A 50% deposit is required to register. You must pay the remaining balance within 90 days of the course. Or you must pay in full if registering within 90 days of the course.

Please review our cancellation policy, which you will find on our Terms, Conditions & Cancellation Policy Page.

Open Alpacka Classic packraft, PFD, helmet, paddle.

You need a drysuit for this course. You may rent one 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.

Ben Phillips

With decades of Class V whitewater packrafting and kayaking experience, Ben can take you to the next level of boating. He is a Level 4 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructor. He’s also a certified Wilderness First Responder and certified in Swiftwater Safety Institute rescue training.

On these 2- to 3-day Beginner courses, you’ll learn about your equipment, basic river reading and paddling skills, and basic swiftwater rescue skills. This course is meant to introduce you to these skills, not to get you to master them. You’ll do more drills and hone these skills in our Level 2-4 courses. 

This course is meant to introduce you to these skills, not to get you to master them. You’ll do more drills and hone these skills in our Level 2-4 courses. 

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

• ✔Dealing with currents

• ✔Aggressive & defensive swimming position

• ✔River hydrology/dynamics, features & hazards

• ✔Basic paddle strokes (forward, back, draw, sculling)

• ✔Using eddies

• ✔River communication: Paddle, hand, and whistle signals

• ✔Spacing on the river

• ✔The “River Safety Talk”

• ✔Field repair-tips & tricks

Swiftwater Safety: Handling common emergency situations on the river

• ✔Identify and demonstrate the use of appropriate rescue and safety gear for packrafting

• ✔Responsibilities of the group, rescuer, swimmers

• ✔Boat-based rescues

• ✔Group communication

• ✔Swimming in rivers & water confidence (aggressive & defensive swimming position)

• ✔Self-rescue & buddy assistance (wet re-entry)

• ✔River dynamics: currents, obstacles and hazards

• ✔Rescue priorities: people, craft, paddle, gear