Introduction to Whitewater Rafting

Overview

This two‐day course is designed as to introduce paddlers to the basics of whitewater rafting. The course focuses on how to rig and row oar rigs, as well as introducing safety techniques. This course does not focus on traditional paddle rafting.

Experience required: No prior experience is necessary. Prior experience in whitewater is helpful but not mandatory. Must be able to swim 50 m, spend 4-6 hours on the water, lift approximately 20 kg (45 lbs) and row a 5 m (16 ') raft.
Questions: please feel free to send us an email at courses@siwhitewater.club.
Ratios: Maximum one instructor per four student rowers per raft. Students will take turns to row.

Location

Various sections of the upper Cowichan River, near the town of Lake Cowichan. If water levels are too high we may change the venue to another river. See the agenda for specifics.

Pricing

$135: Instruction fee, including the usage of rafts and associated equipment such as oars, oar frames, and pumps.
$40: Drysuit rental (fitted with latex gaskets at the neck and wrists) and bootie rental. Drysuits are required from October through April; wetsuits are acceptable May through September. We have this policy because we want you to be warm and comfortable in the water as we find this improves retention greatly. Swimming and in-water rescue techniques are part of the program!
$30: Annual membership to the South Island Whitewater Club if you are not already a member. $25 for students.

Therefore the maximum total cost is $205. All costs payable via Interac e‐transfer to payments@siwhitewater.club (some banks have issues sending to this domain, if so, you can send to southislandwhitewater@gmail.com).

Personal Gear

Participants must arrive with the following:

Warm layering for under river‐wear (tops, bottoms, and socks), made from wool, fleece, or synthetic (no cotton). 1‐3 layers may be appropriate depending on weather conditions and how hot you run.
Warm clothing, including waterproofs and outdoor footwear, for when not on the water.
Towel.
Lunch, snacks, and drinks. Have a good breakfast before you arrive. Please bring a packed lunch, including waterproof snacks, such as bars to bring on the river. There is a Country Grocer, Co‐op gas, A&W, and Tim Hortons in Lake Cowichan if you need last minute nourishment options. Instructors will have dry bags for food too.
Sun screen, if we are lucky enough to have sunshine.

Timing

Arrive each day at the designated meet location at the river by 09:30. We aim to finish by 16:00.

Agenda

Day 1

All agenda details are subject to change based on conditions. Final details will be confirmed to you via email a few days before the course date. Meet at the Skutz Falls Parking Lot at 9:30.

Gather for approximately 15 minutes on land to complete introductions, sign waivers, assess prior experience, and discuss the agenda.
Gear up.
Set vehicle shuttles.
Conduct an overview on rigging a raft for 90 min.
Inflating a raft
Tie down: frame, coolers and dryboxes, drop-bag, spare oars, tables, and other miscellaneous gear.
Setup the oars.
Conduct safety briefing and provide an overview of the date.
On river for approximately four hours, consisting of 1 hour of flatwater rowing followed by three hours of rafting, skills to include:
- Pushing
- Pulling

Day 2

Meet at river location as confirmed by the instructor in an email on the Saturday (likely still Skutz Falls).
On river for approximately six hours:
- Short land‐based re‐cap of skills from prior day.
- Set shuttle for the trip.
- Warm-up on the section we ran on day #1 but at warp speed.
- Complete longer day on river, proceeding further down to more challenging rapids where we build on skills from the prior day.
Rafting safety basics overview (120 min), including the subjects:
Discussion of rafting gear, what to buy in what priority, etc.
On-river equipment repair skills.
Flip-drills.
Mechanical advantage with ropes and pulleys.
De-rigging the raft and course debriefing (60 min)