Whitewater River rafting Guide Training in Washington
As mentioned in National Geographic Adventurer magazine in 2007 This is a great opportunity for you river rafting enthusiasts to step into Professional River guiding, or even those of you who've never tasted whitewater-no previous experience necessary. Our guide training program turns out some of the best guides in the Western United States. Graduates of our program have gone on to guide and lead expeditions in Chile, South Africa, Asia, the Nile river, Sir Lanka, and Alaska, just to name a few. The program is designed to provide you with the skills and confidence needed to become a professional river guide and competently captain a paddle raft down intermediate rivers. You will learn boat navigation, river safety, hydrology, raft flipping, basic river rescue, trip logistics, and more. Various rivers within Washington become your classroom (specific locations depend on water levels). This course is fast paced and is physically and mentally demanding, but it will likely become one of your most memorable times -it is an experience that our guide staff holds near and dear.
River Recreation, Inc
With a collection of instructors equaling over 100 years of guiding experience, we easily have the most experienced team of instructors in the state. Each day of training, you'll be on the river, receiving top-notch, hands-on training in the art of commercial rafting. The average teacher-to-student ratio is 5 to 1, insuring you will get personal attention and answers to all your questions. The course exceeds the state of Washington's minimum requirement of 50 on-river training hours (we more than double these hours) to commercially guide a whitewater craft for profit. In fact you cannot find a company in Washington State with more training hours than River Recreation! (First Aid and C.P.R. certification is also required if you wish to guide commercially-we'll help you find a classes in your area). Although most students register for our whitewater school to become professional guides, others may sign up to become private rafting guides or simply to get seven weekends of 'hands-on' rafting for a very affordable price. We've been teaching quality education programs in a safe and supportive learning environment for over 20 years and look forward to working with you to reach your individual goals.
River Recreation, Inc
Upon completion of the course there is opportunity for guiding employment with River Recreation as we typically hire all graduates of the class to guide for us (no need to quit your day job-most guides have regular full-time jobs during the week and raft on weekends). River Recreation prides ourselves on being one of the best companies to guide for, with a progressive pay scale, sales bonuses, gear pro-deals and discounts, and an invitation to join our close-knit family of guides-you'll find many of us inseparable both on and off the river. We want our guides to enjoy their work and the river, and it shows in professional, well-run trips for our guests, while maintaining the family atmosphere that has always been the heart of River Recreation. We train the guides that other river companies seek out and attempt to hire. We emphasize the need to train our guides with the intention of employing them after training is completed. Don't be fooled - we train to employee, not just to keep ourselves busy like other companies.
River Recreation, Inc
Our guide training course takes place over seven weekends, beginning in March. Cost is $495. Upon full payment, you'll be offered discounts on new gear (or gear can be rented from us for the duration of the course). Please note: our class fills quickly, so make sure you get your registration in soon!
Go to our Information Request page or call 1.800.464.5899 for more information and to secure your place in this year’s class.