Here is a video of me Whitewater kayaking in Costa Rica, There will be posts to follow that will break down these days and the turtle rescue/surfing we did in Playa Hermosa. Until then, I hope you enjoy my video:
To my readers:
A special thanks to all of my followers, ‘like”-ers, and commenters. I really appreciate everyones involvement with my stories. As you will know if you read my bio, I am aspiring to become a gear-tester. This month is the first month where I have had enough traffic to be considered by the website who I have been in contact with (one of their pre-requisites was being an established blogger). Thanks to everyone who has come back to read my posts multiple times and to those who have used the share buttons on the bottom of my posts or simply shared through word-of-mouth. I am grateful for any exposure you help me get.
As for my posts over the next week, they may be erratic and less frequent because I will be taking my girlfriend on a rock climbing trip in Tennessee and visiting her parents. Please continue to check in and I will do my best to keep to the every-other-day schedule that I have been keeping.
P.S. My video of the baby turtles is available to be viewed if you navigate to my YouTube channel (big button on the right bar of the website) and a reminder to sign up for the Clymb if you haven’t yet! They have great deals on all sorts of gear for anything remotely athletic (and whoever is the 1 millionth to sign up will win $1000 credit for themselves and $1000 for the person who invited them – why not at least sign up, you have nothing to lose!).
nathanmenkveld 
LA Edwards
16 March 2012 at 3:51 PM
I love your enthusiasm and love hearing about your adventures. It brings back fond memories for me studying in Costa Rica so long ago. I too helped with the sea turtles at Playa Grande. Good luck with your adventure in Tenn. 🙂 The rafting also reminds me when I did this in my more adventurous days. I was totally freaked out, yet excited at the same time. Thanks for sharing your stories. I too am relatively new with the blogging and would also appreciate any comments you have or advice.
Nathan Menkveld
17 March 2012 at 11:07 AM
Thanks so much! I really appreciate the time you took to give that feedback. As for blogging tips, if you post your e-mail here, I will send you an e-mail so we can discuss what I have found helpful. Once I send the first e-mail, I will delete yours from this post so you don’t get spam (alternatively you could message me on facebook or youtube with your e-mail address).
Todd
17 March 2012 at 8:47 AM
Dropping in from the rock looks like an absolute blast!
I like the transitions in your edits…..pretty cool.
Nathan Menkveld
17 March 2012 at 11:06 AM
Thanks! I can’t wait to try dropping over a waterfall next
dirtydog67
18 March 2012 at 1:51 AM
Hey Nathan,
Nice seal entry. Looks like your learning curve is pretty steep. From duckies to a hard shell to surfing holes to hand rolling. My god! I learned to paddle after work from various raft guides over several years. Looks like you’re getting it done in days man,,,keep it up!
Cheers,
DD
Nathan Menkveld
18 March 2012 at 11:13 AM
Thanks! I really loved whitewater kayaking, it is certainly my favorite sport I have tried thus far. Hopefully after graduation I can move to a state that has more of it.
incidentallearner
19 March 2012 at 8:07 PM
That was amazing…there is still snow on the ground here but we’ve had a few warm days and my mind immediately turns to my kayak! This vid is amazingly cool Nathan! Someday, I hope to kayak that way! At present though I take my 10 year old out with me and she likes tamer waters! Will re-post on my FB page!! Wicked job!!
Nathan Menkveld
21 March 2012 at 6:18 PM
Thanks! Sorry I didn’t reply right away, I was teaching my girlfriend to sport climb for the last few days down in TN.
I think thats really cool that you take you 10-year-old along with you, I can’t wait to do that with my kids someday! Thanks for the feedback and the share. I really appreciate it.
incidentallearner
21 March 2012 at 6:49 PM
No worries at all!!! I actually showed my 10-year-old and 5-year-old (who also kayaks in a tandem kayak with with either me or my husband). They thought the video was awesome and both want to do that as soon as they are “bigger kids”!! I can see those two wanting to do that at age 13 and 18. This will be their third summer kayaking with me and their Dad. It is such an amazing experience! We’re heading to Europe next summer for a few months to kayak there as well!! Best to you and hope you had an amazing climb!! Thanks for the reply and am looking forward to following your adventures!
Nathan Menkveld
21 March 2012 at 7:28 PM
That is wonderful! my parents taking me along camping and doing water sports influenced my interests in a huge way. Sounds like you are a fun mom for them to have.
incidentallearner
21 March 2012 at 7:37 PM
thanks so much! I do my best and they seem very happy!
incidentallearner
19 March 2012 at 8:09 PM
correction, shared on my twitter instead and am now following you! I am psychadelicchic!
Costa Rica SUP
29 March 2012 at 11:35 AM
Sounds like your having a blast “getting into the world of testing.” Sounds amazing. Did you check out Rio in Sarapiqui while you were in Costa Rica? I did a class 4 with some of my friends who had never been before and they almost killed me for it after the first rapid. We went in rainy season so the water was going pretty fast but I fell out a couple of times and seems like a pretty safe level 4. The scenery was phenomenal like going through the jungle book(when I was brave enough to take my eyes off the water). Good luck, sounds like your living the dream.
Nathan Menkveld
29 March 2012 at 11:47 AM
I did not make it to that river, but it sounds like another amazing experience in Costa Rica! I am jelous that you got to hit the river during the rainy season, and yes, my life has been full of wonderful oportunities. I dont know who originally said it, but travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Thanks for commenting!