Class III Rowing School Reviews
Amazing Journey
★★★★★
“ The Class III Rowing School at Northwest is an amazing journey. Start with the amazing food and seamless river adventure of a typical Northwest trip and layer on top-notch instruction from instructors with collective decades of boating and teaching experience. Our class had students from their late teens to their sixties with a wide range of capability, from repeat students honing their skills to one student who wanted an immersive introduction to rafting. All completed the class successfully and felt comfortable and confident in navigating class III whitewater. The instructors were incredibly skilled at meeting students where they were and helping each achieve their individual goals. Safety was always the top priority and yet everyone had opportunities for challenge and learning from mistakes in a supportive environment. Every lesson on and off the water had clear objectives, and there was always time for questions and 1:1 assistance if needed. The Northwest Class III Rowing School is highly recommended!”
- Colleen Shannon
Game-Changer
★★★★★
“ I've rowed before, but this was a game-changer for me. 5 days of rowing with these high-quality instructors made all the difference.”
- Anne March
Would Recommend
★★★★★
“ I would recommend the 5-day Class III rowing school without hesitation! The instruction was respectful, skilled, and fun. The entire trip was an all-inclusive fun time on the river while developing and practicing whitewater skills.”
- Nina Rea
The Best
★★★★★
“ Northwest is the best you can get when it comes to raft training. I have a fair amount of experience rowing but still learned new things from our guides. If you want to learn to row or want to learn more about being on the river, sign up for a Northwest Rafting course.”
- Mark Rivers
Incredible
★★★★★
“ This course was incredible. Top notch instruction, lots of river time that builds in difficulty. My skills and confidence are exponentially improved.”
- Jennifer Hundt
Best Time
★★★★★
“ I had the absolute BEST time on this river trip!!! Top notch instructors and crew. The food was delicious, they were organized and knowledgeable and an absolute delight to hang with. All around one of the best trips of my life and I would recommend it to anyone!!!!!”
- Melinda Lind
Phenomenal
★★★★★
“ The rowing school is so phenomenal we took it a second time! It was the perfect introduction to our friends who have always wanted to do a rafting trip and we all had an incredible time. Great instruction, fantastic guides, and delicious food all served up on a beautiful and iconic river.”
- Brett DeHart
Exceeded My Expectations
★★★★★
“ The Class 3 rowing school on the Rogue exceeded my expectations. Amazing instructors and solid, well-paced and tailored instruction DEFINITELY helped me build confidence and anchor skills in class 3 water, which was my goal for this trip. Plus, all staff were just a blast to share time with. Highly recommend; worth every penny.”
- Andrew Mayer
Absolutely Life Changing Experience
★★★★★
“ This was an absolutely life changing experience and was so much more than I was expecting. As a pretty novice rower, I came in with minimal experience rowing and by the end of the week, I had gained confidence in my rowing skills and my ability to read water. I truly feel like I could handle rowing Class III rapids on my own after this class. NWRC has put together a top notch program with some of the best guides in the country.”
- Jennifer Henderson
My Second Time
★★★★★
“ This was my second time taking this course because I am actually ready to do more rowing when out on trips with my husband and friends. It all makes more sense after being on many river trips since the first course. Now I feel confident that I can handle 3’s safely and with less fear. I love the way they instruct in small portions and then send us out to do it! The beauty of this river and the wild life adds to the enjoyment. The instructors and other participants complete the gold seal on this amazing opportunity:-) Plus the food was healthy and delicious.”
- Linda Densmore
Best Outdoor Experience
★★★★★
“ I have had the good fortune to travel, fish, boat, and explore many places around the world, and this trip was one of the best outdoor experiences of my life!”
- Douglas Carl
Truly Awesome
★★★★★
“ Worth every penny from support crew to instructors, Truly AWESOME experience!!”
- Barb Sheiffer
Extremely Helpful
★★★★★
“ I found the course content and presentations extremely helpful. The instructors treated all participants with the utmost respect, evaluating our individual abilities and instructional needs in a positive, encouraging, manner. They provided active coaching as we practiced, and useful followup advice and tips.”
- Lincoln Fancher
Amazing Experience
★★★★★
“ Whether you are an experienced rafter or a first timer, this class was an amazing experience for anyone who wants to become a better boater.”
- Ben Swanson
Great Learning Environment
★★★★★
“ From the very beginning of this trip, the guides provided a professional, positive, and non-judgmental environment. The trainings taught on the water and on-shore were excellent and launched my skill level. The food was excellent, plentiful, and I felt well taken care of. I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to improve their whitewater skills in a fun environment and beautiful location.”
- Andrea Bixby-Brosi
One of the best experiences of my life
★★★★★
“ One of the best experiences of my life. The guides work so incredibly hard and are so knowledgeable. I learned everything from how to row class III rapids to how to set up a proper campsite. I could not have been more impressed. 10/10 experience that I would recommend to all my friends and family. I will be back again soon!”
- Robert Simpson
Genuine Instructors
★★★★★
“ The instructor's altruistic nature and genuine interest in each student's learning made an impact on me beyond the skills I developed in class. I couldn't have hoped for a better duo of lead instructors than Peter and Steve.”
- Justin Richard
Developed Confidence
★★★★★
“ Five days of supported learning gave me an unforgettable experience and allowed me to develop confidence on the river.”
- Lesley Jacobs
Experienced Instructors
★★★★★
“ The instructors had over 100 years of combined river experience and they passed that on to us with grace, humor, and patience. Any question was answered completely. Every story had all of us on the edge of our seats. I can't believe how lucky we were. All of the guides, the curriculum, the practice, classes, drills, and the FOOD were amazing. See you in a season or two for Class IV school.”
- Mike Sims
Class Exceeded my High Expectations
★★★★★
“ I went in with high expectations given the feedback I'd heard. (And I'm not easily impressed by the way). This trip exceeded expectations: the planning, the crew, the instruction, the river itself, even the gear provided. All top notch with out being overly fancy or rigid. Masters at work! I'm booking again, ASAP.”
- Sam Christian
Outstanding Class
★★★★★
“ This week's Class III school on the Rouge was outstanding. Your staff did an incredible job of hosting us for 5 days. The instruction was more than I expected and the trip went off without a problem. It really was the memory of a lifetime!!”
- Greg Simpson
Fabulous Team
★★★★★
“ All three instructors were great transmitting their considerable skills and knowledge with enthusiasm and positive feedback. Even my unintentional swim at John’s Rapid was turned into a professional impromptu real-life rescue learning experience. Peter Fox later took the time to soothe my ego and rebuild my confidence before entering Mule Creek and Blossom Bar. And on the last day when an equipment change put us behind the main group, his one-on-one instruction and positive feedback added immensely to my confidence and skill level after the flip at John’s. Emily’s added responsibility as head guide did not hindered her teaching or her dance moves the last night. She was clear, concise and enthusiastic when relaying her instructions. Daniel also was an upbeat positive teacher who graciously passed on tons of experience. He runs a Phat Cat like mine and was extremely helpful in fine tuning the rigging and oars for me. Tim, Peter the Younger, and E-Mac were behind-the-scenes gurus who made the support and meals seamless. All-in-all, a fabulous team.”
- Patrick Stewart
Grateful for the Patience and Knowledge
★★★★★
“ Couldn’t be more grateful for the patience and knowledge shared in a very short amount of time. The immediate trust in the students and the acknowledgment that we were all going to be vulnerable and learning together made the trip for me.”
- Brandon Clark
Solid Foundation of Knowledge
★★★★★
“ This class exceeded my wildest expectations. I feel I left with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to build upon as I continue my journey of growth down the river.”
- Ben Salthouse
Communication and Support
★★★★★
“ The crew at NWRC made the learning experience easy and fun. Being new to rowing, the trip seemed daunting and scary, but with their communication and support I felt cared for and safe to try something new.”
- Christopher Glantz
Such a Gift
★★★★★
“ The energy and stoke of the guides was amazing. The 5 days I spent learning on the Rogue was such a gift. I made new friends, learned some amazing new skills, and got to finally see a part of the rogue I've wanted to see for a long time. I'll be saving my pennies to book another trip soon.”
- Mike Henderson
Phenomenal Class, Phenomenal River
★★★★★
“ My husband and I joined this class after 3 years of trying to teach ourselves to raft with advice from friends. This class was a revelation. Excellent instruction with immediate application in the gorgeous wilds of the Wild & Scenic Rogue River. We rented boats, and I had a lovely 13 ft Sotar (Freightrain) for 5 days. My husband had a small cataraft. On the river, we broke into learning pods of 3-4 students that allowed personal instruction with rotating instructors. Rafting, I felt challenged, but also safe in the hands of Dustin, Courtney, Emily, Asa & Amanda. I was worried about camping for 4 nights (I am a cautious car camper that typically drags a cot on camping trips) and was amazed at the comfort. I fell asleep each night on an air mattress gazing at the stars. The FOOD. The food was delicious. No need to drag snacks, all food is gourmet. I would 100% recommend this to any interested person.”
- Meg Schneck
Really Impressive Group of People
★★★★★
“ I am in awe of the work and attitude that the instructors brought to everything that they did - lectures, logistics, food and instruction on the water. They are a really impressive group of people that created a collegial, supportive environment. They inspired confidence and reflected calm in challenging situations. Review Category: ClassIII”
- Richard Raeke
Talented and Fun Teachers
★★★★★
“ Anyone looking for a great week to challenge yourself in a hands on, safe learning environment with talented and fun teachers in the beautiful land of the Pacific Northwest need look no further!”
- Jason Blackwell
Far Exceeded My Expectations
★★★★★
“ The river and the instruction far exceeded my expectations. I'm so grateful to the crew for the lessons, encouragement, humor, food, and camaraderie. Such an impactful experience that I'm truly grateful for. I can't imagine a better trip. Thanks so much to all of you!”
- Chris Avila
Positive Learning Environment
★★★★★
“ Honestly this course was exceptional. I say that as someone who has coached rowing (crew not white water) at the middle school, high school and collegiate level. They were able to teach both experienced boaters and total newbies simultaneously and make it a positive learning environment across the board. I loved the enthusiasm, compassion, humility, professionalism and care with which the guides approached every aspect of this experience. The Rogue is beautiful and the food was great. As well, the women’s rowing school attracted an awesome group of chicks. I met some of my favorite people I’ve met in years and I expect to be running rivers with members of this class for years to come! Thanks so much, can’t recommend this highly enough!”
- Emily Gade
Thank you NWRC!
★★★★★
“ Awesome crew their love of rivers and teaching show at every opportunity. The lessons were relevant, professional, and well suited to each students level and confidence. Excellent balance of fun and training. I came away from this trip with a bunch of new friends and great memories. The guides were able to take great care of us while at the same time making us feel like we were part of the team. The whole experience was more like a good trip with old friends than a guided tour of the river.”
- Masaki Hisamoto
It was awesome!
★★★★★
“ The crew made it a really amazing experience, I learned so much from them and we had a ton of fun doing it. Emily did a great job as trip leader and really kept things moving smoothly. I have to say that as an educator, I really appreciated the organized way in which the teaching was delivered. There was a clear progression, each piece was well organized and presented. It all built on prior skills and really flowed well. It was really clear that you guys have a strong background in teaching and have done an amazing job of applying that to whitewater skills.”
- Fred Goglia
The guides were fantastic
★★★★★
“ Thank you SO much for such a rad and positive experience! The amount of knowledge gained both on river and off river will be carried with me on all of my future river trips. The all women’s clinic was the perfect venue to be both vulnerable and empowered at the same time, making me an even more confident boater going forward. The guides were fantastic, and a true joy to be on the Rogue with. I made some amazing friends on this trip, and I can’t wait to bump into them again down the road in the beautiful river community. Highly recommend taking a course!!!”
- Sarah Jordan
I left a better, competent boater
★★★★★
“ I came to learn how to safely navigate white water. I left a better, competent boater and in all honesty a better version of myself. I can’t thank you all enough for what you did and for the knowledge that will exist for generations within my family. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Thank you”
- John Robinson
Highly Reccomended
★★★★★
“ NWRC's Rowing School is a magical combination of outdoor immersion, technical rowing instruction and practice, exquisite camp cooking, personal growth and overall camaraderie. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to improve their rowing skills, get more experience in whitewater, learn more about boating and multi-day trips, and who also enjoys personal improvement in the outdoors while at the same time spending time with rad people.”
- Jesse Robbins
So Impressed
★★★★★
“ Honestly, I'm struggling to find words to express how utterly impressed with your fantastic team and how thankful I am for this experience. I had the most challenging, empowering, and enjoyable week thanks to the knowledge, professionalism, and fun-nature of the NWRC crew. Their ability to balance teaching with direct feedback and complimentary skill building (rapid swimming, boat flipping, rigging, etc.) was top notch. From the beginning of the trip to the end, my rowing has drastically improved, and I feel confident being able to pick lines and then execute them, catch eddys, ferry, and just generally read the water better. They solidified my love for this sport even more, and I can't thank them enough for what I've gained coming out of this rowing class. You guys are amazing 🙂”
- Ariel Ursitti
5 Stars!
★★★★★
“ As a person that is not easily impressed, I was and still am blown away by the awesomeness of the trip, the instructors and Northwest Rafting Company as a whole. The knowledge passed on in the 5 days on the river was incredible. From the time we left Almeda to the takeout at Foster Bar there was never a lack of instruction or helpful tips (or great food). Between 5 days of on river instruction and the multiple on shore "classes" I feel I have the knowledge and skill to run class III rapids safely and with confidence. This trip was a true life changer and I am now hooked on the river!”
- Zach Romero
Fun and professional crew
★★★★★
“ I arrived at the Rogue Class III Rowing School an eager boater who has been running Class III with the help of guidebooks and other boaters who let me follow their lines. I thought my push stroke was weak because of my size and strength. I was wrong. The instructors changed my oar setup and gave me real feedback on my push stroke making me feel instantly stronger. The skilled, highly professional instructors coached me in strategies and techniques that allowed me to leave the Rogue trip (still eager) with more confidence to read the river, find my own lines, and boat with more intention. They did let me spend a couple of days on one of the catarafts, which could be a problem as now I want to buy a new boat . . . . I look forward to the Class IV Rowing School once I’ve had a bit more time on the sticks. The instructors were fun to be around at camp and the food was amazing!”
- Kim Criss
Great time!
★★★★★
“ Terrific five days on the river building skills. Good food, great guides, spectacular river, and some really fun rapids. The guides' love of rafting shows through in their instruction. They seemed to truly enjoy sharing their knowledge, which of course made it all the more fun!”
- Sadie
Excellent trip
★★★★★
“ We had excellent instruction from Peter, Daniel, Nick and Ellie. The support staff (Nick, Ellie, and Emily) were so eager to please and make sure that we had whatever we needed. I appreciated their great attitudes and hard work. This was a great trip in that we were provided with all that we needed to succeed. All that the student needs to add is their own desire to experiment and learn from what the river gives back. I felt like I learned a new language and was having a conversation with the water by the time the class was over. There were a lot of butterflies on this trip- at the beginning, they were in my belly, but by the end, I was enjoying watching them flutter past my oars as I was flowing with the current.”
- Michael Yackey
I got much more than I was hoping
★★★★★
“ I really can’t say enough positive things about each and every instructor. They were all so knowledgeable and each one brought their own special talents to the table. Peter’s depth of knowledge is incredible, and his ability to share it with students is incredible. Daniel was obviously made to be an instructor and trip leader. His knowledge, upbeat attitude, patience, and kindness were next level. Nick and Ellie rounded off this amazing group of instructors like few could. Both were great teachers, hard workers, and so easy to talk to and be around. I learned something different from each and every instructor there. The food and care in camp, as well as all the rafts and equipment prrovieded were first class. Besides the amazing instructors, I wanted to mention what a first class job Emily did as well. She was always upbeat and happy, and worked very hard to make sure all of the students had everything we needed to make our trip even more comfortable and enjoyable. She was a pleasure to be around. I got much more than I was hoping for out of this class, and I will happily refer it to anyone looking to expand their boating skills. Thank you so much for the experience!”
- Eric Johnson
Great instructors
★★★★★
“ After the first day the teacher-student relationships are transformed into friends on the river teaching other friends some new skills. I encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zone and register for this rowing school.”
- Bill from Tennessee
Lifetime Trip!
★★★★★
“ One of the best experiences! Came with some drift boat rowing experience for fly fishing and left with so much more. Gained tons of experience and knowledge for rowing whitewater and can't wait for my next time on the river. The guides were amazing and allowed us plenty of freedom to learn from experience and provided challenges along the way. From preparing the raft, reading and rowing the rapids, setting up camp, and general river ettiequte the class is top of the line for all skill levels! Don't forget the fresh, healthy food and good laughs! Where else can you expand your abilities, build friendships, and remove yourself from this crazy world for a bit!”
- Ryan Haedrich
Spectacular!
★★★★★
“ Couldn’t have asked for more - the knowledge sponging was plentiful; Brodie, Micheal, Natalie, and Dave were awesome sauce; and with 5 n00bs and 4 guides, had a guide-per-boat which worked out to nearly private lessons. Exactly what we were looking for - and we feel significantly more confident to be able to tackle the GC! Besides the rowing bits, yeah important, also got a whole heap of knowledge about how-to manage a group on the river and in camp; which might turn out to be the greater challenge in AZ.”
- Jonathan Kling
A Memorable Group Experience
★★★★★
“ As a “senior” participant with some river experience, I jbooked this trip expecting to jump in with some wild “20 somethings” to be shown how it’s done and get a few boat handling pointers.... what I encountered was an array of seasoned and deeply experienced professionals that nurtured me through a progressively well planned set of skill sets that culminate in instilling the confidence it takes to successfully and safely navigate a river. The bonus to this learning experience was that it was administered by a cohesive group of guides, highly educated in fields both relative to and removed from their chosen guiding profession, and capped with both social and gourmet cooking skills that rounded out a memorable group experience; Thanks NWRC!!”
- Robert Lambert
What more could you ask for?
★★★★★
“ Fun, Friendly, knowledgeable, professional, what more could you ask for. Everyone seemed like genuinely nice people. Dustin was great at keeping everything running smooth. I appreciate how he was flexible in adjusting plans, for instance, when people made it clear they wanted to ride through the opening move of blossom bar, he had the guides take us through rather than walking around. Daniel had a lot of great little tips for working more efficiently on the river and it really helped me to learn how to conserve energy on the water. Peter was great at watching each person row and really giving personalized advice on how we could have approached each rapid. Thanks everyone. I would recommend the rowing school to any beginning rower looking to gain skills and confidence. I appreciate how they broke the group into smaller pods and I feel like everyone was able to gain a lot from the class, no matter their previous experience. On top of that you will have a lot of fun and eat well.”
- Adam W.
Should have taken this class years ago!
★★★★★
“ What a fabulous experience! I am spreading the word to all my rafting friends that they should take this class! I learned so much in a short period of time. The instructors were top-notch and the curriculum was state of the art! Making connections with other participants was an unexpected added bonus and I look forward to rowing with our river family members again in the near future!”
- Ray Hasart
Rowing with Confidence!
★★★★★
“ In my life, there are few experiences I can say without a doubt helped shape my river confidence like the NWRC Rowing School. I am so thankful for the great development of my river reading and running skills after the class with the amazing instructors: Peter, Daniel, and Dustin. I left home anxious but committed to learning and left the Rogue River with a love I plan to keep for life.... rowing rivers! Not only did the school go above and beyond my goals, I also had a ton of fun while eating like a Five Star cruise ship passenger. Actually, it was better because of the sounds of the birds, river, wind, rain, and all of the love put into our meals. Chuck, Ellie, and Thomas rocked the trip too! Thank you, NWRC Team!”
- Danielle Widemann
Exactly what I needed and more.
★★★★★
“ I took the May/June 5-day Class 3 rowing school with Clara above. I recently bought a used 14' raft and took the class to learn how to row my family safely down rivers. I was nervous on the trip to Galice, but once the instruction started, I knew I was in good hands. The first couple days I learned the basics which give me the confidence to navigate the river safely. As the trip continued and the river became more challenging, the instructors taught me the subtleties of rowing. As the instructors humbly pointed out, the river is always teaching them something, regardless how much experience they had. The Rogue is amazing and I will never forget the wonderful group we had that week. The instructors and crew were excellent and every interaction with NWRC was top notch. The pace, schedule, food, organization, and campsites were all great. I hope to row with NWRC again and would highly recommend them for training or for trips. Two weeks after the class, I successfully rowed my wife, daughter (7) and son (4) down the John Day River for 3 nights and we are currently planning our next one (two, three and four!) with friends. My wife and daughter wanted stick time too, so I expect more rafts (and rowing schools) in our future! Two stern warnings though: 1) once you row your own raft, it is hard to imagine being a passenger again. 2) This is an extremely addictive activity for both body and soul.”
- Adam Henderson
What an awesome trip.
★★★★★
“ I am totally dyslexic and learning to row was a challenge to me. The guides were EXTREMELY patient with me. Having a different guide every day was also useful because they each gave a different perspective. Under their tutelage, I finally caught on! Oh, and the food was absolutely fantastic. What an awesome trip. Couldn't recommend it more.”
- Nicole Richard
Absolutely Incredible Experience!!!
★★★★★
“ Thank you for an amazing experience. I get to run a university outdoor program full-time and I can say in my professional opinion, this experience was as great as it gets. The guides, food, equipment, and instruction were absolutely the best. Although I have been "in the business" for over 20 years, I finished the trip with a load of notes and new gear list. I'm so looking forward to the next adventure with NWRC!”
- Rod Tucknott
Best Class I have Ever Taken!
★★★★★
“ I took the 5-day class III rowing school on the Rogue River in Oregon. They taught me how to row! I started off as a real novice, having only one personal training before the class. By the time the school was over I felt very comfortable and confident on the river! The progression and quality of teaching were incomparable to any other. Between the three rowing instructors they had 60 + year of experience and it showed! It was a very empowering and safe experience!!!! I felt I was challenged and also kept safe the entire time! Amazing experience and growth opportunity! If you are looking to learn or even improve your rafting this is the class for you! Great to learn safety and group boating techniques as well! The food, guides, and equipment were top notch! Could not have been happier!!!!”
- clara saguto