One of the best things about our Class III Rowing School is that you can row your own raft the entire trip. You can bring your personal raft or you can rent a 13- or 14-foot raft or cataraft from us.
If you decide to bring your own raft there are a two things you legally need to have:
- Whistle (can be on or in your PFD)
- Oregon Waterway Access Permit
Dropping Off Your Raft at the Almeda Boat Ramp
You’ll need to drop your fully rigged boat at the put-in and still make it to our pre-trip meeting at Galice Resort by 9 AM. The ramp often gets crowded so we recommend arriving around 7:30 AM. If you need to inflate your boat and rig the frame then plan to be there by 7 AM or earlier.
Our guides and instructors usually arrive at the boat ramp around 7 AM. If they haven’t shown up yet, go ahead and launch your boat and float it upstream to the beach so you don’t block the ramp for other river users. Our guides will keep an eye on your raft while you attend the 9 AM meeting at Galice.
Please use the boat ramp for loading and unloading only and move quickly to stay respectful of everyone else. You’ll also need cash for a parking pass to use the park and boat ramp.
If you want a more relaxed morning, you can reserve a campsite at Almeda Park and stay there the night before.
Equipment You’ll Need
Your boat must have a few specific items to responsibly run the Rogue River:
- Bow line (20–40 feet of rope to tie your boat to shore)
- Spare oar (we carry spares, but they may not match yours)
- Oar tethers (thin rope or webbing to attach your oars to the frame)
- Cam straps to secure your dry bags in the raft
- Repair kit specific to your raft and frame
A few other helpful (but not mandatory) items include:
- Throw bag
- First aid kit
- Raft rescue gear
Keep It Simple
If you have a big, complex frame with lots of boxes, anchors, and other extra gear please consider leaving some of it at home. Our guides carry the kitchen, food, drinks, and group camping gear. All you need to tie into your raft is your personal gear. Keeping your boat light and simple makes it much easier to learn and saves you time and effort at the put-in and take-out.
If your frame is heavy and bulky, we recommend buying or borrowing a smaller day frame for the class and for future day trips.
To Shuttle or Not to Shuttle
If you want to keep your raft fully rigged, you’ll need to arrange a shuttle for your truck and trailer from Galice to the take-out at Foster Bar. Whitewater Cowboys handles these shuttles. You may also want you car shuttles if it’s faster to drive home via the Oregon Coast.
If you can remove your frame and roll your raft we can load it in one of our trucks for the drive back to Galice. If you choose this option please minimize extra boxes, coolers, and gear.
At Foster Bar
Our take-out is at Foster Bar. If you rented a raft from us we’ll ask for a little help carrying and loading it. If you brought your own raft and shuttled your vehicle our guides will help you load at take-out.
The drive back to Galice depends on road conditions. If Bear Camp Road is open the trip takes about 2½ hours. If it’s closed we take the long way (the Coast Route) which can take around 5 hours.
We usually say goodbye to part of the group at Foster Bar and the rest at Galice.
Ready to Row?
We know there are a lot of logistics involved with a Class III Rowing School. We’ve put together a detailed course PDF that covers what to pack and answers common questions. You’re also always welcome to call the office as we love talking rafting and helping you get ready for the trip!
