Introduction to Whitewater Packrafting Course

INTRO TO WHITEWATER PACKRAFTING COURSE

The Introduction to Whitewater Packrafting course has been developed to promote safety within the packrafting community, provide fundamental skills, and basic safety and rescue knowledge, and on-water experience for those new to paddling whitewater.

It is also suitable as an introduction for existing packrafters wanting to increase their proficiency and gain a confidence boost to take their paddling to the next level.

All courses are delivered by friendly, supportive, experienced and qualified registered outdoor education teachers, and paddling/rafting instructors. All instructors have Swiftwater Rescue and Wilderness First Aid training.

This 2-day course is for those wishing to gain the skills, knowledge, ability and confidence to paddle safely in lower grade whitewater environments, learn the basics of self and team rescue, and swift water safety fundamentals, understanding the river, as well as developing paddling techniques that you can use to run rivers more effectively and safely.

We will work both on-shore and on-river with sessions covering:

Packraft set up for whitewater use
Personal protective equipment requirements and correct use
Safety skills, knowledge and swiftwater rescue concepts
Defensive swimming as well as aggressive swimming
Throwbag use, performing rescues and being rescued
Safe entry and exit
Self and team member (assisted) rescues
Paddle strokes and essential paddling techniques
River basics, hydrology, hazards, features, moving safely downriver
Broad overview of gear, and care
Trip planning and packing
Field repair basics
How to keep your group safe, working as a team, and how to communicate on the river.
As well as plenty of time for tips, hints and Q+A along the way.

We will spend a lot of time on the river working on techniques, coaching and moving downriver as a group gaining confidence and working on paddling competence, reading the river, and having a blast.

Course: Introduction to Whitewater Packrafting

To do Intro to Whitewater, you really need to do the intro to pack rafting the day before making up the 2 day course, if you have not learnt those intro to pack rafting skills first you will hold back the learning of the other people on the Intro to Whitewater. If you cannot attend 2 days in a row we suggest splitting it up and doing 1 day at a time.

Duration: 1 Day ($250 p.p), 2 Day option (450 p.p)

Proposed Dates: 2 Day ACT MURRUMBIDGEE Saturday 2nd / Sunday 3rd March 2024 - Book Now.

Intro to Packrafting & Moving water is Day 1

2 Day ACT MURRUMBIDGEE Saturday 6th / Sunday 7th April 2024 - Book Now.

VICTORIA!!! Woot Woot Sat 13th / Sun 14th April - Book NOW

Book Here : ACT 2nd/3rd March or ACT 6th/7th April or VIC 13th / 14th April

2 DAY NSW/SYDNEY TBD

Intro to Packrafting & Moving water is Day 1

Frequency depends on water levels which vary region to region.

Proposed Locations: Murrumbidgee ACT, Colo River NSW, Nepean River NSW. Big River, VIC, or Yarra River, VIC

Availability: Yes.

What is Included: 1 day of instruction in grade 2 whitewater environments. A lot of fun. Some cold water (ok, a lot...).

Discounted hire can be arranged with prior notice if needed, including: packraft, paddle, PFD, helmet and paddling jacket at $100 p/p).

What is not included: Wetsuit or Drysuit (as we will be spending time in the river these are highly recommended). Accommodation, transport, meals, shower facilities. Participants can choose to camp on-site, or nearby (toilets only) or stay in Eildon or Thornton in accommodation or caravan park with full facilities (approximately 45-minute drive).

What to Bring: Secure footwear for on water, we use and recommend Astral Footwear. A towel, a change of dry clothes daily, dry shoes, snacks and lunches, a water bottle, sunscreen and a dry bag You may wish to wear a wetsuit, otherwise a polar fleece jumper (no cotton) and swimmers/bathers.

Cost: $250/$450 p/p - This course costs more than the intro course as re have a lower ratio of Instructors to Students.

Requirements: Participants must be able to swim. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. There must be a minimum of 2 people for the course to run, If you have a group already we may be able to add dates for you. If for some reason the course is unable to run due to lack of participants or poor conditions or lack or water, a full refund or option to rebook will be provided.

Details of the cancellation policy, terms and conditions and participant waiver can be found here.

If you have any question about the course, don't hesitate to contact us.

BOOKINGS

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