Climbing a Coconut Tree With No Tools

This is how to climb a coconut tree with absolutely no tools. You can help but wonder if this most impressive skill is one that might not stand the test of time.

Felix works on the beach near the Grand Paradise Samana, Dominican Republic. If you’re there, he’ll be happy to collect one for you – tips are greatly appreciated.

How to climb a coconut tree with Felix Perez.

Since my arrival in the Dominican, I was obsessed with getting a fresh coconut. I was my goal to track down one that was edible. After an early experience, I figured out that only the ones still hanging were any good to eat.

Maybe my obsession was born in the fact that coconut is essentially a meal. It contains 283 calories per cup 27 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of sugar. What more could you ask for in a survival food.

Tempting as they are as a food item, they are quite inaccessible to the normal guy as the edible variety hang 30 feet up.

As I learned, dropped coconuts are often spoiled, rancid, decomposing, or too small due to being early aborted.

But the palm trees were everywhere, surely I would be able to track at least one down. The evidence was everywhere. They were truly ubiquitous.

The front desk of the resort I was staying said to look for a man working the beach by the name of Felix. But by my 5th day, I still hadn’t crossed paths with the man.

Early one morning, I can across a man who was climbing using a harness. But I was disappointed to find out that it was just a guy doing maintenance, and not collecting coconuts.

Enter Felix Perez, who lives in Samana, Dominican Republic

He lives in the city neighbouring The Grand Paradise Samana resort, but you’ll see him most of the day working on the beach at the resort where he collects coconuts for the tourists.

Near as I could tell, he is paid through tips alone so if you ever visit the resort be sure to let him know that you saw him on my channel and tip generously. He told me that he has to split the tips he gets with the resort so keep that in mind.

Felix is deaf, with only a little bit of hearing. He explained to me that he was deaf since birth. He communicates by making signs and with a bit of effort you can carry on a good conversation.

Unlike most palm tree climbers, Felix does not use any tools at all. He climbs with just his bare hands and feet.

If you’re up for it, Felix will put you up for shore lunch of fresh caught snapper and deep fried plantain. That’s a bit of a spoiler for the following week! Stay tuned!
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