Yaku Churis
Holistic kayak school and community river program in Napo, Ecuador.
Program status: Ongoing
Story status: In progress
Creators:
Diego Robles, Wil Henkel, Ben Stookesberry
With support from:
WWU, Small World Adventures, Endless River Adventures, Boofsessions, Ecuadorian Rivers Institute, Caritas Napo, and many generous donors.
Yaku Churis: A Year on the River (2025 Impact Story)
Tena, Napo, Ecuador — April 2026
In the Ecuadorian Amazon, where the rivers rise out of the Andes and braid through dense forest, the work of Yaku Churis continues to take shape—not as an abstract idea, but as a living, moving force carried by water, youth, and community.
2025 marked a turning point.
What began as a local effort rooted in the banks of the Jatunyaku and Piatúa rivers has grown into something far larger. This year, Yaku Churis was recognized among the top ten non-profit organizations in the world by Kayak Session Magazine, affirming what the community has long known: that protecting rivers through sport, culture, and youth leadership is not only possible—it is powerful. Stories from this territory traveled far beyond the Amazon, with El País / América Futura highlighting how kayaking has become a form of resistance and defense.
But recognition is only a surface current. Beneath it, the deeper work flows.
On the river itself, a new generation is rising. Young paddlers are no longer just learning to navigate whitewater—they are learning to read their territory. Tupag, one of Yaku Churis’ athletes, was named among the top five upcoming paddlers globally, while at Jondachi Fest, history was made: for the first time, a junior category was established, and local athletes stepped into the demanding world of Class V competition. These are not just sporting milestones—they are declarations of presence.
At the same time, science and tradition began to move together in new ways. In partnership with a researcher from Cornell University, the team introduced environmental DNA monitoring into the Jatunyaku River, using cutting-edge tools to better understand and protect the ecosystem. Along the Napo River, community members gathered for World Water Day, sharing knowledge, stories, and a screening of the Río Pusuno documentary—bridging generations through film, education, and memory.
This work is inseparable from territory.
Throughout the year, Yaku Churis remained actively engaged in the defense of Indigenous lands, particularly within the San Juan de Piatúa and Jatunyaku communities. Youth leaders stepped into broader conversations, participating in gatherings organized by FOIN and alongside the Guerreras por la Amazonía, strengthening a network of resistance that extends far beyond any single river.
And in the day-to-day rhythms of life, sustainability took on practical form. A small carpentry workshop evolved into a mobile, community-facing initiative—bringing locally made work to regional fairs. Partnerships expanded access to healthcare, while collaborations with institutions and local services reinforced the idea that river stewardship is not isolated work—it is woven into the fabric of community wellbeing.
At its heart, Yaku Churis remains an educational space. This year, students like Marly reached important milestones, while exchanges with international kayaking programs opened new pathways for learning, connection, and shared purpose.
Taken together, these moments tell a larger story.
This is not simply a report of activities completed or goals achieved. It is the story of a movement gaining momentum—where rivers are not resources to be extracted, but relatives to be defended. Where kayaking is not just sport, but language, identity, and protection.
Every contribution has helped carry this current forward.
And as the rivers continue to flow, so too does the work.
With gratitude,
Diego Robles
Director, Yaku Churis
To support the Yaku Churi program you can make a direct donation here:
These funds directly support our holistic kayak school for Indigenous Kichwa youth from Napo, Ecuador. The Yaku Churis is a 501(c)3 so your donation is tax-deductible.