These courses teach essential skills that range from beginners to advanced and will help you learn skills used to navigate Class I-4 whitewater. Participants will focus on fundamental maneuvers, river reading, hazard identification (like holes/waves), basic safety, and self/group rescue, emphasizing personal judgment, proper equipment use, and team responsibility for an enjoyable experience. 

Core Objectives & Skills

  • River Reading: Identifying features, hazards, and safe lines in rapids (waves, hydraulics).

  • Paddling Techniques: Efficient strokes, teamwork, and maneuvers to control the raft.

  • River Safety: Understanding river dynamics, personal safety, and basic rescue techniques (self-rescue, swimmer recovery).

  • Raft Handling: Maneuvering the raft effectively and learning guiding skills for paddle rafts.

  • Equipment: Familiarization with paddle raft gear and appropriate personal clothing. 

What You Learn

  • "Hard Skills": Strokes, boat control, and how to navigate specific river features.

  • "Soft Skills": Developing judgment, awareness, and responsibility for your group.

  • Leadership: Introduction to leading a paddle raft, managing incidents, and coaching others. 

Who It's For

  • Paddlers looking for more advanced skills and to gain confidence in larger, more difficult rapids.

  • Those wanting to learn the fundamentals of paddle rafting for personal or future guiding roles. 

Skill Development

Take your skills to the next level

Rafting Instructor teaching participants

Guide Schools

We specialize in personalized Multi-day Guide Schools for both commercial raft companies and private boaters of all levels.

Personalized instruction

All of our rafting courses have a low 6:1 participant-Instructor ratio. This allows us to deliver high-quality instruction, increases time management, enhances individualized attention, helps form more personal relationships, and promotes a more positive learning environment.
Kayakers scouting on the New River Gorge with team River runner
Rafters Below Sweets Falls on the Gauley River

We offer the following ACA courses:

  • Level 2: Essentials of Rafting - Paddle

  • Level 3: Rafting - Paddle

  • Level 4: Whitewater Rafting - Paddle

  • Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Rafting - Paddle

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KIDS WELCOME

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GROUP DISCOUNTS

Spring custom private raft course with Virginia Bluebells in the foreground

Course Bundle Deals

Kayaking Shenandoah River Shannondale

Whitewater Sampler Package

Whitewater Mentor

Bundle Courses for the Most Value!

Mentorship Program

BUNDLE IT!

Check our schedule to find this and other great courses!


Upcoming Events

All courses are internationally recognized as official American Canoe Association (ACA) courses. We teach paddling courses based upon approved ACA course outlines for both skills courses and assessments.

Learn more about the ACA and its requirements
Cancellation Policy

Contact:

Got questions?

We are happy to customize courses, offer private events, and travel to your location. Get in touch!

We look forward to hearing from you!