LARRY V.--MASTERMIND OF LIVING THE KAYAKING LIFE IN THE QUIJOS VALLEY
A TRIBUTE TO LARRY VERMEEREN--FOUNDER OF SMALL WORLD ADVENTURES--AND SOMEONE WHO PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN SHAPING KAYAKING IN ECUADOR AS WE KNOW IT TODAY.
Don't worry, he is still alive and well, but I thought, what the hell, why not immortalize the living?
So, sorry to get all sentimental here, but I thought it was time to give Larry some credit for creating Small World Adventures, Cabanas Tres Rios, and such an excellent kayaking scene in Ecuador:
Thanks Larry for having the vision, the perseverance, and motivation to build this kick ass kayakers' lodge (supported by a very kick ass kayaking scene), so that we are lacking in nothing while kayaking in Ecuador. You had the guts to try something new when there were no kayakers in the Quijos Valley, and I admire that. You had no example to follow, yet, with just your dream, a little cash, and some inspiration, you turned a swampy cow field into Cabanas Tres Rios and, I think I can speak for all of Small World's kayakers when I say, we are forever grateful to you for following through with your dream.
Today, Ecuador has become a fairly popular kayaking destination; but this wasn't always the case. Not many people know much about the "history of paddling in Ecuador," and, since Larry Vermeeren was such a big part of it, I wanted to pay him a little homage. 
True, when Larry first came to Ecuador there were a couple kayakers paddling the rivers of this small country. But, when I say "a couple," I literally mean 2. The paddling scene in Ecuador was much different back then--I'd even go so far as to say it was non-existent. The now booming rafting industry was just in its burgeoning stages, and hardly anyone in the world thought of Ecuador as the whitewater Mecca that many consider it to be today. When Larry started Small World Adventures, he, and his sport, were a true anomaly here in Ecuador.
But, Larry somehow had a good sense about this place and was able to see in the future--through the jungle, the farms, and the pasture land--a country that offered incomparable kayaking, and a lodge (that he would have to build) that would be the temporary home of many of the future kayakers who came to take advantage of Ecuador's gradient, rainfall, and its high concentration boatable rivers.
Larry found his personal El Dorado when he visited the Quijos Valley for the first time--although it was an unlikely treasure. The roads were all dirt and in a constant state of disrepair. Borja had no hotels and barely 1 restaurant. In short, there just wasn't much going on besides the oil pipeline activity, and the dairy farmers who had colonized the land after the road connecting Quito to the oil fields was completed.
But, Larry had an idea...and, luckily for us, he also had the wherewithal to see his idea through.
6 years later, Larry was the proud owner of Cabanas Tres Rios. His goal from the outset was to create a welcoming and comfortable place for kayakers who were visiting Ecuador to stay. He knows that "roughing" it while paddling can be fun, but let's be honest, living large while paddling is a hell of a lot more fun! Now, thanks to LV and CTR, living large while kayaking is very possible in the Quijos Valley. Thanks to Larry, Small World guests now enjoy clean, comfortable rooms to sleep in each night, hot showers after kayaking, gourmet meals to keep the energy up while paddling, a huge fleet of kayaks to choose from, an onsite massage therapist, a yoga studio, and many, many more amenities.
He was a man with a dream, and he done good. Now, all us kayakers are reaping the benefits, and we just don't know how lucky we are.
Don't worry, he is still alive and well, but I thought, what the hell, why not immortalize the living?
So, sorry to get all sentimental here, but I thought it was time to give Larry some credit for creating Small World Adventures, Cabanas Tres Rios, and such an excellent kayaking scene in Ecuador:
Thanks Larry for having the vision, the perseverance, and motivation to build this kick ass kayakers' lodge (supported by a very kick ass kayaking scene), so that we are lacking in nothing while kayaking in Ecuador. You had the guts to try something new when there were no kayakers in the Quijos Valley, and I admire that. You had no example to follow, yet, with just your dream, a little cash, and some inspiration, you turned a swampy cow field into Cabanas Tres Rios and, I think I can speak for all of Small World's kayakers when I say, we are forever grateful to you for following through with your dream.
Today, Ecuador has become a fairly popular kayaking destination; but this wasn't always the case. Not many people know much about the "history of paddling in Ecuador," and, since Larry Vermeeren was such a big part of it, I wanted to pay him a little homage.
True, when Larry first came to Ecuador there were a couple kayakers paddling the rivers of this small country. But, when I say "a couple," I literally mean 2. The paddling scene in Ecuador was much different back then--I'd even go so far as to say it was non-existent. The now booming rafting industry was just in its burgeoning stages, and hardly anyone in the world thought of Ecuador as the whitewater Mecca that many consider it to be today. When Larry started Small World Adventures, he, and his sport, were a true anomaly here in Ecuador.
But, Larry somehow had a good sense about this place and was able to see in the future--through the jungle, the farms, and the pasture land--a country that offered incomparable kayaking, and a lodge (that he would have to build) that would be the temporary home of many of the future kayakers who came to take advantage of Ecuador's gradient, rainfall, and its high concentration boatable rivers.Larry found his personal El Dorado when he visited the Quijos Valley for the first time--although it was an unlikely treasure. The roads were all dirt and in a constant state of disrepair. Borja had no hotels and barely 1 restaurant. In short, there just wasn't much going on besides the oil pipeline activity, and the dairy farmers who had colonized the land after the road connecting Quito to the oil fields was completed.
But, Larry had an idea...and, luckily for us, he also had the wherewithal to see his idea through.
6 years later, Larry was the proud owner of Cabanas Tres Rios. His goal from the outset was to create a welcoming and comfortable place for kayakers who were visiting Ecuador to stay. He knows that "roughing" it while paddling can be fun, but let's be honest, living large while paddling is a hell of a lot more fun! Now, thanks to LV and CTR, living large while kayaking is very possible in the Quijos Valley. Thanks to Larry, Small World guests now enjoy clean, comfortable rooms to sleep in each night, hot showers after kayaking, gourmet meals to keep the energy up while paddling, a huge fleet of kayaks to choose from, an onsite massage therapist, a yoga studio, and many, many more amenities.
He was a man with a dream, and he done good. Now, all us kayakers are reaping the benefits, and we just don't know how lucky we are.
Larry, thanks for creating Small World Adventures and Cabanas Tres Rios so that we can all enjoy kayaking in Ecuador as much as we do!
posted by Darcy at
11:55 AM
2 Comments
And yes, that is a cow with fireworks spraying out its horns. Dairy farming is the mainstay of the economy in the Quijos Valley and celebrating their agricultural prosperity is an integral part of the fiestas here in Borja. 
And, of course, no party would be complete without Sponge Bob (that's Bob Esponga here in Borja).
Here Mr. Jeeeesse Becker is demonstrating a proper boof stroke on the Rio Jondachi
Larry is so damn excited to be back in Ecuador that he just can't contain himself
This is the Volcan Renventador ("The Exploder") which was living up to it's name this week. We even had the treat of a clear night where we were able to watch the glowing lava bubbling out of the top. Don't worry, we're upstream of the flow path, and it's calmed down now (the "experts" say it's just normal activity, and there is nothing to fret about--believe us, we looked into it)! The boys were just lucky enough to start out their week with this hot magma explosion!
Hilary and Ken set off for the Grand Canyon of the Quijos River
Chris setting the line on the Rio Oyacachi. The crystal clear waters, continuous boulder gardens, and abundance of Torrent Ducks make this a world class run.
J-$ getting his boof on--Rio Oyacachi. My that's a nice paddle you've got.
Boater Cross anyone? I think Jesse prevailed in the end. 
Hector found a little friend here at our lodge.
Then, the crew went to Tena...and there were turtles...
And there were monkeys...
And bars...
And boofs...
No, he's not German, but he is damn sexy.
And Mr. Vladamir himself boofing his way down the Upper Misahualli
We finished the week off with a run down the Cheesehouse section of the Rio Quijos. Nice scenery and nice rapids combined to make this one of the favorites of the week.
One more Quijos shot
And, in case you haven't already, meet the Small World crew (from the left: Hilary, Larry, Darcy, Chris and Don)...there's just no excuse for us. And there's just no excuse for you not to join us for some world class paddling in Ecuador this winter.
