Dogs & Packrafts! A Level 1 & 2 Hybrid Course
"I was thoroughly impressed with the amount I learned in a relatively short amount of time and how much fun I had. The courses are well run and take you to some of the most stunning areas of the Southwest. If you're willing, they will definitely help you push your boundaries to try new and scary-to-you things in a safe and controlled environment. I cannot recommend Four Corners Guides highly enough."
Sam Lewandowski
Dogs & Packrafts! Learn Whitewater Paddling & Self & partner Rescue Skills so you can paddle with your pooch
Course Overview
“It’s an awesome feeling to include your best furry friend on your packrafting trips, but it also takes some important pre-trip consideration for safety, training, and comfort for you and your pet.” So says long-time packrafter and dog lover, Molly Harrison in our blog, “Packrafting With Dogs: A How-To Guide.”
At Four Corners Guides we love packrafting with our best dog buddies, and so we’re offering a course where you can actually take your dog buddy with you. Day 1, you’ll need a helpful dog sitter, and your dog won’t spend a lot of time in the boat. But your furries will be able to play on the beach while you learn important paddling and self-rescue skills! Then we’ll do a short afternoon point-to-point paddle with the pups. Day 2, we’ll get out for an excursion with the dogs, practicing all kinds of skills as we make our way down the Colorado River. Bring your poop bags please. We don’t want to leave smelly bombs by the side of the river! We’ll have a poop bucket to put them in.
See the curriculum section below to ge a better of idea about the kinds of skills you will be learning. We won’t be covering everything one might cover in a Level 1 course, but we will get through many of the skills.
Price: $675.00
A 50% deposit is required to secure your space. Full payment is due 90 days prior to your course. If you are registering inside of the 90 day window, the remaining balance is due immediately.
Please review our cancellation policy, which you will find on our Terms, Conditions & Cancellation Policy Page.
What's Included
This course includes an open Alpacka Classic packraft, PFD, paddle, helmet.
What's Not Included
You may or may not need a drysuit for this course. If you run warm, you can probably get away with a wetsuit. You may rent a drysuit 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.
Instructors
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.
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Lizzy Scully
Lizzy is a Level 3 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructor. She additionally has advanced Swiftwater Safety training and he is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Lizzy started packrafting in 2017, after started as the marketing maven for Alpacka Raft. She spent most of her adult life rock climbing around the world, doing first ascents and major expeditions to Pakistan, India and elsewhere. But now, at 50, she prefers more horizontal terrain on rivers and mountain bike trails. Lizzy occasionally teaches women’s courses and assists when needed on other courses, but primarily runs all logistics for Four Corners Guide
What You will learn
We base this instructional courses on confidence and skill progression. The course starts with the basics. And then we push you a little harder as the days progress, tailoring the experience to your own personal abilities.
Beginners will learn basics paddling skills and river reading techniques such as:
✓Equipment (use and care)
✓Swimming and general water confidence
✓Self-rescue & buddy assistance
✓Dealing with currents
✓Aggressive & defensive swimming position
✓Decision making
✓Hazards & river dynamics
✓Basic paddle strokes
✓Using eddies
✓River commands
✓Spacing on the river
