River rafting and water park Apuzunga, El Salvador

It took almost a year to organize, but I finally made it out to Apuzunga. It was great. The main purpose of our trip was rafting down Rio El Desague, but we also were able to enjoy the resturant and the water park.

After our arrival we spent some time filling out all the liablitly paperwork. Then we were issued our helmets and PFDs. Since it is August and the rainy season, the water level is pretty high. There wasn't much white water, maybe only one Class 2 rapid, but to make it more interesting they take you through many of the Class 1 rapids backwards or spinning in circles.

Apuzunga runs a very profesional trip. They teach some techniques and within the first few minutes, they run a float test. Everyone gets used to being in the water in small rapids.

At one of our stops we attempted river crossing. This is deceptivly hard to do. Only two of our group of 11 made it. I came just short. The technique is start pulling yourself across, when the pressure of the water starts to pull you under, you take a breath and then continue the rest of the way under water. The hard part is the breath hold and not knowing how ar you have made it. I felt like the current was lettign up and I must be near the end so I tryed to get a second breath. When I did this my one hand slipped and I couldn't get it back on the rope. I only had about ten feet left to go.

River crossing

Then there were a few more rapids before reaching a sketchy bridge to hang and drop from. The bridge was just some sticks, not logs or board, on 3 cables with 2 cables a rails. because of the nature or the hang and drop it was hard to do much more than just fall. It took two attempts but one of the guys was able to do a back flip. Here is the video of failed first attempt.

Back in the boat for a bit then there was a 20 minute PDF float down the boring flat water.

Once back in the boat we quickly reached the take out where Rio Lempa. Then rode in the back of the truck local style back to Apuzunga. We took advantage of the water parks slide and diving board before grabbing some food. We ran out of time so we didn't have a chance to do their zip line course. Over all it was a great day, to bad it is so far from the city.

Pulling the rafts out of the water

Riding back Salvadorian style