Rafting classes/resources

[lcx321]

I am planning to do a moose/caribou float hunt in Alaska in the future. I bought an alpaca raft, took it to the near by lake, and found out that I have a lot to learn. Are there any classes/resources that are available to teach newbies some basic stuffs, like how to paddle, how to read water etc. I did some online learning, but I would much prefer a in-person type of class. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Cyril]

There are in various locations. Not sure where you are located. Here in south east PA there are a couple of companies that offer this on the Lehigh River. When I was at New River Gorge National Park, there were companies there that offered it as well. Find a nearby river and do a Google search with the river name. Good luck.

 

[Marshfly]

Lots of whitewater outfitters offer classes. You'll just have to call around and/or search the websites of ones near you.

 

[mtnbiker208]

Home - Swiftwater Rescue Training Courses

Serving the U.S. Military Special Forces, public service, commercial, and recreational sectors, SSI has the Swiftwater Rescue Training to fit your needs

www.swiftwatersafetyinstitute.com

There is also a guy in alaska, that has a packrafting how to book. I just can't remeber his name.
if you are going to hit something on the river, lean into it, not away from it.

 

[Htm84]

Home - Swiftwater Rescue Training Courses

Serving the U.S. Military Special Forces, public service, commercial, and recreational sectors, SSI has the Swiftwater Rescue Training to fit your needs

www.swiftwatersafetyinstitute.com

There is also a guy in alaska, that has a packrafting how to book. I just can't remeber his name.
if you are going to hit something on the river, lean into it, not away from it.

Luc Mehl. He has a lot of rafting specific content on his site also.

The Packraft Handbook, signed copy

This book is to the burgeoning and exciting sport of packrafting what “Freedom of the Hills” has long been for mountaineering: a foundational tome, an encyclopedic body of knowledge for…

thingstolucat.com

Lots of people offering classes in AK but I don’t know if any in the lower 48

 

[207-12A]

Couple things to unpack here. What model raft did you get? Yes the forager is rated for one paddler and a full moose, but for even an experienced paddler that’s a load, and I wouldn’t touch anything over the light class II bar. A caribou trip would be much more appropriate for a first time float hunt, especially solo.

I took Luc Mehl’s SSI packraft course in Alaska and it’s A+. Mostly scared the hell out of me with how ignorant and reckless I had been about rafting for a few years without a proper mentor, safety gear, or research. Became a much better paddler and managed risk more thoughtfully after that class. SSI runs classes across the western lower 48. NOLS would be another resource. Get Mehl’s handbook as well.

 

[Wrench]

I used to run with these guys.....there was a lot of knowledge incthe group.

Home

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Home - Swiftwater Rescue Training Courses

Serving the U.S. Military Special Forces, public service, commercial, and recreational sectors, SSI has the Swiftwater Rescue Training to fit your needs

www.swiftwatersafetyinstitute.com

There is also a guy in alaska, that has a packrafting how to book. I just can't remeber his name.
if you are going to hit something on the river, lean into it, not away from it.

Luc mehl