MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

NAME: Mario Vargas Hernández

Height: 5’5
Weight: 140

Turrialba, Costa Rica

Favorite boats: ROCK STAR, ALLSTAR, FUN, HERO, KARMA, VILLAIN DYNAMIC DUO … I LIKE ALL!
Favorite Rivers: Reventazón, Pacuare, Chirripo Atlántico, General, (of CR), Ottawa River, Gauley WV.
Crazy Fact About Mario: I like new tricks, I love have fun kayaking with my friends, and teach people kayaking; also I love horses.
Mario’s Favorite Kayaker: is EJ, I learned a lot from him and he is good example and motivation for me.

FREESTYLE WHITEWATER KAYAK RESUME

General Kayaking Background

• 17 years of whitewater boating experience
• Professional whitewater river kayaker
• Active kayaking member of JACKSON KAYAKS company
• Owner of adventure business Costa Rica Kayak Tours
• 2008 top ranked freestyle K1 competitor from Latin America region

International Competitive Experience

• 1997 World Championships – Ottawa, Canada (Placed 27th)
• 1999 World Championships – New Zealand (Placed 27th)
• 2000 Teva Mountain Games – Veil, Colorado USA (Placed 2nd)
• 2001 World Championships- Spain (Placed 32rd)
• 2002 Oregon Cup- Oregon, USA
• 2003 World Championships – Austria
• 2004, 05, 06 Toe-up Cup- American River, CA USA (ave top 3 in yearly events)
• 2006 World Cup Rodeo Tournament – USA
Competed in all 3 events in Ottawa, Black River & Rock Island.
• 2008 Green River Race – North Carolina, USA (not worth mentioning)

Local Competitive Experience

• 1997-2009 Various local tournaments and competitions – COSTA RICA
Average of top 3 for all events – continue rank #1 K1 freestyle competitor
• 2009 World championships – Thuns Switzerland
• 2009 Reno river festival – Nevada
• 2009 American River festival – California
• 2010 Pejivalle River festival – Costa Rica
• 2013 Nantahala Campeonato Mundial