Guide and River Rescue Training
Orion River Rafting has conducted a Guide & River Rescue training course for potential whitewater river rafting guides for 33 years. Our river guide and river rescue training instructors have more than 100 years of cumulative whitewater rafting experience and every year we strive to improve our program and build upon our successes.
In other words, you will be the recipient of the most comprehensive River Rafting Guide Training program in the western United States --- 13 days (one solid week and three weekends) to learn the entire range of skills required to be a professional white water rafting river guide.
Pacific NW White Water Rafting Guide Course • Washington Guide License • Training includes Rowing, Paddle Guiding, Expedition Travel, Rescue Techniques
Additionally, Orion River Rafting’s whitewater guide training and river rescue course meets and exceeds Washington State’s outfitter/guide licensing requirements. Our training begins with a 7-day overnight river trip for an intensive introduction to river rafting, expedition travel and back country camping. Besides being an excellent way to immerse newcomers to guiding, whitewater rafting and rescue scenarios, the 7-day river raft trip is an excellent opportunity for our instructors to work with each student on a personal basis. During the weekends in Washington, we plan a diverse sampling of Northwest rivers so that you to hone your whitewater-reading skills and get introduced to a variety of rivers.
Here is an overview of our 2012 Guide & River Rescue training schedule:
- Orientation Meeting - March 30 - 7pm
- 7-Day River Course - April 21 through April 28
- Weekend One - May 5/May 6
- Weekend Two - May 12/May13
- Graduation Weekend - May 19/May 20
Cost for our 13-day River Rescue & Guide Training Program: $495
Please Note: A professional river guide is required to have a current First Aid and CPR card. First Aid and CPR are NOT part of our program.
On the week-long Guide & River Rescue training course, Orion provides all meals, dry bags, necessary river gear (lifejackets, throwbags, safety lines, etc.), whitewater rafting instructors and shelter. On the weekends, Orion does not provide meals. With successful completion of Orion’s river guide training program, employment is not guaranteed; however, you will be provided with a certificate indicating your Guide & River Rescue level of expertise.
