Oar Raft and Paddle Raft Guide School
OAR RAFTING COURSE
The Whitewater Rafting - Rowing course is for individuals interested in learning the skills required to efficiently row a raft on rivers with class II-III rapids. This course includes advanced river reading, safety considerations, and rowing techniques.
This is an excellent course for a beginner boater who wants to learn the basics of running whitewater. We cover fundamental river safety and boating skills, including maneuvering oar-rigged boats. After two days you will gain experience reading and running class II-III whitewater.
Course Length: 2 Days
Course Price: $285/person for the group class. *Private instruction is available. Call for details.
Course Dates:
- April 13-14 2019 .
- June 8-9 2019 .
Skills covered in the Introduction to River Skills:
- Hydrology and Reading Water
- Safety Talks
- Throwbag Training
- Raft Flip Drills
- Equipment
- Rowing Techniques for an Oar-Rigged Boat
- On Water Practice on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
- Discussion of River Rescue Techniques
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.
PADDLE RAFTING COURSE
The Whitewater Rafting - Paddle course is for individuals interested in learning the skills required to efficiently paddle a raft on rivers with class II-III rapids. This course includes advanced river reading, safety considerations, and paddling techniques. In addition, the skills required to captain, or guide, a paddle raft in class II-III rapids will be introduced.
This is an excellent course for a beginner boater who wants to learn the basics of running whitewater. We cover fundamental river safety and boating skills, including maneuvering rafts. After two days you will gain experience reading and running class II-III whitewater.
Course Length: 2 Days
Course Price: $285/person for the group class. *Private instruction is available. Call for details.
Course Dates:
- April 6-7 2019
- June 1-2 2019
Skills covered in the Introduction to River Skills:
- Hydrology and Reading Water
- Safety Talks
- Throwbag Training
- Raft Flip Drills
- Equipment
- Commanding a Paddle Crew
- On Water Practice on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
- Discussion of River Rescue Techniques
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.
INTRO TO RIVER SKILLS
The Introduction to River Skills course gives students an opportunity to build the fundamentals of boat handling. Starting with dynamics of moving water, students learn how to read the river, pick their line, and maneuver their boat. We use both oar frames and paddle rafts.
This is an excellent course for a beginner boater who wants to learn the basics of running whitewater. We cover fundamental river safety and boating skills, including maneuvering both paddle rafts and oar-rigged boats. After two days you will gain experience reading and running class II-III whitewater.
Course Length: 2 Days
Course Price: $285/person for the group class. *Private instruction is available. Call for details.
Course Dates:
- June 18-19, 2019
- July 23-24, 2019
Skills covered in the Introduction to River Skills:
- Hydrology and Reading Water
- Safety Talks
- Throwbag Training
- Raft Flip Drills
- Equipment
- Rowing Techniques for an Oar-Rigged Boat
- Commanding a Paddle Crew for Paddle Rafts
- On Water Practice on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
- Discussion of River Rescue Techniques
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.
4 WEEKEND FULL COURSE
This course consists of 4 weekends (both Saturday and Sunday) over course of the month, in either April or June. The first weekend is spent developing paddle boat skills; the second weekend developing oar boat skills. The third weekend prepares students for an overnight trip, maneuvering through planning, packing and performing the tasks during the trip and time at camp. The last weekend gives students an opportunity to learn rescue techniques and perform scenarios in a Swiftwater Rescue Skills course
This comprehensive course is designed for the boater who would like to guide professionally or gain extensive knowledge about rivers and river safety. Learn how to command a paddle crew, maneuver an oar rig and prepare for the unexpected. In addition, you'll complete an Swiftwater Rescue for River Rescue. After six days you will be a confident boater, ready for commercial or private guiding. This course is comprised of a combination of the three courses below.
Course Length: 4 Weekends
Course Price: $1295/person for the group class. *Private instruction is available. Call for details.
Course Dates:
April 2019: 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
June 2019: 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23
Weekend 1:
Paddle Raft Course
Weekend 2:
Rowing Course
Weekend 3:
Overnight trip: maneuvering through planning, packing and performing the tasks during the trip and time at camp.
Weekend 4:
Swiftwater and River Rescue Class
Advanced River Skills: Learn how to assess equipment needs for extended trips, rig a boat, plan meals, set up a campsite, and prepare meals on the river. Preparing for an overnight trip; Packing List, Rigging Boats, Choosing a Route & Campsite Selection, Camp, Preparing Meals on the River, Break Down Camp, and Heading Home.
Equipment Needed
Drysuit or Wetsuit
USCG approved Type III or V PFD (life jacket)
Whitewater Helmet
Water booties or Tennis shoes
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.
INTRO TO RIVER SKILLS
The Introduction to River Skills course gives students an opportunity to build the fundamentals of boat handling. Starting with dynamics of moving water, students learn how to read the river, pick their line, and maneuver their boat. We use both oar frames and paddle rafts.
This is an excellent course for a beginner boater who wants to learn the basics of running whitewater. We cover fundamental river safety and boating skills, including maneuvering both paddle rafts and oar-rigged boats. After two days you will gain experience reading and running class II-III whitewater.
Course Length: 2 Days
Course Price: $285/person for the group class. *Private instruction is available. Call for details.
Course Dates:
- June 18-19, 2019
- July 23-24, 2019
Skills covered in the Introduction to River Skills:
- Hydrology and Reading Water
- Safety Talks
- Throwbag Training
- Raft Flip Drills
- Equipment
- Rowing Techniques for an Oar-Rigged Boat
- Commanding a Paddle Crew for Paddle Rafts
- On Water Practice on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
- Discussion of River Rescue Techniques
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.
THE RAFTING SCHOOL
The Rafting School is a comprehensive six day course that begins with basic boat handling skills and reading water, moves on to technical river rescue, and ends with an overnight trip to put all of your new skills to use.
This comprehensive course is designed for the boater who would like to guide professionally or gain extensive knowledge about rivers and river safety. Learn how to command a paddle crew, maneuver an oar rig and prepare for the unexpected. In addition, you'll complete an Swiftwater Rescue for River Rescue. After six days you will be a confident boater, ready for commercial or private guiding. This course is comprised of a combination of the three courses below.
Course Outline:
Days 1 & 2:
Introduction to River Skills
Days 3 & 4:
Swiftwater and River Rescue Class
Days 5 & 6:
Advanced River Skills: Learn how to assess equipment needs for extended trips, rig a boat, plan meals, set up a campsite, and prepare meals on the river. Preparing for an overnight trip; Packing List, Rigging Boats, Choosing a Route & Campsite Selection
Camp
Heading Home; " Preparing meals on the River, " Break down camp
Equipment Needed
Drysuit or Wetsuit
USCG approved Type III or V PFD (life jacket)
Whitewater Helmet
Water booties or Tennis shoes
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.
