Master Swift Water Rescue and Technical River Rescue with the help of our river guide training courses.
Looking for professional swiftwater rescue and technical rescue training in Montana? Whether you want to become a river guide, a knowledgeable river recreation enthusiast, or trained public safety personnel we have the rescue courses for you. Our courses give you, the student, the opportunity to spend the bulk of the course on the river developing a foundation of real rescue training skills through practical emergency scenarios with hands-on training.
Great Northern Resort offers hands-on, scenario-based safety courses designed for aspiring river guides, outdoor enthusiasts, and emergency public safety personnel.
Professional swiftwater rescue courses in Montana with certified ACA instructors
Why choose our swiftwater rescue school in West Glacier?
- Guide-ready credentials: Our Advanced Swiftwater Rescue course includes a formal skills-and-qualifications assessment – an essential document to show outfitters when applying for professional river guide jobs in Montana.
- Hands-on training: Spend the bulk of your course on the water practicing active swimming, throw-bagging, and boat-wrapping scenarios.
- ACA certification: Every course includes an official American Canoe Association (ACA) L4 Swiftwater Rescue participation card and the official Swift Water Rescue workbook.
Summer 2026 dates:
- River Rescue Course: June 19–20, 2026
- Women’s Specific River Rescue: June 20–22, 2026
- Advanced River Rescue & Other Courses: Available on request
Explore swiftwater and technical river rescue classes
River Rescue
The River Rescue is designed for private boaters. This is an excellent course if you want an introduction to river rescue. We work on developing the skills needed for river runners!
The River Rescue is a course designed for boaters. We work on developing the skills needed for river runners! This course is the best fit for people that run rivers and have some ability to read water. The primary focus of this course is prevention of river issues by thinking and talking through river emergencies. The course has sections that focus on rafting, fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Make sure to let your instructor know your preferred craft so they can tailor the course to your needs.
Course Dates
April 25-26, 2026
June 19-20, 2026
Private Classes Available
Class begins at 9:00am sharp unless notified otherwise. There will be time for breaks, most people prefer to bring a lunch.
Course Length
2 days
Course Price
$350
Skills Covered
- Hydrology and Reading Water
- Medical Considerations
- Evacuation Considerations
- Safety Talks
- Aggressive Swimming Techniques
- Defensive Swimming Techniques
- Strainer Swim and Self Rescue
- Throwbag Training
- Shallow Water Crossings
- Foot Entrapments
- Body Entrapments
- Contact Rescues
- Live Bait Rescues
- Raft Flip Drills
- Kayak Pins
- Wrapped Boats
- Rope Skills
- Rope Strengths & Construction
- Anchor Building
- Knots & Hitches
- Mechanical Advantage
- Tension Diagonal
What to Bring
Required Equipment
- Personal Flotation Device
- Drysuit or Wetsuit
- Helmet
- Sturdy Footwear
- Neoprene Gloves
Suggested Equipment
- Locking Carabiner
- Throwbag (so you can practice with what you will use)
- River Knife
- Whistle
Great Northern has rental equipment available. Call to reserve.
Women’s Specific River Rescue
The Women’s Specific River Rescue is a course covers the essentials of swiftwater safety and rescue in a super supportive all lady environment. Develop your rescue skills for river running!
The Women’s Specific Swiftwater Rescue workshop teaches execution of self-rescue techniques, recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on simple, commonly used safety skills and on personal safety. We cover fundamental and more advanced techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments, strainers, rescue vest applications, and boat pins.
Course Dates
June 20-22 2026.
Private Classes Available
Class begins at 9:00am sharp unless notified otherwise. There will be time for breaks, most people prefer to bring a lunch.
Course Length
3 days
Course Price
$425
Skills Covered
- Hydrology and Reading Water
- Key Self Rescue Skills
- Evacuation Considerations
- Gain Experience using a rescue PFD
- Aggressive Swimming Techniques
- Defensive Swimming Techniques
- Strainer Swim and Self Rescue
- Throwbag Training
- Shallow Water Crossings
- Foot Entrapments
- Body Entrapments
- Contact Rescues
- Live Bait Rescues
- Raft Flip Drills
- Methods for Recovering Swimmers
- Wrapped Boats
- Rope Skills
- Rope Strengths & Construction
- Anchor Building
- Knots & Hitches
- Mechanical Advantage
- Tension Diagonal
What to Bring
Required Equipment
- Personal Flotation Device
- Drysuit or Wetsuit
- Helmet
- Sturdy Footwear
- Neoprene Gloves
Suggested Equipment
- Locking Carabiner
- Throwbag (so you can practice with what you will use)
- River Knife
- Whistle
Great Northern has rental equipment available. Call to reserve.
River Rescue
The River Rescue is designed for private boaters. This is an excellent course if you want an introduction to river rescue. We work on developing the skills needed for river runners!
The River Rescue is a course designed for boaters. We work on developing the skills needed for river runners! This course is the best fit for people that run rivers and have some ability to read water. The primary focus of this course is prevention of river issues by thinking and talking through river emergencies. The course has sections that focus on rafting, fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Make sure to let your instructor know your preferred craft so they can tailor the course to your needs.
Course Dates
April 25-26, 2026
Private Classes Available
Class begins at 9:00am sharp unless notified otherwise. There will be time for breaks, most people prefer to bring a lunch.
Course Length
2 days
Course Price
$350
Skills Covered
- Hydrology and Reading Water
- Medical Considerations
- Evacuation Considerations
- Safety Talks
- Aggressive Swimming Techniques
- Defensive Swimming Techniques
- Strainer Swim and Self Rescue
- Throwbag Training
- Shallow Water Crossings
- Foot Entrapments
- Body Entrapments
- Contact Rescues
- Live Bait Rescues
- Raft Flip Drills
- Kayak Pins
- Wrapped Boats
- Rope Skills
- Rope Strengths & Construction
- Anchor Building
- Knots & Hitches
- Mechanical Advantage
- Tension Diagonal
What to Bring
Required Equipment
- Personal Flotation Device
- Drysuit or Wetsuit
- Helmet
- Sturdy Footwear
- Neoprene Gloves
Suggested Equipment
- Locking Carabiner
- Throwbag (so you can practice with what you will use)
- River Knife
- Whistle
Great Northern has rental equipment available. Call to reserve.
Advanced River Rescue
The Advanced River Rescue is a course designed for professional river guides. The scenarios practiced and discussed in this class are pulled directly from common river issues that professional boaters encounter.
The Advanced River Rescue is designed for professional river guides or those interested in guiding. The scenarios practiced and discussed in this class are pulled directly from common river issues that guides encounter. The primary focus of the course is prevention and developing situational awareness that will help to minimize risks and shorten response times.
Course Dates
Sold out for 2026 Season.
Private Classes Available
Class begins at 9:00am sharp unless notified otherwise. There will be time for breaks, most people prefer to bring a lunch.
Course Length
3 days
Course Price
$425
Skills Covered
- Hydrology and Reading Water
- Medical Considerations
- Evacuation Considerations
- Safety Talks
- Aggressive Swimming Techniques
- Defensive Swimming Techniques
- Strainer Swim and Self Rescue
- Throwbag Training
- Shallow Water Crossings
- Foot Entrapments
- Body Entrapments
- Contact Rescues
- Live Bait Rescues
- Raft Flip Drills
- Kayak Pins
- Wrapped Boats
- Rope Skills
- Rope Strengths & Construction
- Anchor Building
- Knots & Hitches
- Mechanical Advantage
- Tension Diagonal
- Searches and Communications
- Real Life Scenarios
- Night Operations*
What to Bring
Required Equipment
- Personal Flotation Device
- Drysuit or Wetsuit
- Helmet
- Sturdy Footwear
- Neoprene Gloves
Suggested Equipment
- Locking Carabiner
- Throwbag (so you can practice with what you will use)
- River Knife
- Whistle
Great Northern has rental equipment available. Call to reserve.
Benefits of learning river rescue in West Glacier
- Hands-on experience: We prioritize active, in-water practice over classroom lectures so your physical muscle memory is ready when it matters.
- ACA-certified curriculum: Learn verified, industry-standard safety protocols under the guidance of top-tier ACA instructors.
- Build critical communication: Rescue scenarios teach groups how to communicate clearly and coordinate movements under pressure.
- Stunning natural classroom: Train right on the edge of Glacier National Park on the beautiful, pristine waters of the Flathead River.
- Professional credentials: Earn your ACA L4 participation card to boost your outdoor resume or professional guiding qualifications.
Tips for getting the most out of swiftwater rescue courses
Listen closely to your instructor. All of our educators practice Leave No Trace ideologies and are ACA certified—they are experts in dynamic water environments. For safety purposes, and to ensure everyone gets the absolute most out of these fast-paced emergency scenarios, please be respectful of your instructor and others in your group.
What to wear for swiftwater rescue training
Because you will be spending a significant amount of time actively swimming and practicing drills in cold glacier-fed water, dressing properly is essential to staying comfortable and warm.
On the water:
- Wetsuit or drysuit (highly recommended; check with us regarding rentals if needed)
- Water shoes or booties with a thick protective sole and heel strap. No flip-flops.
- Quick-dry layers (synthetic or wool-based). Avoid cotton entirely, as it stays wet and drains body heat.
- Thermal rash guards or fleece underlayers
- Sturdy helmet and PFD (will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own river-approved gear)
- Sunscreen (preferably reef-safe)
- Personal water bottle
What NOT to bring:
- Expensive jewelry or watches
- Non-waterproof cameras or phones
- Car keys (we can secure these at our office)
- Anything else you would be heartbroken to lose to the river current!
Forgot something? Our resort shop in West Glacier is fully stocked with chums (eyewear retainers), sunscreen, waterproof accessories, warm sweatshirts, snacks, and hot drinks for after your course.
This institution is operated under special use permit with the Flathead National Forest.
Ready to master swiftwater rescue in West Glacier?
If you aren’t sure which level of rescue training matches your goals, our guides are happy to help you find the perfect fit. Let us know if you have any questions before booking your swiftwater course with Great Northern Resort.
Swiftwater Rescue & Technical Rope Rescue Gallery
