Cagayan de Oro White Water Rafting

The wild water rafters

3 years ago on my birthday April 20, 2009, 3 of my Convergys workmates and 2 of my CDO friends did the ULTIMATE CDO Adventure - White Water Rafting. Early in the morning we headed to DVSoria where a jeepney arranged by Kagay took us to the river wild site together with the other rafters. The trip to the site, Mambuaya River took more or less an hour. When we arrived mixed emotions of fear and excitement were building up as the tour guide gave us a quick lecture about safety precautions. It made me think twice of pushing through or not. After all I don't know how to swim. But the adventurer in me prevailed. There I was all geared up with my life jacket, helmet and paddle.

The water was calm when we embarked on the Beginner's level course. We were given instructions on when and how to paddle by the 2 Kagay tour guides on our raft. We started to paddle slowly and after a few minutes we were on with our first rapid and then went on to the next. There were more or less 8 rapids in total. But the most memorable rapid was the 'washing machine like' rapid. We were asked to stand up on our raft and at the same time paddle our way. You can just imagine the struggle of keeping our balance as the river went wild with our every paddle. Our raft was going in circles with the rapids trying to wash us down. Whew! What an adrenaline rush! Everyone was all screams and smiles after that.

Every after rapid, we made high fives with our paddles. It was the rafters way of saying 'Good job everyone' after surpassing a difficult task. When there weren't any rapids, the tour guides would give us a quick history about CDO.

High Five!

Then we had our stopover at this rock formation in the middle of the river. We thought it was siesta time as we were paddling for hours already. But to our surprise and disappointment, it was the dreaded Graduation Jump! Will I ever make it alive after this? This was supposed to be an adventure not a life and death situation I told myself. One by one they started to jump off from the 6-7 feet rock formation. They made it look easy. My friend even jumped off twice.

I gave myself a short pep talk. If I won't do it, I would be such a loser for not taking the plunge. Everyone else did, why can't I? This is it! All in the name of adventure!

It took me a few seconds to emerge from the water. And while I was under water, certain episodes of my life made a quick play. It was a melodramatic moment. Just like the movies when a life and death situation plays in slow motion. That was really weird. But hey! I made it alive. Thanks to the Kagay team who were well trained and prepared.

After almost 4 hours, the course ended. Adrenaline rush, teamwork, camaraderie and life changing experience will always be the words I will associate with this adventure. The php 750 for the whole course was definitely worth it. I conquered my fears and yes I made it alive! Happy Birthday to me! I'm up for the Advance level course!

Ready for the Advance Level!