In this episode, Lizzy interviews Rodrigo Alfonzo a Level 3 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructor and Level 4 Swiftwater certified, discussing his journey into packrafting and the significance of La Venta River, including its wonders, dangers and realities. They emphasize community involvement, safety and/or ACA training for local guides and communities, and the importance of preserving natural resources while promoting both Mexican and foreign tourism in Chiapas. Rodrigo shares future plans for his cooperative guide service, Packraft Mexico, training local guides and organizing events to enhance the packrafting experience in Mexico. You can also find Rod on @losabuelitoschiapas on Instagram.

Today we’ve got a special episode about one of the most storied and spectacular rivers in Mexico, which also happens to be one of the most misrepresented in social media. I’m here with Rodrigo Alfonso to talk about the wonders and dangers of La Venta River, his work with the Mexican government and environmental conservations agencies to protect the river and make it safer for those who utilize it.  We’ll also talk about his latest project, Packraft Mexico, a co-op guide service that strives to both train and employ locals to guide La Venta and other rivers and to bring training opportunities to the local communities surrounding these rivers. Rod won the American Packrafting Association’s Golden Paddle award in 2025 for building the packrafting community in Southern Mexico. He has single-handedly inspired dozens of Mexicans to not only start packrafting, but also get the training they need to work on the rivers they already love and utilize. The guy is enthusiastic, fun to be with and highly motivated. Please meet one of my favorite new paddling partners, the dynamic Rodrigo Alfonso.