mission statement and bios

Mission Statement

If you want genuine wild adventure then this is the place

What makes us unique?

– Equipment, professionalism, experience, location

Freak’n Creek’n is an eco-adventure company that operates throughout Colombia. We offer one-of-kind adventure activities utilizing the diverse landscapes of this stunning country: whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, paragliding, hiking, and cycling, as well as family adventures, cultural encounters, and wildlife tours.

Our mission is to share the rivers, natural resources and culture of Colombia, to explore its wild beauty while promoting conservation and community outreach. Working in areas that have been impacted by the violence of the past decades, we strive to set an example for sustainable tourism, and to have a positive role in the bright future of Colombia.

Our experience, knowledge and professionalism, accumulated over 30 years of exploring whitewater and nature’s many bounties, make us the best choice for adventure, and one of the reasons that we are the fastest growing company in Antioquia.

Cocorná: Paradise in the Clouds

After years of exploring South America for new and undiscovered rivers, Cocornà was found! A small town hidden beneath the heavy cloud of the mountain forests, steeped by cascading waterfalls and lush rolling hills, this valley is truly a paradise.

Cocorná is still a new name for many, making it a great place to enjoy an authentic Colombian experience. Visit a trapiche (sugar cane plantation) and stop for a coffee in town, or swim in one of the many natural springs and bask in the sun on the granite boulders. Keep an eye out for monkeys, colorful butterflies, and exotic birds.

Located just 60 km outside of Medellín, off the Medellín-Bogotá highway, Cocorná is remote while still accessible. Our venue is one-of-a-kind, perched on the mountainside with an exhilarating vista of the Cocorná valley and the 400 m El Venus waterfall. Eco trails lead down from our gourmet restaurant to luxurious private cabins, and the paragliding launch that will send you soaring through the clouds is right at your doorstep.

Freak’n Creek’n: A Backstory

Freak’n Creek’n is a pioneer company conceived with an eye for the road less travelled and a desire for a more complete experience. It all started in 1998 on in West Virginia, USA, where co-founder Robert Bibb and a few intrepid friends decided to leave behind the crowds of the Gauley River and explore different sections upstream. Custom-made, 11-foot rafts were designed for running low-volume technical steep rivers, or creeks. *(bear creek photo)** This same design was imported into the new stomping grounds in Colombia, where we are still running steep rivers and breaking new ground.

Freak’n Creek’n was established by whitewater and nature enthusiasts Robert Bibb and Dan Dunn.

Equipment and Team: It Makes a Difference!

With over 30 years of operating experience in the adventure tourism industry, we use only the highest quality certified equipment, imported from the USA.

We use custom, one-of-a kind 11-foot rafts (photos of rafts) that are especially designed for steep low-volume rafting. Large tubes and a small surface area make for a fun and stable experience in the Ferrari of river rafts.

US Coast guard-certified life jackets, never older than five years, will keep you afloat, with a helmet and paddle to match.

Our great fleet of whitewater kayaks is kept in excellent condition and is available for rental, including new models from name brands such as Liquid Logic, Pyranha and Waka Kayaks.

Our diverse and professional guides are at the core of our success, coming in from all parts of the world to share their stories and love of adventure. All are trained in Swiftwater Rescue and Wilderness First Aid.

It is easy to say that we have the best and most professional equipment and staff in Colombia.

Founder bios

How did we find this place? Dan had been Travelling South America for many years looking for the perfect place to start a new creative operation after traveling with friends to different parts of Colombia before arriving in Medellin as it was mentioned as a potential kayaking paradise. After arriving in Poblado we quickly realized that we were sounded by tall mountains lots of traffic and no kayaking we needed to get out. After a quick stop to a friends place Nico Mejia a local maps specialist from Medellin who also has an amazing hotel called la Pintada he helped us plan our accent out of the city and down into the first descent of the Cocorna river. (first corona photo )We arrived at a cloudy backdrop nothing much to see and Nico assured us that the magdalena river was down somewhere in that valley and that all the rivers connecting to it have good potential of having amazing whitewater. He dropped us off at a local Colombians house asked them if we could stay the night and they agreed with no hesitation he left that evening and we were 3 foreigners in the middle of a used to be red zone asking random people how do we get to such and such river. After being on that section of water for two days we came up only to find a nice little town with great coffee that we had not been able to see from the mountain side days before because of clouds. is this the whitewater paradise we have somehow stumbled upon it unknowingly?

Canadian, kayaker and professional raft guide Dan had been traveling South America for many years looking for the perfect place to start a project, after seeing Cocorna he knew he had found a very unique place and that it fit the perfect criteria that he was looking for. Completing many of the first descents of the rivers in the area no one knows this valley better. While on a rafting trip woking for his previous company he met Rob and the two of them starting talking about perhaps combining forces to bring the freakn creekn idea to Colombia but with new life and inspiration.

 Complete experience. Kayker background later on to become SEO mastermind and CEO of Blackwood productions and other innovations like the first internet space agency. Started original freakn creekn in 1998 with friends on the Gauley River running different sections of the river that nobody else had been doing. After many years in the industry Rob later started exploring new areas of south and Central America for less commercial rivers that still had the magic! After going on a rafting trip with his now co founder on the Rio Buey near Medellin he quickly realized that the rivers of Colombia still had the magic he was looking for. (Rob photos first clients in ducky) (Gauley River)

Cocorna

Cocornà was found! A small town hardly visible hidden beneath the heavy cloud of the mountain forests, sounded by lush rolling hills a valley scared into the earth this place is truly a paradise. Not basing ourselves in the city but instead forming an adventure center where you can come to one place for many different activities. Freakn Creekn was the first Adventure Company of its kind in this region pioneering lots of the area bringing you a suitable place to arrive and kick back.

Colombia is a country with a wide variety of environments: rivers and jungles in the mountainous cloud forests;

Food and drink

Our restaurant was founded on the idea of doing something a little different and spicing up new concepts is something we are always focused on. Pizzas, pastas, American style hamburgers fresh breads and baked goods, real bacon, fish, fries, chile, vegetarian meals are also available. All of our meals are mixed with a little southern twist providing you with a one of a kind experience that leaves your mouth watering. After years of exploring and finding some of Colombia’s Uniquest places to eat. One of the things that we missed the most was getting off the river and enjoying a burger and a beer. We created a multi – cultural restaurant to satisfy the hunger that ensues after a full day of fun and adventure. Our menu was built by the founders of Freakn Creekn with the help of many travelers who have stopped in along the way.

not only in our restaurant but also on our adventure trips can you find great food. local fruits and a delicious artesanal Guarapo or Sugar cain limeade made with 100% all natural ingredients are always available on our excursions. on our multi day adventures we like to combine effectiveness and ecological awareness together with a local made bandeja lunch (vegetables,salad,beans,egg,meat choice, arepa) wrapped into leaf and presented as a 100% recyclable lunch that can be discarded as compost.

Our vision

Loyalty

Outstanding safety record since 1998

We believe in a 100% satisfaction guarantee while working with our clients not looking to only impress you one time but to have you booking your next vacation right back to Colombia to come experience what may lay next. Being in this industry for over 30 years starting multiple adventure and tourism agencies including most our competition we can insure you without a doubt that our core values are focused primarily on your experience and not on our pockets. Our non profit Organization was developed to Teach ( bring new awareness to important environmental issues like garbage, water quality and waste management, kayaking classes, hiking trips and youth camps ) to Reach ( reach out to the community to get involved in local events, fundraising, english classes, employ local guides, preserve water ways ecosystems) and GO ( bringing people out into the nature, Organizing large free workshops and instructional trips, exploring new areas, and connecting with youth)

Eco Logical responsibility

Teaching and ecological responsibility are most important to us. Getting involved with the local community participating in and instructing courses in hopes of allowing today’s youth to become more connected with their soundings in nature. From Garbage clean up to river awareness we are always trying to reach the public by showing them a better way to think about these natural waterways and parks.

Preservation, Exploitation is rampant in the tourism industry with copycat agencies opening up every day we knew we could do things differently. Being Pioneers of the area and by exceeding the industry standards in every way from the vegetables we use to rates of pay of our employees it’s easy to not be like the other guys. Like great food we advocate great tourism – taking the time to absorb the culture and savor the experience of exploring new places. we believe there is no reason you can’t leave the crowds behind and connect with the real Colombia.

Readiness

Operating in an adventure tourism area can be exciting and sometimes events happen from plane crashes to car accidents. Being able to help in local emergencies and participate side by side with police officers and firefighters freak’n creekn’s guides are trained in wilderness first aid and search and rescue and are able and ready to lend aid in such circumstances 24/7. Our unique operation holds the highest standard when it comes to quality and assurance. Top of the line custom designed equipment suited to fit your adventure best certified by US standards we do not lower the level on any part of your experience.

Immersion into culture is good for both sides of tourism a interchangeable alliance is born between locals and new arrivals forming bonds that last for lifetimes. They are the most entertaining and highly qualified staff in Colombia.

Customer service

100 % satisfaction guarantee

Photography

We like to send a professional personalized photographer on our adventures to catch those memorable moments, photos are taken documenting your entire adventure. Photos are available for purchase at the completion of your trip.