Riverboarding the Petrohue River near Puerto Varas

Hydrospeed in Ensenada, near Puerto Varas, is a solo run on a floating board through the Petrohue River rapids, inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. Unlike raft trips, each person rides in the water on their own board.

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Quick facts

Duration: Half day (1 h 15 min on the water)
Minimum age: 16+
Group: Minimum 2 people
Season: Spring, summer and autumn
Price: CLP 45,000 per person
Route: 8 km of river
Difficulty: Class III
Requirement: Must be able to swim

Bilingual guide
All gear provided
Transfer to the river
Snack
Video of your run
Accident insurance

Three people in red helmets on hydrospeed boards on the Petrohue River

A person rides a white water rapid on a hydrospeed board

Two people in helmets ride a rapid on their hydrospeed boards

Two people on hydrospeed boards among white water and rocks

A safety kayaker escorts a hydrospeed group on the river

A hydrospeed group on the Petrohue River with Osorno Volcano in the distance

What is hydrospeed?

Hydrospeed, also called riverboarding, is an adventure sport where you lie on a floating plastic board and ride the rapids at speed, in the water. The board supports your chest and arms, and you move with fins. It is a strictly solo sport that mixes rafting, kayaking and bodyboarding techniques. It has been practiced since the mid-1980s and keeps gaining fans in Chile, because it is easy to learn and safe when done with the right gear. On the Petrohue River it is the water sport everyone talks about: an adventure only some dare to try.

The route: 8 km of class III rapids

The run covers 8 km of class III rapids on the Petrohue River: a half-day tour with 1 h 15 min on the water.

The lower river, with volcano views

Hydrospeed runs the lower Petrohue, the same stretch as the rafting. Depending on the water level, the run usually starts at Los Gansos and continues through the rapids La S, Los Pollos and La Garganta del Diablo. The upper Petrohue is not run because of the Petrohue Falls. Since you ride at water level, the waves feel bigger than from a raft. On the calm stretches you see the Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo volcanoes and the forest of the national park.

The key tip: never let go of your board

The main thing is not to let go of your board: it is your craft on the river. If you fall off, do not worry: the life jacket keeps you afloat. Another good tip is to sleep and eat well a few hours before, so you have energy and tire less. The board is for one person, but it is best to bring a good group of friends: more fun and safer.

What's included and what to bring

Gear included: wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and fins

The gear includes a full-body wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and fins, plus knee and shin guards if needed. The tour also includes the transfer from our base in Ensenada, a bilingual guide, a safety kayaker, a snack, a video of your run and accident insurance.

What to bring

A towel and a swimsuit, or a change of underwear, to wear under the wetsuit. The base has changing rooms. The base in Ensenada has changing rooms, bathrooms and parking.

Safety and requirements

Guide instructor and rescue kayaker

An instructor guide and a rescue kayaker stay with you for the whole run. Before you get in the water, the guide explains how to use the board and how to move in the rapids, and you practice before setting off. TerraSur is a direct operator: we work personally on every trip, with local guides and up-to-date certifications. We have more than 20 years of adventure travel in southern Chile.

Ages 16+ and able to swim

Hydrospeed is for ages 16 and up, and you must be an intermediate or advanced swimmer. No previous experience is needed, but very good physical condition is recommended. Each trip needs a minimum of 2 people. Each guide takes up to 4 people, and a safety kayaker goes along. If you are on your own, you can join another group. For children from age 10, the alternative is rafting.

Getting to Ensenada from Puerto Varas

The meeting point is the TerraSur base in Ensenada, on Route 225 km 44, a short walk from Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.

From Puerto Varas: 44 km on Route 225

From Puerto Varas, take Route 225 (Ruta 225) toward Ensenada along Lake Llanquihue, about 45 minutes by car. In summer and on weekends, allow 10 to 15 minutes more. The included transfer is between the base and the river.

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Hydrospeed price and season

Hydrospeed price: CLP 45,000 per person, with full gear, a guide and a safety kayaker. For one person alone the price is CLP 60,000. Hydrospeed runs in spring, summer and autumn; not in winter, because of the cold. To book, message us on WhatsApp with your date and group size.

More adventures on the Petrohue River

Rafting and ducky on the same river

There are two other ways down the same stretch of river: rafting, from age 10 and with a minimum of 4 people, or a ducky, an inflatable kayak, from age 16.

Stay at our base: Barlovento cabins and campsite

Barlovento is the same company, at the same place: you can stay in lakeside cabins with hot tubs or at the campsite with lake beach access, steps from the meeting point.

Hydrospeed FAQ

Hidrospeed or hydrospeed: is it the same?

Yes, same sport. "Hydrospeed" is the English and French name; it is also called riverboarding.

Is hydrospeed dangerous?

The rapids are class III and you run them with full gear, an instructor guide and a rescue kayaker. If you let go of the board, the life jacket keeps you afloat. There is a briefing and a practice session before the trip.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes, you must be an intermediate or advanced swimmer, and very good physical condition is recommended. Before setting off there is a briefing and a practice session, and a safety kayaker goes with the group.

What is the minimum age for hydrospeed?

Hydrospeed is from age 16. For younger children, rafting is from age 10.

How long is the hydrospeed trip?

It is a half-day tour, with 1 h 15 min on the water and 8 km of river.

How much does hydrospeed cost near Puerto Varas?

Hydrospeed costs CLP 45,000 per person. For one person alone the price is CLP 60,000.

Hydrospeed or rafting: which one?

Hydrospeed is solo and you ride in the water: from age 16, able to swim, minimum 2 people. Rafting is a team activity in a raft: from age 10, minimum 4 people. Both run the same stretch of the Petrohue River.

Is there a minimum group size?

Each trip needs a minimum of 2 people. Each guide takes up to 4 people, and a safety kayaker goes along. If you are on your own, you can join another group.

Do you offer pickup from Puerto Varas?

The included transfer is between our base in Ensenada and the river. The meeting point is our base in Ensenada, 44 km from Puerto Varas.

When is the hydrospeed season?

Spring, summer and autumn. It does not run in winter, because of the cold.

Where can I do hydrospeed in southern Chile?

On the Petrohue River, near Puerto Varas: class III rapids inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, starting from Ensenada.