Packraft Foundations: Learn Basic Paddling Skills on the Colorado River
Advanced-Beginner Whitewater Packraft Paddling & River Reading Skills course
Course Introduction
Are you visiting Southern Utah to explore Arches or Canyonlands? Why not spend a fun-filled few days learning to packraft?
Get some whitewater packrafting skills with this entry-level paddling skills course. You’ll also learn some basic rescue skills, such as self- and partner-rescue, hydraulics, etc. This course is discounted 50% for people who live in Grand and White Counties.
We teach these courses on the Colorado River (Utah) and the Animas (Colorado), and you’ll be guided by certified ACA Packraft instructors. We’ll be keeping the courses small with a 4 participants to 1 guide ratio in order to more effectively tailor the course to participants’ needs.
Email us for details or to get your discount code if you live in Grand or White Counties. Sign up below.
Price $675
The full balance is due if you are registering within 90 days of this course.
Please review our cancellation policy, which you will find on our Terms, Conditions & Cancellation Policy Page.
What's Included
Open Alpacka Classic, PFD, helmet and paddle.
What's Not Included
You need a whitewater packraft and drysuit for this course. You may rent these items locally at 4Corners Riversports or online at Backcountrypackrafts.com. We will provide you with the 10% discount code once you register for the course.
We do not provide food, lodging or transportation. You must have your own vehicle.
Instructor
Steve Fassbinder
Steve, aka “Doom,” is one of the country’s first Level 4 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructors. And he is a certified International Rescue 3 Whitewater Rescue Technician Professional (WRT-PRO) and IRF Whitewater Packraft Guide. Steve is also certified in Advanced Swiftwater Safety and Wilderness First Responder. An early adopter of packrafting, he has guided or instructed bike-packrafting to kids and adults for over a decade. And he has done remote packrafting expeditions around the world for over a dozen years.
Curriculum
Please note you will not learn all of these skills on this two-day course. The skills you will learn depends on the motivation and existing skill level of participants.
Paddling & River Running Skills
✔Equipment (use and care + boat rigging, fit, and release of thigh straps)
✔Posture, safety, comfort, rocking and balance
✔Swimming and general water confidence
✔Self-rescue & buddy assistance
✔Dealing with currents
✔Aggressive & defensive swimming position
✔River hydrology/dynamics, features & hazards
✔Beginner to Intermediate Paddle strokes: Forward, Draw, Sculling draw/brace, Sweep (including stern draw), Reverse sweep, Rudder, Bracing
✔Maneuvers: Spin: boat pivots in place; Draw Stroke to move the boat sideways without headway; Forward: boat goes forward in a reasonably straight line; Turns: boat turns in a broad arc while underway
✔Ferries: Facing downstream (to stop in current and move laterally to avoid hazards) and Facing upstream to move laterally with control
✔Using eddies: Eddy turns, Deep into eddy vs. near eddy line, Peel outs, Deep into current vs. pivot near eddy line, C-turns (eddy turn and peel out from the same side of an eddy), S-turns (eddy turn on one side of an eddy, peeling out from the other side)
✔River communication: Paddle, hand, and whistle signals
✔Evaluate current weather conditions, forecasts, and other environmental hazards
✔Field repair-tips & tricks
Basic Swiftwater Safety
✔Responsibilities of the group, rescuer, swimmers
✔Boat-based rescues
✔Group communication
✔Swimming in rivers & water confidence (aggressive & defensive swimming position)
✔Self-rescue & buddy assistance (we re-entry)
✔Rescue priorities: people, craft, paddle, gear
