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Category: Schools

Rogue River rowing school

While our Trip Details PDF is a highly refined document that answers most questions about our rowing schools, you may have some more questions on your mind. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear about our Class III Rowing School. Can I share a raft with my Friend/Partner/Child? Unfortunately, no. In this course you’ll be rowing your own raft and we don’t allow passengers in that raft while you are learning. My Friend/Partner/Child wants to join the trip, but doesn’t want instruction… Read More

Oar Raft Maneuvering Terminology

This article contains terms we use in our whitewater rowing schools. Although some of this is specific to rowing oar rafts, the terminology is consistent with paddle rafts and kayaks. Ferries Ferry (or “ferrying”) is a general term that describes moving laterally across the current. This occurs when being positioned at an angle (“ferry angle”) to the current and moving at a different speed than the current.  A Ferry Angle is the angle between your boat and the current that causes lateral movement across the… Read More

Whitewater Rowing on the Hood River

Whitewater rafting is a sport that has changed my life, so I am particularly interested in helping others work on their whitewater skills in a responsible manner. To facilitate learning, I created a rowing course and curriculum in 2006, which we originally called a “recreational guide school.” Since then, we’ve learned a ton about how people learn about and improve their whitewater rowing, river safety, and river rescue techniques. The following is a progression to consider while working on your all-around whitewater rafting skills. First, Learn… Read More

Oar rafts on the Hood River

At Northwest Rafting Company, we pride ourselves on creating more confident and skilled boaters through professional instruction. From rowing schools to International Rafting Federation guide workshops, we instruct beginners and professionals alike year-round. Which Course is Right for Me? One of the most frequent questions we receive is, “Which course is right for me?” The answer depends on your background, skillset, and goals. To help summarize the differences between courses, we developed this guide to help sort through course details. If one of the categories below… Read More

River Training Equipment

Disclaimer: We receive a commission when you click some of the links on this page and purchase items through Amazon. Personal Floatation Device (PFD) A PFD (commonly known as a “life jacket”) is the single most important piece of safety gear you own since it helps keep your head above water. Beyond comfort and style, there are a few other things you should consider: Choose bright colors, such as red, orange, and yellow that make you visible to a rescuer. Get as much flotation as possible… Read More

Throw Bag Practice

In March 2019 we are offering an International Rafting Federation (IRF) Guide Training & Education (GTE) workshop. In this article IRF instructor Mark Hirst answers a few of the most commonly asked questions. Q: What is the IRF? A: The International Rafting Federation (IRF) is the international body that represents the sport of rafting and river conservation around the globe. It also organizes the rafting world championships each year. The Guide Training & Education (GTE) program operates from within the IRF. The aim of the GTE… Read More

A variety of oar boats on our Class III Rowing School

On the last day of the June 1, 2016 Rowing School, Tamie Stonke, one of our students, came up to me and exclaimed, “I have been rowing for 14 years, how come no one has ever taught me this stuff?” This is the third year I have been fortunate to be an instructor in the Northwest Rafting Company Class III Rowing School. Three years ago my wife Susan and I were talking to Zach Collier the owner of Northwest Rafting Company in his Hood River office.… Read More