River SUP in Mexico

[Kayakhuasteca]

Just about everyone is familiar with Mexico's beaches.  Gulf, Caribbean and Pacific sides all offer opportunities for great SUP surfing.  Now it's time to explore the endless beautiful rivers that Mexico has to offer.  If you're familiar with rivers, you know that where there are mountains, there must be rivers and rapids.  We are located in the Sierra Madre Orientals on the eastern side of Mexico.  All of the rivers in the Huasteca region are spring fed, clean, and crisp with a deep turquoise blue color.  This particular part of the Huasteca is known for its Waterfalls.  They vary in size from 350 feet to 1 foot.  Some can be run on a SUP. 
           
Our hottest run is the Lower Micos section of the Rio Valles.  It has 25 rapids in 7 miles.  All rapids are below class 3 and perfect to paddle standing up. The wildlife on Micos is incredible, herons, turtles, eagles and migratory shore birds can be seen daily.
 
Our base is located in Ciudad Valles, a town of 150,000 people, we are 15 minutes from the whitewater and we have flat water downtown. This section is excellent for training, birding and learning the basics of SUP with river currents.  In the early season, Oct-Nov, we have an excellent river wave just 5 minutes away.  The river difficulty decreases as the water drops throughout the season.  This year for low water we will be exploring the possibility of higher waterfalls on the SUPs.


SUP is still in its infancy here in Inland Mexico.  If you want to find other paddlers come to Kayak Huasteca here in the Heart of the Huasteca.  This year we have 4 boards and next year we will double that.  If you plan on making the trip, I recommend an inflatable board and a break down paddle.  SUP products are hard to find here in the mountains.
Our nearest airport is in Tampico; from there it is 2.5 hours to Ciudad Valles.  Weather temps are always mild, except for the summer when it can get as hot as 130 degrees.  Rainy season ends in October and that's the start of Sup season.  Water levels are highest in October and decrease through April.
It is fresh water paddling at its finest.  Water temps never drop below 78 degrees and the weather is always hot.  A perfect day is enchiladas for breakfast, 25 rapids on the Micos with a stop at the Aventura ranch surf wave, and then on to cold Coronas at the take-out.  Come on down and share the Stoke.  See you on the river.  Aaron

[Badfish]

Looks killer down there Aaron, been following your fun online. Stoked to make a trip down to see you guys, maybe next winter to bring you some boards!

[Kayakhuasteca]

You guys are always welcome down here..I wanna get back to Salida this summer and session some of those new play features with you'all...I'll have a better idea in the spring..lets stay in touch.
Aaron