In January, thirty international athletes gathered to test themselves in the third annual Chirripó Steep Creek Race. Qualifying heats began early on the lower section, where paddlers faced a sequence of Class III+ drops that seemed straightforward in practice, but took on a different character at race pace. This year's higher water levels, courtesy of an especially wet rainy season, forced competitors to reconsider their lines on the fly. The real test came during the semifinals and finals on La Bestia, a Class V rapid with a succession of drops. After their semifinal runs, the eight finalists had to immediately shoulder their boats and hike back up for one more bout with La Bestia. No outside support—just the paddler, their boat, and a hill that suddenly feels twice as steep…
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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Spring 2025