Packraft Foundations: Learn Basic Packraft Paddling Skills & Swiftwater Rescue Techniques
"Wow. I had really high hopes for the course, and it exceeded my expectations. It was exactly what I was looking for. Steve, Thad and Lizzy were tremendous instructors and humans."
Lars Smith
Level 1 Whitewater Packraft Paddling, River Reading & Swiftwater Rescue Skills Course
Course Introduction
This 3-day, Level 1 paddling course will get you comfortable in a packraft and with the basic swiftwater safety skills you need to do safe, fun, easy adventures on your own.
This course is “challenge by choice.” So you can push yourself on harder rapids in the kayak play park if you want to, or not. The kayak play park in Durango is unique in the variety of options it offers from Class I to Class III.
This course follows the American Canoe Association packraft instruction curriculum.
Price $1025.00
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.
What's Included
Open Alpacka Classic packraft, PFD, helmet, paddle.
What's Not Included
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.
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.
What You Will Learn
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
✔Discuss how to avoid and prevent cold water shock, hypothermia, and hyperthermia by choosing proper clothing and recognizing and treating early symptoms.
