For our upcoming season of whitewater safety and rescue courses, NWRC is able to offer scholarships because of a generous donation from a fellow boater. These scholarships hopefully will make valuable education more accessible for folks who want this training but the cost is a barrier.
Why is whitewater safety and rescue training important?
Whitewater is an inherently risky activity. Lots can go wrong. A river is a dynamic environment, and navigating through swift currents and rapids can lead to unfortunate scenarios. Thankfully, there are effective ways to mitigate risks we encounter in whitewater, proper gear, experience, and solid fellow boaters, among others. One of the most critical foundations of making whitewater safer for its many users is quality education.
Quality whitewater education, from skill based education to safety and rescue education, gives boaters a foundation of knowledge that they can then practice. At NWRC, we strive to offer quality education because we understand that if boaters have good training and education, they will move forward using what we consider to be the current best practices.
We believe that:
Quality Training and Education → Quality Practice → Quality Experience → Quality Judgement
However, the cost of training is a lot, especially considering that whitewater sports already require a lot of funds to pay for gear, travel to and from rivers, and permits. We are excited to share that an anonymous donor recently gave us funds so that we can offer scholarships to make our Safety and Rescue Courses and Guide Training more accessible to more private boaters and guides.
Part of why NWRC received this money for scholarships was because our Safety and Rescue school curriculum emphasizes teaching fundamental rescue skills, such as swimming rapids, throwing throw bags, and accessing stuck boats or swimmers, and then practicing these skills in scenarios. This curriculum aims to help students develop their real time decision making skills, allowing students to slow down and be methodical when the stakes aren’t high and to simulate the need to quickly and efficiently get to someone whose life is in immediate danger.
How can I apply for one of these scholarships?
Our scholarships can be used for one of three courses we will offer in the Spring of 2027:
- Class III Safety and Rescue – $200 scholarship available
- Rescue 3 WRT Pro – $300 scholarship available
- IRF Guide and Trip Leader Training – $400 scholarship available
If you or anyone you know would be able to take one of these courses because of this scholarship assistance, please fill out the application.
