Kane Cervilla
Age: 16
Hometown: Quepos, Costa Rica (near Manuel Antonio National Park)
Kane is a passionate young fly-fisherman hailing from the scenic Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the town of Quepos. Growing up surrounded by the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park and the adventurous spirit of his father, Philipe, a raft guide turned fly-fishing guide at the Jungle Tarpon Reserve for this season, Kane was destined to embrace the outdoor lifestyle. From a young age, Kane’s father introduced him to the world of fly fishing, sparking a deep
interest that has since become a core part of his life. Being fluent in both Spanish and English, Kane’s bilingual abilities have become an invaluable asset, especially when it comes to teaching English-speaking students who participate in Fish for Change trips. His connection with students his own age allows him to act as a bridge between the international participants and Costa Rican culture, fostering a more personal and immersive experience for everyone involved.
"My dad introduced me to fly fishing a few years ago when he went fishing. He always took me along, and little by little, I became more interested." That introduction quickly grew into a passion, Kane received the opportunity learning from some of the best guides in the country he seized it. His love for fly fishing is not just about the sport, but also about connecting with the natural world around him. Through the Fish for Change "Journey of Water" program, Kane has gained invaluable experience that goes beyond just fishing. The program, which brings together young people from various countries, has helped Kane develop essential interpersonal skills and build connections with people from around the world. The skills Kane has learnt from the guides are skills he would like to put into use in his future career aspects. He says, "The Journey of Water helps us create bonds with people from other countries that we only share one thing in common—and that is the passion for fly fishing. It has helped me gain skills from the guides in order to work in the tourism industry, showing me how to develop my interpersonal skill set." From understanding the nuances of guiding international tourists to appreciating the importance of sustainable practices, Kane’s time with Fish for Change is laying the groundwork for his professional future.
Kane had an impact on all of the group, Tristan Earp, hailing from California participated in the ‘Journey of water’ this summer, He reflects; “Kane was a crucial part in making our adventures in Costa Rica as incredible as they were. He provided insight on the amazing and rich culture of Costa Rica. He helped guide the group in so many ways from recommending his favorite local dishes, snacks and drinks to helping Maikell (another local student, who spoke very little English) feel included even though there was a language barrier. He also shared his knowledge of the local plants and animals. There was never a dull moment with Kane as he shared local slang, funny stories as well as always bringing an incredibly positive attitude. I was fortunate enough to be able to practice my Spanish skills with him and definitely saw a major improvement in my Spanish over the week. It was interesting to see how much he learned throughout the trip. His passion for sharing the culture and beauty of Costa Rica with others was very evident from the very beginning. These trips also introduced Kane to a greater variety of
new fly-fishing techniques that will be crucial to his success in his career aspirations. One of the fish we targeted on our trip was Machaca, a species of fish like the piranha, but mostly vegetarian. They are a species Kane is very familiar with; he was able to provide great guidance on techniques as fishing for Machaka is very different from traditional fly fishing”
For Kane, the uniqueness of Fish for Change lies in its exceptional professionalism and deep-rooted commitment to nature. He is particularly impressed by the guides, who not only excel in fly fishing but are also skilled naturists. "Fish for Change is unique because its professionalism and knowledge is incredible. The guides are excellent naturists and amazing at showing us wildlife. It also teaches how to protect wildlife, something we need to encourage." As much as it
is a vacation, it is also a week of work experience. This trip really is key, to helping shape the next generation of local guides. Kane believes that local youth would benefit greatly from participating in Fish for Change trips."I recommend it because it is a unique experience traveling around the country with people from different countries, in the hunt for incredible fishing." For Kane, the experience has been transformative, allowing him to explore his home country in a new way while forming lasting friendships with like-minded individuals from different parts of the world, many of whom he regularly keeps in touch with. When asked what he would like to share with the world about Costa Rica, he says "There are so many things that I would like the world to know about Costa Rica, but the most important thing is that we are Pura Vida." This simple yet profound phrase encapsulates the essence of Costa Rican culture—one of positivity, gratitude, and a deep connection with nature.
Age: 16
Hometown: Quepos, Costa Rica (near Manuel Antonio National Park)
Kane is a passionate young fly-fisherman hailing from the scenic Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the town of Quepos. Growing up surrounded by the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park and the adventurous spirit of his father, Philipe, a raft guide turned fly-fishing guide at the Jungle Tarpon Reserve for this season, Kane was destined to embrace the outdoor lifestyle. From a young age, Kane’s father introduced him to the world of fly fishing, sparking a deep
interest that has since become a core part of his life. Being fluent in both Spanish and English, Kane’s bilingual abilities have become an invaluable asset, especially when it comes to teaching English-speaking students who participate in Fish for Change trips. His connection with students his own age allows him to act as a bridge between the international participants and Costa Rican culture, fostering a more personal and immersive experience for everyone involved.
"My dad introduced me to fly fishing a few years ago when he went fishing. He always took me along, and little by little, I became more interested." That introduction quickly grew into a passion, Kane received the opportunity learning from some of the best guides in the country he seized it. His love for fly fishing is not just about the sport, but also about connecting with the natural world around him. Through the Fish for Change "Journey of Water" program, Kane has gained invaluable experience that goes beyond just fishing. The program, which brings together young people from various countries, has helped Kane develop essential interpersonal skills and build connections with people from around the world. The skills Kane has learnt from the guides are skills he would like to put into use in his future career aspects. He says, "The Journey of Water helps us create bonds with people from other countries that we only share one thing in common—and that is the passion for fly fishing. It has helped me gain skills from the guides in order to work in the tourism industry, showing me how to develop my interpersonal skill set." From understanding the nuances of guiding international tourists to appreciating the importance of sustainable practices, Kane’s time with Fish for Change is laying the groundwork for his professional future.
Kane had an impact on all of the group, Tristan Earp, hailing from California participated in the ‘Journey of water’ this summer, He reflects; “Kane was a crucial part in making our adventures in Costa Rica as incredible as they were. He provided insight on the amazing and rich culture of Costa Rica. He helped guide the group in so many ways from recommending his favorite local dishes, snacks and drinks to helping Maikell (another local student, who spoke very little English) feel included even though there was a language barrier. He also shared his knowledge of the local plants and animals. There was never a dull moment with Kane as he shared local slang, funny stories as well as always bringing an incredibly positive attitude. I was fortunate enough to be able to practice my Spanish skills with him and definitely saw a major improvement in my Spanish over the week. It was interesting to see how much he learned throughout the trip. His passion for sharing the culture and beauty of Costa Rica with others was very evident from the very beginning. These trips also introduced Kane to a greater variety of
new fly-fishing techniques that will be crucial to his success in his career aspirations. One of the fish we targeted on our trip was Machaca, a species of fish like the piranha, but mostly vegetarian. They are a species Kane is very familiar with; he was able to provide great guidance on techniques as fishing for Machaka is very different from traditional fly fishing”
For Kane, the uniqueness of Fish for Change lies in its exceptional professionalism and deep-rooted commitment to nature. He is particularly impressed by the guides, who not only excel in fly fishing but are also skilled naturists. "Fish for Change is unique because its professionalism and knowledge is incredible. The guides are excellent naturists and amazing at showing us wildlife. It also teaches how to protect wildlife, something we need to encourage." As much as it
is a vacation, it is also a week of work experience. This trip really is key, to helping shape the next generation of local guides. Kane believes that local youth would benefit greatly from participating in Fish for Change trips."I recommend it because it is a unique experience traveling around the country with people from different countries, in the hunt for incredible fishing." For Kane, the experience has been transformative, allowing him to explore his home country in a new way while forming lasting friendships with like-minded individuals from different parts of the world, many of whom he regularly keeps in touch with. When asked what he would like to share with the world about Costa Rica, he says "There are so many things that I would like the world to know about Costa Rica, but the most important thing is that we are Pura Vida." This simple yet profound phrase encapsulates the essence of Costa Rican culture—one of positivity, gratitude, and a deep connection with nature.