Watch ‘Chicas al Agua’ Tackle Patagonia Rapids

As paddling dreamlands go, Futaleufú, Chile, is hard to beat. But it can be hard for women there to break into the sport.

That was the case for Vanessa, who, despite her generational status as a local, was forced to start kayaking “sin apoyo,” or without support.

Vanessa eventually became an instructor for Chicas al Agua, an organization that seeks to get women out on the water — specifically, the Rio Futaleufú.

It’s one of the most famous rivers on Earth among paddlers. Five seconds of watching this video will show you why.

Watch Vanessa and her cohort lead the women of Chicas al Agua in this documentary from Northwest River Supplies. And take a “lesson” or two with you.

Runtime: 18 minutes