Desert Voyagers

Topics Covered

• White water swimming
• Throwbag handling and use
• Mechanical advantage
• Hydrology
• Basic boating skills
• River navigation
• Currents

River Boating Safety and Rescue is a 2.5 day class that covers basic skills necessary to safely navigate moving water and self rescue. Participants learn and get hands on practice with techniques and equipment that the sport demands. The skills a student learns will prepare them for class 1 and 2 moving water and basic safety requirements needed out on the water. We also suggest this class for wilderness first responders, SAR, and those looking to improve their river safety skills and experience.

Friday Evening to Sunday Afternoon Friday 6:00 PM at the Office
The weekend begins with a classroom session where terminology, river dynamics, river etiquette and ethics, knots and safety rules will be discussed.

Saturday 8:00 AM in the field
Time to get wet! Continuing from the Friday night session, you will get hands on with basic skills and begin some in-river work on rescue, safety swimming and boat handling. There will be a break for lunch and the day will end around 5pm.

Sunday 8:00 AM in the field
Back at it! Today will be one filled with more boat skills, throwbags, river navigation, and rescue scenarios. There will be a break for lunch and the day will end around 5pm. Typical Schedule Of a Class

Topics Covered

• Paddling technique
• Boat handling
• Ferry angle and currents
• Safety boating
• Swift water swimming
• Throw bag techniques
• Hydrology
• Ethical & environmental standards

This class is geared toward entry level kayakers that want to paddle safely in moving water. Whether you are interested in casual paddles down scenic stretchs of water or adrenaline filled races through towering whitewater, this is the place to start. With sound fundamentals in paddle technique, understanding currents, and safety, this class will prepare you for whatever you want to do next.

Friday Evening to Saturday Afternoon Friday 6:00 PM at the Office
Friday night classroom sessions will be all about terminology, paddle history, currents and ways to handle them. Bring your questions, be prepared to learn and most of all, have fun!

Saturday 8:00 AM in the field
Time to descend! Continuing from the Friday night session, you will be out in the river practicing all the things you talked about Friday night. There will be a break for lunch and the day will end around 4pm.
Typical Schedule Of a Class

Topics Covered

• "Reading the river" Class III+
• Roll technique and theory
• Advanced paddle techniques
• Safe scouting/portage
• Advanced rescue
• Roll vs wet exit
• Additional tips and tricks

Adv. Kayaking/Roll Skills class is still in the planning stages. It will cover several basic rolls and self rescue techniques that kayakers need before moving on to class III or higher white water. Please join our mailing list or one of our social networks to know the moment a final curriculm is announced!

Expected to be a weekend long class Times and locations to be announced.
This will be a weekend long class starting out in a local pool, then moving out to the river. We believe in hands on experiences above all else. Check out one of our other excellent classes to get a feel for how we teach! Typical Schedule Of a Class

Skills Practiced

• River navigation
• Scouting
• Surfing (kayaks)
• Captaining (rafts)
• Leading and Sweep
• Rescue - self and other
• Hauling
• Additional tips and tricks

River Skills Practice Trips are one day trips to the river to practice all you learned in the classes. On the trip, you will see beauty of the river while running a trip as if you were on your own but with the safety of an instructor right there with you. The instructors will point out additional skill refinements, but you will be hands on all the while. Nothing we have found builds skill like actually doing it, so come practice with us!

Typically Saturdays all day. Saturday 8:00 AM in the field
Time practice! You will start off the morning in the field with your instructors and a couple of additional students and begin your river run. Taking turns, everyone will lead, sweep, rescue and be rescued. The river offers a couple of waves to play on too and build your surfing skills. By the end of the day, you will have the skills and confidence to be ready for more! Typical Schedule Of a Class