INCREDIBLE BRAZIL by Fabian Alejandro Bonanno

New country, new river, new languish, new mates.... INCREDIBLE BRAZIL!!!

 Yes, i have arrive the firth week of December to Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo once i was out the gate turn right and walk 200 Mt. to take a bus to Campinas. When i have arrive there my friend Tony pick me up and after few minutes we were heading to Brotas one of the biggest outdoors centre from Brazil.

Brazil is home to an amazing percentage of word´s freshwater, with much of that water flowing out of the mountains in the form of runnable whitewater. However, many challenges await those contemplating an adventure in Brazil.

Brazil culture, considered the melting pot of South America and a rich variety of beliefs and culture can be found within  its borders. While there is a great deal of mixing of cultures. Some towns are also designated by artistic symbols on the map, among  those, a few places have waterfalls symbols that indicate a high concentration of waterfalls. Always a plus!

The general vibe from the locals is open and warm. “They are amazingly friendly. When I was invited to Keke birthday of one the member of the Brazilian Rafting National Team 2 times word champions, I can guess most of them were there that night. Then I was invited to watch a football match with my new Brazilian river mates , truly felt at home.

Portuguese is the native language,  dialect differs from state to state. The further away you get from the big cities (Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro) the fewer people will speak English. Grammar and vocabulary books may help. A good understanding of Spanish and Italian it is very helpful to understanding the form and structure of Portuguese, Although the pronunciation and rhythm are completely  different from other Latin based languages.

Spending most of my time on the river it is what I do since then, working as a photographer  and safety kayaker on the Jacare River (next article topic)

I hope Peak UK reader found this useful. Thanks.

Fabian Alejandro Bonano

Liquidlogic-Versa, It was a great sunny week...

It was a great sunny week, bu Saturday morning didn’t look so promising. There were dark clouds above the sea, not making us believe that the paddling experience on the sea would be something nice that day. Long coffee and some modification on a paddle made us to forgot on watch and weather... and sun came. Car was looking quite different with long sea kayak and SUP on the roof, ready to try it for the first time. Without any problems on the road we came to the beach and unpacked.

We had LiquidLogic Versa Board which is pretty nice piece of gliding device - it’s an SUP and sit on top kayak in one device. Pretty mean, while the paddling style is so much different. And it has a great extra gizmo - a wheel attached to the back of the board, so you can drag it easily behind you right to the sea. No extra wheels or carrying - just grab it with one hand and voila - it goes like a puppy.

On the water - use it the way you want. As SUP with a fantastic view around the clock - you can spot a boat as far possible, and when you want to travel faster - just change the paddle, sit down and glide... Oh yes - there’s a great holder for the other paddle on the side, so you just change it quickly. A simple skeg system, controlled by a lever changes the board from easy turner to precise course holder in a second.

Nevertheless, it’s surely a perfect sea craft! We could imagine so many ways to use it, from training kayak, to children diving platform. But it goes even further, next challenges are the waves on the sea, to try it’s surfing ability and of course, whitewater...

by Dejan Kralj,

Photos Neja Flak, Matej Brecelj