Four Corners Guides Returns to Veracruz for Packraft RoundUp, World-Class Whitewater

Four Corners Guides returned to Veracruz with a packraft roundup that Rodrigo described as drawing "close to 40 paddlers" to what the Aquabound interview calls the "first-ever Packraft México Roundup." Lizzy Scully captured the trip in a Four Corners Guides post titled “Packrafting in Veracruz: Back to Mexico for the 1st Packraft RoundUp & Worldclass Whitewater,” published Feb 25, 2026, whose opening fragment in the site copy reads "an international expeditio."

Rodrigo traces the idea back to a scouting run and a conversation in Mexico: "In February 2025, I paddled with Kent Ford in Chiapas and then in Veracruz," he told Aquabound, and "I casually mentioned that Veracruz would be a perfect place for a packraft roundup." He described a deliberate learning path that included local club work and targeted travel: "Following that guidance intentionally changed how I approached learning. I joined a local paddling club, started getting on the water consistently, and focused on building skills step by step." Rodrigo also noted the practical costs: "Traveling to the US for training was costly and meant time away from my family, so I had to be efficient."

The training timeline Rodrigo gave is specific and instructive. "On one 12-day trip, I completed packraft-specific swiftwater rescue training and shadowed trips on the Animas, San Juan and Dolores Rivers," he said, and he credited instructor connections for the next step: "During that same trip, I reached out to several Instructor Trainers, including Kent Ford, who connected me with Dave Bumgarner." That network, Rodrigo adds, led to certification: "That connection allowed me to complete my ACA Level 3 Packraft Instructor certification—the first in Mexico."

Four Corners Guides pairs that on-the-ground work with classroom-to-field course offerings and customer praise. Site testimonials include Jeremiah W.'s line, “All time course. Exceptional 5 days filled w/ on water experience, some of the best boaters out there, and solid one-on-one packrafting instruction. Easily accelerates your learning curve and comes with top notch dinners at the ranch. Go get it!” and Justin D.'s report: “My wife and I joined FCG for a one-day intermediate whitewater course and a three-day intro to bikerafting course and had a wonderful experience. The instruction, hospitality, and location were all top notch. I would highly recommend a course with Four Corners Guides!” The company’s site headlines and calls to action remain prominent, including "FOUR CORNERS GUIDES," "BIKE. PACK. RAFT," "WE’VE GOT ALL NEW WOMEN’S COURSES!" and "REGISTER NOW! SPRING COURSES ARE ALREADY SELLING OUT."

Visuals and gear details underpin the narrative. Aquabound and Aqua Bound imagery credited to Jacob Moon shows packrafts with an Aerial paddle on rocky shores and action shots: "a packraft and Aqua Bound Aerial paddle sit on the rocky shore while a man jumps from a waterfall into the river in the distance, Chiapas MX" and "a packrafter takes on whitewater on a river in Mexico, using Aqua Bound's Aerial kayak paddle" (Photo courtesy of Jacob Moon).

Social activity tied to the Veracruz coverage continued after the post: the fourcornersguides Instagram account posted "Packrafting Veracruz, part 1… Everything's funny and fun when you're with" on February 27, 2026, receiving 2 likes and 0 comments. From Rodrigo's February 2025 scouting with Kent Ford to the Roundup that welcomed "close to 40 paddlers," the reporting and photos point to a concrete path from one-season reconnaissance to a multi-day event that has pushed packrafting and instructor development into new ground in Mexico.