Cuan Coetzee

Senior Trip Leader

Where do you call home?

Kommetjie, Cape Town, South Africa

What do you love most about multi-day trips?

It gives us the chance to escape the rat race. Free us from the technology trap. To live the simple life!

When did you start working for Water By Nature?

In 2011 I ran a 10 day kayak school on the Rio Espalon, Rio Azul and Futaleufu in Chile.

Your best river meal you like to prepare?

Braai (barbeque) night ! Even as a vegetarian, i still love cooking multiple dishes on an open fire.

Favourite Rapid?

No. 7 Gullivers Travels

Most important piece of equipment you take on every adventure?

Slackline. I never leave home without it and always end up leaving it behind with a group of locals.

Biggest achievement to date?

Recently got the first ascent on a 6000m peak in the Karakorums. – Oulo Kangri, Kondus Valley, Pakistan.

What do you do when you are not on the river?

I am seldom not on the river. But at home, my happy place is in my workshop, building things out of steel.

Favourite band?

Constantly changing as i move through different stages of my life. I love all music with a good beat.

Best River story?

After a raft trip in NZ I received a punch to the head by a drunk Mexican gentleman. 2 days later i was asked go to the local Police station. To my surprise, I received a cheque for $500 as a compensation for my injuries and made the front page of local new papers. “South African man gets punched in the nose by Mexican.”

Favourite rafting trips?

Grand Canyon and Tamur in Nepal.

Anywhere still on the rafting ‘bucket list’?

Papua New Guinea

Tell us something other people may not know about you?

Recently learned how to play the Ukulele