SUCURUINA RIVER EXPEDITION, BRAZIL, SPRING 2023
When Caio Moreno and Olympic kayaker Pepe Gonçalves came up with the idea for an expedition on the Sucuruina River, it began as a way to save Pepe's relationship with kayaking, but soon turned into something bigger: saving a sacred place of the Parecis Indigenous Community from hydroelectric development. The Sucuruina River is considered one of the most challenging rivers in Brazil and would require much preparation. An ambitious plan was made: ten days spent paddling six different rivers across a five thousand kilometer distance. Beginning in Pirajú São Paulo State, and ending in Campo Novo de Parecis, Mato Grosso State, the team mapped the best rivers en route, gradually increasing the level of difficulty in preparation for the Brazilian Savana (Cerrado biome). The Araguaia River was the first, a huge volume river with amazing waterfalls and 1000 m of Class IV rapids. Next was Jaciara, the cradle of the kayaking in the region, where they were able to paddle with local kayakers and share the project. “Salto das Nuvens,” on the way to Camp Novo, was definitely a navigable waterfall but a mission for another day. Between Tangará da Serra and Campo Novo, the team explored a “kayakers paradise,” with three perfect emerald green waterfalls. Repelling to Reserva Sacre, the team made a complete descent of one of the most beautiful rivers in the Brazilian midwest, ending the day with Salto Belo, a 40 m waterfall. Then finally, it was time for “The Great Sucuruina.” The Sucuruina River is located inside the Indigenous Reserve of the Parecis Indigenous community. A place practically inaccessible, with rich fauna where the Indigenous people are still trying to live like their ancestors. Legend says the Parecis were the first indigenous people in the world, with their origins here. Descending the river was practically an spiritual experience. Beautiful waterfalls of emerald green and coral-like rock formations, set deep in the jungle. There are attempts to build six hydroelectric plants on this river, even inside Indigenous land. Because of the distance from “civilization” and the extremely difficult access, these attempts could succeed without anyone's knowledge, making this a difficult but important fight. To fight for the Sucuruina saves not a single river, but the history of a civilization. Save the Sucuruina River, God's Land and the birthplace of the Parecis Indigenous community..
Words & Photography: Pepe Gonçalves
UPPER KITZLOCHKLAMM, RAURISER ACHE, AUSTRIA, JUNE 2023
The Rauriser Ache was no real highlight on any kayaker's map. Most known is the “Kitzlochklamm” section, near the town of Taxenbach, which is a well-known, unrunnable gorge popular with tourists. In 2007, a small crew tried to run the upper part above the unknown gorge, but it was hard to tell where to exit the gorge before
