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We focus on the core skills required to both be a successful commercial river guide & private boater. We spend 5 intensive days on arguably the best river in the world to learn how to guide the South Fork of the American River. There are also opportunities to spend time on more difficult rivers, e.g. Middle Fork American River, North Fork American River, or Slab Creek depending on flows & student progression.
Our main training will occur on The South Fork of the American from Chili Bar dam to Folsom Lake. This section of the South Fork stretches 21-miles with over 50 class II-III rapids that provide every style of rapid that you would find anywhere in the world.
Throughout our guide school we prioritize providing the most on-river & experiential learning time possible. This in turn will heighten your likelihood of getting work as a professional guide & your private boating skills.
Our intensive-experiential Guide School emphasizes learning to read whitewater, raft maneuvering, safety techniques, swift water rescue skills, camp skills, food prep, equipment care, river safety, natural history & the techniques to provide & exceptional safe & fun river trip.
Our instructors are the most experienced, knowledgeable & personable in the industry. With an average of over 15 years (Minimum 12 years) of full time, worldwide guiding experience & multiple credentials. They are acknowledged as among the best guides in the industry.
Self rescue
Flipped Rafts
Wraps
River 1st Aid
Throw Bag Skills
Knots & Rope Systems
Individual Raft Safety Instruction
Assisting another boat
Inventory of trip equipment
Loading & rigging equipment for transportation
Put-in Procedures
Rigging Boats
Pre-River Safety Talks
River Gear
Equipment Maintenance & Repair
Boat trips
Guide Skills, Customer Interaction, Care & Instruction, Boating Skills, Crew Instruction, Customer Safety, Paddle Instruction, River Hydrology & Dynamics, River Navigation, Scouting rapids, Reading, Whitewater, Raft maneuvering, Use of current & crew, Ferry Angles, Eddy Catching & Exiting, River Etiquette, Team Boating, Swimming, Getting swimmers back in raft, River Signals & Communication
Sanitation
Meal Prep/Cooking/Serving
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Kitchen Etiquette
Meal Clean-up
Our Whitewater Guide School will teach you the skills necessary to be a commercial guide for very skilled private boater. It is also perfect for those who just want to spend 5 days on the river with incredible people that more often than not become life-long friends bonded by a once in a life time transformative experience.
You do not need any outdoor or river rafting experience to participate in our guide school. You will learn rafting, camping, problem solving & interpersonal skills that you will carry through your life.
Guiding paddle boats on whitewater rivers, Swiftwater rescue techniques, Understanding river hydrology, Logistics & equipment for river trips, Elements to be a professional river guide.
It is not uncommon for people to excel in some areas & struggle with others. Don’t worry, this school is taught in an inclusive manner. All participants will be encouraged to excel & challenge themselves, no matter where their skill level is or where they are in their learning process. Whitewater guiding is a challenging activity that requires constant practice. Guide school is not the end of learning, it is just the beginning. If you want to be a good whitewater guide you should try to learn something every day you are around the river.
River Anatomy, Reading Rapids, Teamwork & Leadership Skill, River Safety, Boating Gear & Equipment Usage & Care, Commercial River Operations & Logistics, Customer Service, Whitewater Paddling Techniques, River Etiquette, Problem Solving, Emergencies & River Rescue, Knots & Rigging, Meal Preparation, Natural & Local History, Professional Guiding Requirements, Leading safe & fun whitewater rafting trips
We consider our guide schools an investment in our future. While it is definitely open & beneficial to all, & there is no guarantee of employment upon completion; it is our hope to find far more students that have the personality, demeanor & work ethics that we look for in our guides. This is why we actually run our guide school at a loss 5 day trip like this would cost $1807.92 & we may even be able to offer finance options to the right applicants.
