So you booked your first Class III Rowing School? Awesome! Whether you have a few questions or you are wondering how the daily rhythm works, you are in the right place. Here is what to expect before, during, and after your week on the Rogue River.
Before Your Rowing School
After signing up, you will receive an email with a link to your online profile. This is where you can complete your registration and waiver. Please finish those as soon as possible (or at least a week before your launch date). Then, check out the trip details PDF for the full packing list, travel instructions, and other essential info. Also keep an eye out in your email inbox for more emails from us containing some pre-trip learning material to jump start your week of learning.
If questions pop up while you are packing, take a look at our FAQ page or give our office a call. We are always happy to help!
Keep an eye on your inbox for pre-trip learning material designed to jump start your week on the water. A little pre-trip fitness goes a long way, too! Adding extra movement or exercise into your daily routine will make your time on the river more enjoyable and help you get the most out of your week.
Day 1 – Introductions and Settling In
Day 1 is meetup day! If you are bringing your own boat, plan to have it fully rigged and ready at the launch site and return to Galice Resort before the 9 AM meeting. Our guide crew will be at the launch site rigging boats as well and can keep an eye on yours while you head up for the meeting.
If you are renting a boat, you can go straight to the 9 AM meeting at Galice.
Meeting at Galice
At Galice, you will meet your lead instructor and fellow students. You will receive a dry bag (and sleeping bags or pads if you requested them) and then it is time to pack. Once your bag is set to go, the lead instructor will show you where to move your vehicle for (free) long-term parking. When everyone is ready, we will take a short 15-minute van ride down to the river to meet the rest of the instructor team.
At the Boat Ramp
At the boat ramp there will be a safety talk and your PPE (PFD and helmet) will be fitted and checked. From there we’ll make sure you are comfortable in your boat and help make adjustments to your rowing frame if needed. Cataraft rowers will have their dry bags stowed in a gear or instructor boat while those rowing rafts will carry their own dry bags.
On the River
Before launching you will be assigned to a learning pod – a small group of about four students with one instructor. Pods generally rotate each day so you can learn from different instructors and boat with new people throughout the week.
We will stop for a riverside lunch and a short classroom lesson, then continue downstream to camp. Once we arrive at camp, expect another group discussion or lesson around the time appetizers are served, followed by dinner and dessert.
Days 2 to 4 – Practice, Practice, Practice
Now you’re in the swing of things and life is good! Each morning the guides set out hot coffee, tea, and cocoa along with a spread of berries, yogurt, and granola. This is followed a bit later by a rotating menu of hearty, hot breakfasts like eggs, breakfast meats, and potatoes.
After breakfast, it is time to pack up camp. Once everything is loaded into the boats, we will regroup into pods for the day and head downstream. Each day follows a fun rhythm of rowing, learning, lunching, and camp life.
Expect daily lessons that build on your skills, including reading water, boat angles, and setting up for Class III rapids. You will also have plenty of time to ask questions, try new techniques, and get real-time feedback from your instructors.
Day 5 – Last Day and Return to Galice
Sadly, day 5 eventually arrives. You have gained a ton of rowing experience and confidence by now, but no one is ever quite ready for the trip to end.
Pack your gear as usual, but put the dry clothes you want for the drive home on top of your bag so they are easy to grab at the take-out. We often run an optional boat-flipping practice at lunch on the last day, so dress to swim if you want to participate.
We typically reach Foster Bar (the take-out) a little after lunch. Once there, you will grab your camp bag and change into dry clothes while the guides load the boats onto the trailers. Once the group is ready, you will say goodbye to the guide staff (smelly hugs accepted!).
If you you had your car shuttled to Foster Bar it will be waiting for you at take-out. Otherwise you’ll jump in one of our vans for an approximately 2 hour drive back to Galice where you will be typically be reunited with your car around 4 PM.
After Your Trip
A day or two after your trip look for an email with photos and an opportunity to complete a brief survey about your experience.
These photos are only visible to the students and guides who participated in the class. You will also have the option to share contact information if you would like to stay in touch with your fellow rowers and upload any photos you took during the week!
