Futafest: It’s about the river

“This is nothing like it’s going to be living here,” Phoebe tells us.

This past weekend the two other teachers Kristin and Matt, Phoebe, and I spent most of our time at Futafest, a worldwide kayak and rafting competition held on the Futaleufú River 45 minutes outside the town of Futaleufú, closest to the small community of El Azul. Futafest was full of Americans and other kayakers and tourists from around the world, along with a number of local spectators and participants.

Raft comes racing down the Futaleufú River at Futafest.

The river is incredible. The rapids, the unearthly blue water (I believe because the water comes from melting glaciers), the beautiful trees and surroundings. And the water is so clear – and good to drink!

When I first heard “Futafest” I thought it was named for Futaleufú, the nearest town and where I will be living and working this year. But really it is about the Futaleufú River – its natural beauty, the resources it provides us, and most prominently the fun and enjoyment it offers us. As rivers go, the Futaleufú is one of the very best worldwide for rafting and kayaking.

“No to the Mine” – a sign I made with other volunteers at Futafest.

And that very river is under siege by U.S. companies that want to build a gold mine along the river, causing environmental devastation to the river and other ecosystems and exposing the area’s inhabitants to toxins that are used in the mining process. At the same time, the Spanish company Endesa is developing its plans to damn part of the river and transport the electricity produced north to areas of Chile that need more energy – part of a series of proposed damns around Chilean Patagonia. (Find out more at patagoniasinrepresas.cl.)

The river has so much to offer, and a lot of people fighting to protect it. While orchestrating recycling for the event we met María José, coordinator for Futaleufú Riverkeeper, and Laura who was volunteering with Riverkeeper. The Patagonia Sur Foundation also works to grow discussion, education, and solutions for protecting the river. And all those who live here, visit here, and enjoy and live off of the resources the river has to offer are also ready to protect the Futaleufú.