Guide School: Introduction to running rivers

Have you ever dreamed of taking your friends and family down a river in your own raft or even working as a professional guide but don't know where to start?

It starts here! Build a skillset for a lifetime on the water! 

Details:

• Upcoming dates:

          Spring 2026: TBD

• Tuition: $ 358
• Includes all course materials
• Includes all equipment
• Includes camping
• Includes Lunch
  

What to expect:

• Expect to get wet
• Expect to learn to self-rescue
• Each day of training starts in our classroom.  Readings and discussions from our carefully selected materials provide an opportunity to learn concepts, and vocabulary, and visualize scenarios.

• On-land skills sessions include:
• Equipment work; raft care, maintenance, personal gear
• Rope work; throw bag rescues, knot tying, anchor building
• Rigging a raft and learning about safety equipment

• On-the-water skills sessions include:
• Use of safety equipment
• River etiquette and safe practices
• Reading water & currents
• Paddle commands / commanding a crew
• River rescue basics
• Flipping a raft / recovering a raft

• As a team we move from river to river, section to section, and spend most of our time in and around the water.

Instruction:

An International Rafting Federation-approved curriculum. 

Prerequisites:

No previous experience is necessary

Participants must be 18+

We recommend that you be both in good general health and know how to swim.

Accommodations:

Students may choose to camp at our boat yard in BZ Corner, White Salmon, or make other arrangements. 

Please email us at info@pdxraft.com for more details or call our office.