Hire one of our private instructors for guidance and instruction in the world of whitewater rafting. We can customize a course to teach you to row or paddle whitewater rafts and kayaks. We can also provide customized one-on-one swift water rescue instruction.
“I highly recommend this training for anyone who desires to learn running whitewater with an emphasis on whitewater safety.” – Ed Marlatt
This is a great way to avoid developing bad habits and to practice under the supervision of a safe and competent instructor. You will also have the opportunity to try out different boat and oar configurations to help you make a good decision when you purchase a raft or cataraft.
We have course itineraries and experienced instructors available to instruct the following topics:
Day 1 Morning: Start on flat water to warm up and discuss equipment. We’ll work on rowing technique and practice flipping boats in calm place.
Day 1 Afternoon: Get on the river. We typically focus on oar management and communication during this first afternoon. We’ll also take some video and discuss it at the end of the day.
Day 2: This is a full day of practice on the river. We’ll typically work on eddy hopping, boat spacing, and communication in addition to oar management. We also stop along the way to do some practical swift water rescue training.
“I have been rowing a drift boat for several years but wanted some formal class III and IV whitewater raft training. The focus on whitewater safety alone is worth taking the class. My confidence in reading the water increased greatly.” – Ron South
Our instructors are both river guides and private boaters who have experience in many situations and many types of boats. You are welcome to bring your own raft/cataraft or you can rent them from us at a discounted rate.
We commonly do instruction on the Hood River, Lower White Salmon River, Klickitat River, and/or the Washougal River.
In the summer months we do instruction on various sections of the Rogue River near Grants Pass, Oregon.
We typically begin each day at 9am and go until 4-5pm. Don’t forget to pack a lunch, snacks, and water.
Send us an email at info@nwrafting.com to get the conversation started. Please include the following information:
Have more questions? Find everything you need to know on our Private Instruction FAQ page
We are licensed by the Oregon State Marine Board and operate under special use permit with the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area and Mt. Hood National Forest. Additionally, we are an equal opportunity provider and employer.