador? Come with an open mind and a desire to embrace new experiences. Allow yourselves to feel the excitement—to fall in love with the landscapes, the climate, and the people—and to savor every moment, whether with friends or with the guides themselves, as you explore our rivers.