Kokatat athletes to lead descent of Columbia’s Apaporis River

April 13, 2017

Kayaking team plans 700-mile paddle deep in Amazon Basin

ARCATA, California – Three of the world’s most experienced expedition kayakers, each sponsored Kokatat team athletes, are leading an elite international team of paddlers down the mystical Apaporis River deep in the heart of southern Columbia.

The expedition – named Amazon Unexplored – will snake through 700 miles of virgin rainforest and drop over seven distinct waterfalls as the Apaporis winds toward the border with Brazil. The month-long expedition, that began March 31, includes a trio of Kokatat team athletes:  Leader Jules Domine of France and Americans Ben Stookesberry and Chris Korbulic.

Amidst a newfound peace at the end of a 52-year war, the expedition aims to promote an emerging reconciliation in a once war-torn land, document new flora and fauna in an undisturbed ecosystem and interact and collaborate with the ancient riparian culture. Kayakers Aniol Serrasolses and Jessie Rice will join the Kokatat athletes on the adventure.

The remote, vast area has been largely secluded from the outside world since 1964, when the guerrilla group The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) began battle with the Columbia government. On the heels of last year’s historic peace accord, it is only now possible to attempt this epic mission through the untamed land.

For more information and updates about Amazon Unexplored, check out http://zppr.io/apaporis.

To learn more about other expeditions that rely on Kokatat gear visit www.kokatat.com/expeditions. 

About Kokatat Inc.

Kokatat has been manufacturing paddling gear in Arcata, California for over 45 years. At a time when many technical apparel brands were moving manufacturing offshore, Kokatat continued to invest in infrastructure in the United States. Kokatat founder Steve O’Meara was committed to the development of the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world and recognized the need to control and continually evolve the development of its dry wear. In the early days, Kokatat worked closely with W.L. Gore & Associates, makers of GORE-TEX®, to refine the sewing and sealing techniques required for full immersion suits and tops. Today, our hands-on approach to manufacturing continues to set the standard in paddling apparel. Into the water with Kokatat! Learn more at www.kokatat.com.