We will teach you all the basics on being a professional commercial whitewater raft guide.

This class will include outdoor classroom and lots of hands-on practice on the river, as well some ropes instruction on land.

At the end you will have to basic knowledge to apply for a job as a whitewater raft guide, and or take your friends and family out safely on the river.

Training will include but isn’t limited to how to:

• Preparing and Rigging a Raft for a day on the water
• Steering a raft with a paddle, also known affectionately as ‘stick guiding’
• Using your crew to maneuver through rapids
• Learning about obstacles in the river, and how to avoid them
• What are ‘Holes’ in the river, and how to expertly maneuver through them
• ‘Reading the river’ – How to understand Flow, Currents, CFS, Eddies, and more!
• ‘Lines’ for rapids, and instruction on the many ways to run a rapid
• Understanding, Catching and Using ‘Eddies’
• How to get off rocks if you become stuck in a rapid- Oh so important!
• Swimming rapids, and the most effective and safe ways to do so.
• Flipping over an Overturned Raft
• Hand Signals for effective communication on the river
• Making lunches…. river style!
• How to use a Rescue Bag, also known as a ‘Throw Bag’
• Safety and Paddle Talks for customers.

…And more!

This noncompetitive 5-day class will be done mostly on the class III+ Pigeon Point section of the Trinity River and may include a day on some harder, class IV whitewater (flow dependent). Free camping and parking onsite at Six Rivers Rafting in Junction City is included as is lunch each day. All rafting gear is provided at no extra charge. Minimum of 1 instructor per every 5 students.

Swiftwater Rescue Classes to Follow Guide School: May 28th & 29th, 2025: courses.sierrarescue.com/reserve/river-rescue-certificat

If you are not sure which class to sign up for, please feel free to reach out for any and all questions!