Team Dagger's Iker Beristain Van Dusen check's in from his home country of Mexico to answer 6 questions about paddling, Mexico, and where he's going this year.

Where are you from? Where do you live?

Mexico City, I’ve been living here my whole life.

How/Why did you start kayaking?

Both of my parents used to be kayakers, and I started rafting, when I was 12 I started to feel the river was calling me, and started kayaking.    

What makes a perfect day on the water for you?

Kayaking with my best friends, not having major accidents on the river, stouts, and close with bootie beverage if necessary (I prefer not drinking a bootie, but if you are not swimming then you are not pushing hard enough).     

Iker rolling into MeatLocker on the Big Banana section of the Alsecseca, Mexico

What’s the wildest place you’ve ever been in your kayak?

Chiapas maybe.

Iker gettin' skinny on another classic in Mexico!

When was the last time you were scared in your kayak?  Why?

Last time I ran the Silence drop in the Alceseca with the rapid, I ended in the cave on the left side. Not a place you want to be.   Luckily for me I managed to paddle out.

On the pool above 2nd Tomata, 2^nd attempt, I had ran this waterfall once and ended up getting a 2^nd place in Tribe Best Carnage contest. So it was my time to go, Rush, Evan, and myself were at the top, and Aniol and Rafa at the bottom.  2^nd Tomata had already gave Rafa a good carnage, but once you start paddling, fear becomes adrenaline, you just have to keep your concentration. (I had my revenge with a good line).       

What are your plans for this year?

We have been finding so much new good stuff lately here in Mexico, definitely some FD’s, and I have some big waterfalls in mind, just waiting for the rain to come, mainly Puebla, and Veracruz.  

 Mexico hike-ins equal lots of jungle and quality bridges!

Thanks Iker and hope to see you on the wonderful rivers of Mexico this year!