Whitewater Raft Guide Schools

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                    

Whitewater Raft Guide Schools for 20th Consecutive Year

Novice river runners or paddlers who want to learn how to safely lead whitewater raft trips safely can choose from one of three upcoming classes near Missoula. The comprehensive five day Whitewater Raft Guide Schools are being offered in April, May and June by Montana River Guides on the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers.  Montana River Guides instructors have been teaching the courses for twenty years.

After learning about proper equipment, boat rigging, trip preparation, river safety and reading water, students learn basic paddle commands and get the opportunity to guide both paddle and oar rafts under the supervision of instructors.

“The class focuses how to read the river and guide rafts in whitewater “ said Mike Johnston, owner of Montana River Guides. “We give students as much information as we can in the classroom  session  and then spend four and a half long days on the river, giving them hands-on experience. “

 Johnston said the Blackfoot River is ideal for introducing people to guiding because there are so many features in the river and plenty of places to practice simple maneuvers such as eddy turns, peel outs, and ferrying. After working on the Blackfoot the class will move on to the bigger whitewater of Alberton Gorge where they will get the opportunity to practice in-flow rescues, boat flipping, and reading more challenging rapids.

“After practicing swimming, self-rescue, and dealing with rescue situations, the students are ready to be challenged by the Gorge’s bigger rapids and features”, says Johnston.  “They’ll have to apply everything that they’ve learned to scout rapids, select their route, and then run the rapid safely as a team with their paddle crews.”

No experience is necessary. Participants who complete the class will  receive a Swiftwater Rescue Technician certification  from the Whitewater Rescue Institute. The first Whitewater Raft Guide School is April 1,2,7,8 & 9. Other sessions are scheduled for May 12-16 and June 10-14. The cost $485. For more information or to register call Montana River Guides at 406-214-0245.

A Long Harrowing Whitewater Swim

This video shows a long uncomfortable whitewater swim for a novice kayaker in over his head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9a3ucJm1vU

Swiftwater Rescue Training & Raft Guide Schools

April 17-19,25,26  Guide School            Missoula, MT

April 24-26     Whitewater Rescue- Tech       Missoula, MT                              

May 1-3         Whitewater Rescue Tech       Kalispell, MT

May 8-10         Whitewater Rescue Tech        Kern River, CA

May 8-10         Whitewater Rescue-Tech        Billings, MT                                                                                                                  

May 15-19        Raft Guide School                 Missoula, MT


May 18-19       Rafting Workshop                  Missoula, MT

May 15-17       Whitewater Rescue-Tech       Bozeman, MT

May 23-24       Whitewater Rescue-Tech       Big Sky, MT

May 25-26       Whitewater Rescue Tech        Gardiner, MT

May 29-31       Whitewater Rescue-Tech        West Glacier, MT

June 3-5  Whitewater Rescue-Tech        Gardiner, MT

June 12-14        Whitewater Rescue-Tech       Missoula, MT

June 12-16       Raft Guide School                 Missoula, MT

June 15-16       Rafting Workshop                  Missoula, MT

June 19-21       Whitewater Rescue Tech        Great Falls, MT

The Whitewater Rescue Institute at Montana River Guides is the Northwest’s leader in Swiftwater Rescue instruction. We are the only company in Montana certified to teach River Rescue and are setting the standard for professionalism and safety in our industry.

The Whitewater Rescue Institute is dedicated to providing the highest quality education for our students. We teach dynamic, scenario based Swiftwater Rescue courses that give our students not only a knowledge base to draw upon, but real hands-on experience with whitewater rescue. We offer a variety of whitewater rescue courses tailored to meet the needs of all river users.

Swiftwater Rescue Classes 2015

April 17-19,25,26  Guide School            Missoula, MT

April 24-26     Whitewater Rescue- Tech       Missoula, MT                              

May 1-3         Whitewater Rescue Tech       Kalispell, MT

May 8-10         Whitewater Rescue Tech        Kern River, CA

May 8-10         Whitewater Rescue-Tech        Billings, MT                                                                                                                  

May 15-19        Raft Guide School                 Missoula, MT


May 18-19       Rafting Workshop                  Missoula, MT

May 15-17       Whitewater Rescue-Tech       Bozeman, MT

May 23-24       Whitewater Rescue-Tech       Big Sky, MT

May 25-26       Whitewater Rescue Tech        Gardiner, MT

May 29-31       Whitewater Rescue-Tech        West Glacier, MT

June 3-5  Whitewater Rescue-Tech        Gardiner, MT

June 12-14        Whitewater Rescue-Tech       Missoula, MT

June 12-16       Raft Guide School                 Missoula, MT

June 15-16       Rafting Workshop                  Missoula, MT

June 19-21       Whitewater Rescue Tech        Great Falls, MT

Registration: Register by calling to confirm space in the class. We require a 50% deposit to hold your spot. Just call and give us a credit card number or send the deposit and your contact information to:

Montana River Guides

2439 Gilbert Ave,  Missoula, MT 59802

Agency billing can be arranged over the phone. If the course is cancelled or you cancel more than three weeks prior to the class a full refund will be made.  Otherwise you may forfeit your deposit. Our rescue classes are certified through theWhitewater Rescue Institute. For specific directions, a class outline, and lodging info, call Mike at (406)-722-7238 or 406-214-0245 (cell).

This weekend's swift water rescue class on the Clark Fork River

Montana Whitewater Rafting Guides --The Best

Montana Whitewater Rafting Guides
Alberton Gorge Raft Trips
Thanks go out to all of our guides who made this such a great season.  Martin, Rosie, Trevor, Jesse, Jenna , Jo, Bryant, Amanda, Paul, Everett, along with YaYa, Joe B, Drew, Charles, Jake and Megan...and of course Drummmond and his full moon.

Everett surfs the ledge on the Blackfoot River near Missoula with his SUP.  Montana surfing!