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Team Boating and Whitewater Safety Course

Rowing School

Whitewater Rowing with Rafts or Catarafts

Class IV Rowing School

  • Length: 4 days
  • Dates: March 14-17, March 20-23, and March 26-29 (2022)
  • Location: Hood River, Oregon
  • Trip Cost: $1395
  • Includes: Food, five nights lodging, and top-notch instruction
  • Additional Cost: $200 for single room, $150 for boat rental

A Great Class
★★★★★
“ Zach and his team are elevating the boating community to a new level with this course. The quality of instruction, team boating experience and emphasis on safety make this class the ultimate opportunity to grow as a boater in a beautiful setting. The crew at Northwest Rafting Company are setting an incredible example for the industry to work toward.”
- Chris Dunbar

Our Class IV Rowing School is designed as a follow-up course for our Class III Whitewater Rowing School. We’ll run a variety of rivers in the Columbia Gorge near Hood River, Oregon. This is an opportunity to boat some wonderful rivers, improve your boating skills, and meet some new friends. Each evening we’ll come back to our base camp to review the day, take a shower, and get a good night’s sleep.

Rowing Training on Oregon's Hood River
Rowing Training on Oregon’s Hood River

This course will include swiftwater rescue training, scouting rapids, and working with challenging put-ins and take-outs. You will gain a lot of experience working with ropes and techniques for efficiently hauling boats.

Raft flipping practice in our Class IV Rowing School
Raft flipping practice in our Class IV Rowing School

You will need solid Class III experience to attend this course. We’ll be training on continuous whitewater rivers with cold water. This course is the perfect opportunity to practice whitewater skills under the watchful eye of our instructors.

“Zach and his staff place a lot of emphasis on whitewater safety and team boating concepts, and are very good at teaching the finer points. The video review at the end of every day is invaluable.”Eric Brady

Typical Itinerary

Every Class IV Rowing School is uniquely designed based on river conditions and the group’s ability level. The following is a sample itinerary.

Day 1 Introductions, Equipment Review, and Half Day on the River
Day 2 Knots, Mechanical Advantage, Scouting, and Half Day on the River
Day 3 Full Day on the River, flip practice, and throw bag practice
Day 4 Big Picture Scene Safety, Half Day on the River, and Final Topics

You are welcome to bring your own raft or cataraft, or we can rent you one of ours.

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Trip Highlights

  • Rowing Class III and Class IV rapids
  • Drone video review
  • Emphasis on team boating and safety
  • Introduction to swiftwater rescue
  • Hands on safety drills

Quick Facts

  • Just 60 miles east of Portland, Hood River is close to a number of great whitewater rivers
  • Each night we stay at a house near Hood River
  • Classroom sessions accompanied by on river practice

Trip Reviews

ClassIV Overall rating: ★★★★★ 5 based on 11 reviews.
5 1

A Great Class
★★★★★
“ Zach and his team are elevating the boating community to a new level with this course. The quality of instruction, team boating experience and emphasis on safety make this class the ultimate opportunity to grow as a boater in a beautiful setting. The crew at Northwest Rafting Company are setting an incredible example for the industry to work toward.”
- Chris Dunbar

I love the Class IV Rowing School!
★★★★★
“ This is my 3rd time and each time has been unique and different which has made it a great way to start my boating season. One example of this was the use of a dummy "victim" that goes swimming that the group needed to save. Was a super great way to get experience with things going "wrong" on the river and learning how to be calm and assess the situation & determine the safest way to help. And the folks that attended this class were AMAZING! Such a fun group to boat with on the river.”
- Jeff Michael

Thanks for a great week
★★★★★
“ You are about safety and that is so important as one moves into riskier waters. I really thought that Emily, Elly, Brody and Michael were all outstanding. Patient, knew their stuff, positive, fun and serious. I appreciated that after I went “swimming” that it was dealt with professionally as a teaching moment right from the rescue to the after action discussion. I also appreciated that Michael did not make a big deal of it, let me get my bearings and simply waited for me to indicate I was ready to get back on the oars and we proceeded on. I had minimal time with Elly on the river but certainly appreciated her kitchen organization, her talk and affability and willingness to answer any questions. Emily clearly knew what she was doing in front of our pod and I appreciated her teaching and orientation to keeping us safe. Thanks to Brody for his very positive time with Russ. As a parent, it was fun to watch Russ learn and do well on the river. I hope that all of your parents have had a chance to see what you do, appreciate your physical, teaching and customer service skills, and be proud of their children as well.”
- Jim Bayuk

Excellent Instructors
★★★★★
“ The excellent instruction made time on the river the best part of the class. Many thanks to everyone.”
- Mike Harris

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