I first landed in Jalcomulco, Veracruz, Mexico in 1997. At the time I was raft guiding on the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia, but longed to return to Latin America where I had studied abroad during college. A friend told me about a rafting company based on the Ottawa River in Canada that operated trips throughout the winter in Mexico. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to travel, kayak and maybe pick up some work. The Esprit Rafting bus, filled with their staff, rafts, kayaks and gear, picked me up in WV in October and I was off on my whitewater adventure to Mexico!

The first night on the bus I was afraid I had made a huge mistake. I didn’t know anyone on the bus, I only had a few hundred dollars and I had no idea what Mexico would be like. My fears were soon alleviated as I got to know Esprit’s wonderful staff, now life-long friends, and pulled up to my first aquamarine Mexican waterfalls! Not only that, but I quickly fell in love with the people, landscape and culture of Jalcomulco. This small, friendly and slow-paced community nestled in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Orientales has a very special place in my heart. It’s difficult to pinpoint why this place is so special to me. It’s a combination of its surrounding beauty and peacefulness and of its welcoming, joyful people who give me a glimpse into the ancient lifestyle and traditions of their ancestors. The scenic and exciting whitewater that abounds nearby, the enchanting jungles and canyons with natural swimming holes, the amazingly fresh and delicious food inspire me to come back to Jalcomulco year after year.

All of this and more is why Mexico is my first choice destination for whitewater kayaking trips abroad. It was easy to convince my husband, Andrew Holcombe, to join me in leading first rate kayaking trips based out of Jalcomulco. For us the cultural experience is just as important as the whitewater experience. This is why we use local food, cooks and accommodation, and why we incorporate extra activities such as the Temascal, salsa dancing and tortilla making into each of our trips.

In addition to a rich cultural experience, it’s important for me to provide a transformational experience for people to help them face their fears, build confidence and maybe even go home with an expanded view of the world. This is especially true of my women’s trips. Morning yoga classes combined with whitewater kayak instruction and a Temascal, the ancient Aztec sweat lodge ceremony, provides a holistic experience that you can only experience on our trips.

Esprit Rafting’s exceptional staff provide our us with outstanding logistical and guide support. The registration process is made easy through the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s friendly reservation staff and Andrew and I personally guide every trip.

Whether you’re interested in the beginner women’s course, the intermediate women’s course or the advanced co-ed trip, we’ll make sure you experience the whitewater trip of a lifetime!

Girls at Play Women's Week
January 24 - 31, 2009
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Week of Rivers with Andrew Holcombe
and Anna Levesque
Trip 1: January 17 - 24, 2009
Trip 2: February 14 - 21, 2009
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Women's Beginner Whitewater Kayaking
Trip to Mexico
February 7 - 14, 2009
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