Big Water Clinic, Chilean Patagonia
Six days of world-class whitewater, authentic culture, and transformative leadership on the Río Petrohué.
Adventure Awaits
Row through the wild heart of Patagonia, where snowcapped volcanoes rise above emerald rivers. Over six days, you’ll train in whitewater rowing, build resilience through guided mindset coaching, and connect deeply with Chilean culture. With space for only six participants, this expedition offers hands-on instruction, shared adventure, and the chance to challenge yourself in one of the most stunning river valleys on earth.
Trip Overview
Dates: October 18th - 25th, 2026
Location: Ensenada, Chile (Petrohué River, near Puerto Varas)
Group Size: Maximum 6 participants — intimate, personalized, and adventurous.
Cost: $3750
Experience the best of Patagonia: challenging and scenic rowing, intentional mindset coaching, and the camaraderie of a small group in one of the most beautiful places on earth. This trip is for experienced boaters looking to level up their big water boating skills in Class III-IV water.
Itinerary &
Schedule
Day 1— Arrival in Puerto Montt by 5:00 PM for group shuttle. Welcome dinner & orientation at Barlovento.
Day 2-4— Daily rowing clinics on the Río Petrohué. Each day blends skill-building, adventure, and mindset practice.
Day 5 - Rest day, open for exploration
Day 6-7 – Two on-water days for hands-on technical learning and mindset training
Day 8— Group shuttle available to Puerto Montt airport
FAQs
Arrival and Departure
Arrival: October 18th— flights must arrive before 5:00 PM at Puerto Montt Airport (PMC). Group shuttle departs at 5:00 PM.
Departure: October 25th— group shuttle to the airport mid-morning.
You are welcome to extend your travels in Patagonia before or after the trip — we highly recommend exploring! We especially recommend arriving a day or two early and staying in Puerto Varas. That way, you arrive rested and ready to go for our course.
Where Will We Stay?
Cabaña Barlovento, Ensenada, Chile
Cozy, welcoming, and perfectly located on the lakeshore near the river. Shared rooms with local hospitality and easy access to the Petrohué.
What is Included?
✔ 5 full days on the river with professional instruction
✔ One day of downtime and exploration
✔ All rafting equipment (boats, oars, safety gear)
✔ Welcome dinner + closing Chilean asado farewell dinner
✔ Airport transfers
✔ Leadership and mindset coaching woven into each day
✔ Seven nights of Lodging in double occupancy rooms
What’s Not Included
✘ Flights to/from Chile
✘ Meals except for welcome + farewell dinners
✘ Personal travel/medical/cancellation insurance (required)
✘ Personal gear (drysuit, rescue PFD, whitewater helmet, knife, throwbag, and whistle are all required gear)
✘ Instructor Tips. 10-20% is the industry standard
Do I need to be in great shape to join?
You do need a base level of fitness appropriate for rowing Class III-IV water and potentially swimming in this water. You do not need to be an Olympic athlete, however!
What if I’ve never rowed before?
If you are new to rowing or are not sure whether this course is right for you, please reach out to us! You can contact us at jess@wyldheartco.com or check out our other trips to Patagonia in the spring, appropriate for newer boaters. This clinic is for intermediate to advanced rafters looking to improve their technical skill and their mental aptitude.
The Nitty Gritty Details
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Reserve your spot directly through our website. A 30% deposit is required at registration to secure your place, with the remaining balance due 90 days prior to departure.
We accept payments via credit card or Venmo @WyldHeartCo. Please note that credit card payments may include a small processing fee.
Have questions or want to talk it through first? I’d love to connect with you directly:
Email: jess@wyldheartco.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +1-719.395.5546 -
A 50% deposit is due at registration. Of this, $750 is non-refundable and non-transferable.
More than 120 days prior to departure: Full refund of any payments made, less the $750 non-refundable portion of your deposit.
91–120 days prior: 50% refund of trip cost, less $750.
61–90 days prior: 25% refund of trip cost, less $750.
60 days or fewer prior: No refund.
If Wyld Heart cancels a trip for reasons other than force majeure (natural disasters, political instability, pandemics, etc.), you’ll receive a full refund including your deposit. If cancellation is due to force majeure, we’ll make every effort to refund recoverable costs or apply your payment toward a future trip.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to: jess@wyldheartco.com.
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Wyld Heart requires all participants to carry travel insurance that includes emergency medical and evacuation coverage for the full duration of the program.
For all international trips, participants are also required to carry trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Travel insurance is an essential part of participating in Wyld Heart programs and helps protect your financial investment if unforeseen circumstances prevent you from joining the trip or require you to leave early.
Wyld Heart does not provide refunds for circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, safety considerations, illness, political conditions, partner availability, or participant inability to attend. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is the participant’s primary financial protection in these situations.
Wyld Heart is not an insurer and does not guarantee reimbursement of trip costs. Participants are responsible for selecting a policy that adequately covers their needs and their full trip investment.
Popular providers our guests use include Allianz, Travel Guard, World Nomads, and AIG Travel. Some participants also use coverage offered through their credit card provider or airline; however, it is the participant’s responsibility to confirm that such coverage meets the requirements above.
Meet Your Instructors
This expedition is led by Jess Lewis and Claudio Martinez, combining international expertise with deep local knowledge. Jess is an ACA Instructor Trainer at the highest level in Rafting, an ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and a Wilderness Guide, with decades of experience guiding and teaching in rivers around the world. Claudio is a seasoned Chilean river guide and ACA-certified instructor who knows the Petrohué intimately, bringing not only technical mastery but also cultural connection to the experience. Together, they offer world-class rowing instruction, proven risk management, and the kind of mentorship that helps you grow as both a rower and a leader.
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I’m Jess Lewis — river guide, coach, and founder of Wyld Heart. For over two decades, I’ve led teams and expeditions across Antarctica, Africa, South and Central America, and the American West. My work has always circled back to one thing: helping people find courage and clarity in wild places.
I’m an American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer (Level 4 Raft), an ACA Level 5 Raft Instructor, ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor and chair of the ACA Rafting Committee. I’m also an AMGA-trained mountain guide, an avalanche instructor, and a Wilderness Medicine Instructor. Along the way, I’ve started nonprofits, taught as a professor, written as an author, and guided international expeditions.
Through Wyld Heart, I bring all of that experience together — mindset coaching, leadership training, and embodied resilience — to help you navigate challenge, lead with heart, and step into the biggest version of yourself.
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A lifelong Chilean river guide and educator, Claudio knows the Petrohué and surrounding region inside and out. His expertise in local waters, cultural connection, and whitewater instruction makes him an invaluable partner, ensuring both safety and authentic immersion in Patagonia. Claudio is also fluent in English and is looking forward to showing people his home.
