Is Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua Really Awesome?
If you’re travelling in Nicaragua, everyone will tell you that the one thing you can’t miss is volcano boarding down Cerro Negro (the Black Hill) in León. Having looked at the ominous volcano from the roof of León Cathedral and after reading rave reviews from adventurous travel bloggers and TripAdvisor-happy backpackers who unanimously labelled the volcano boarding experience as AWESOME, I was still reluctant to go.
I’m no adrenaline junkie. The thought of hurting down a gritty 1600ft volcano on a thin plywood board at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour just didn’t appeal. If anything, it fills me with fear. Of course it didn’t take Luke long to persuade me that I should go for the sake of adventure. After all, this was a unique experience and I’d probably enjoy it once I got there, not to mention that the profits go to a good cause.
Two days later…
I fell out the back of a beat-up jeep onto the charcoal rocks beneath Cerro Negro. Our volunteer guide loosely hooked a plywood volcano board onto my back, leaving me looking like an optimistic child with a pair of home-made wings. I was ready for our 45-minute ascent.
The climb is relatively easy and not too steep, though the board is cumbersome enough that made my balance a little unstable. When we reached the top of Cerro Negro, it was glorious. You could see across the land for miles and the black slopes rolled beautifully. Unfortunately, we didn’t have very long to sit and admire the view.
How did volcano boarding go?
After a brief crash course from our guide, we got kitted up in canvas suits, looped bandanas around our mouths, and pulled down our mad scientist style goggles. I put my board at the edge of the gravel slope and plonked myself on top of it. Following our guide’s advice to sit up straight if I wanted to go slower, I sat bolt upright.
“You have to pull back hard if you want to go down,” Luke called out.
“I don’t really want to go down,” I replied.
A couple of Nicaraguan soldiers with their machine guns on their arms came over to look at the silly tourist on the volcano board. I reluctantly began to crawl down the slope so slowly that black stones built up and buried my board less than five metres from where I had started. I dug it out and began all over again.
After some more embarrassing false starts, I finally started whizzing down, much to my dismay. I was momentarily distracted by the crazy gorgeous sunset before jolting on a bump and realising that I was still gliding ungraciously on a flimsy plywood board. Seeing another bump in the stones and not wanting to risk being thrown off, I dug my feet in as firmly as I could, got off my board and walked down the last few metres of the slope.
“You don’t wanna do a grand finish?” shouted the jeep driver who was waiting at the bottom.
“Nah, I’m good,” I called back, spitting some dirt from my mouth.
Luke came shooting down the volcano in a cloud of grey dust. Seeing the bump he also slowed down enough to ensure that he didn’t lose control. However, not everyone managed to do the same. Shortly after, a girl was thrown off her board and into the sharp back stones. Some guys ran up to her, worried that she had broken something, but were relieved to find she was okay except for some bad bruises. Her tumble was bad enough that it could’ve been much worse.
Or faster…
Just like other adrenaline sports, volcano boarding isn’t without its risks. Rock fragments are flung into your face as you board down the slope and crashes aren’t that uncommon. Compensating for your speed can also be difficult further on, as we saw from many of the other boarders who had some less than graceful endings. Fortunately, we clambered into the back of the jeep with just blackened faces and wild hair.
Does volcano boarding in Nicaragua sound awesome to you? Would you want to give it a go?
Polly
Nope nope nope!! We skipped it because of the cost and I’d already hurt my ankle falling down stairs… Definitely not something someone so accident prone should try, I think!
Charlie on Travel
Haha! Glad to hear I’m not the only one who was reluctant, I was worried I was the only one! The cost was quite high too, though also only $5 more than just the normal hike up Cerro Negro which I’d wanted to do anyway. It’s the only tour we did while we were in Leon. Did you go on any? And ow, sorry to hear about the ankle!
Cat
Looks cool! And dangerous too, haha. How come they didn’t make you wear helmets?
Charlie on Travel
Yes, for sure a little dangerous! I guess because most people don’t sustain any injuries, though I think a helmet like a bicycle helmet would be a good idea!
Cassandra
Yikes!! I don’t think I’d be game to try this sport, either, especially if you only had a short introduction. Had you heard of anyone getting seriously injured on the volcano?
Charlie on Travel
The introduction was super brief, less than 1 minute. I haven’t heard about any serious injuries (our guide had only been volunteering for 2 or 3 weeks though, I think the volunteer turn over is reasonably high). I’m sure that serious injuries are really, really rare, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there have been a few.
Sharon
This piece just made me laugh out loud and I’m still smiling as I’m typing! I totally agree, that this doesn’t sound like a must do for everyone! Your blog on this volcano is so descriptive and funny that I feel that I was there watching you, so that’s enough for me! Thank you for putting yourself on the hot seat!
Charlie on Travel
Hi Sharon – glad to hear that other people feel the same way as me! It was a bit of an embarrassing experience to recount and I was worried everyone would just think I was a bore. I’m relieved that I’n not the only one a little unsure about volcano boarding haha.
Agness
Wow, this is absolutely amazing!! So much fun! Something I wish I could do soon.
Charlie on Travel
Look forward to reading about it whenever you get to try it! :)
Chanel | Cultural Xplorer
I was in Leon for about 5 days but never made it volcano boarding, and now I am wishing that I had done it!
Charlie on Travel
Oh really? I personally don’t think you missed out on much, though Cerro Negro itself was very cool! What did you do when you were in Leon?
Constance - Foreign Sanctuary
Wow! That looks very dangerous but a lot of fun! However, I don’t think I would ever be able to convince myself to do it!
Charlie on Travel
Really? I’m sure you would! That said, I doubt I would’ve convinced myself to do it without the encouragement from my boyfriend hehe.
Laura
I love some adrenaline activities, but this doesn’t seem like my cup of tea – the views are stunning though. Do they let you go up to enjoy the scenery and then come back down in the van?!
Laura
Sometime Traveller
Katie
Oh I did it already! I was the one who was jazzed to do it, and my bf was hesitant. Loved every minute of it, though at the end I was going a little too fast and was very nervous for a second that I was going to have a major tumble. All good though!
Joella in Beijing
I have to say I’m not sure about this one..I usually give anything a try once so i guess I would but maybe reluctantly.. ha!
Charlie on Travel
I mean, I gave it a go, but once was enough for me. I still think that anyone who likes a bit of a thrill would probably enjoy it.. :)
Natasha Amar
I wouldn’t do this without a helmet. But then again, I am not exactly the super adventurous type.
Your description is quite funny, by the way!
Charlie on Travel
Thanks for commenting and for the compliment, Natasha! I was pretty reluctant and without my boyfriend there to give me a push, I probably wouldn’t have either :/
Sarah
Haha! This was a great story! I’ve never done it, but would definitely try it, even at my age- my 70 year old parents did it, I think, can’t remember where!
Charlie on Travel
So glad you enjoyed it!! Your comment made me smile, that’s incredible!