Women learn differently from men. “Whether you call it ‘girl power’ or ‘feminine energy,'” says Jule Harle of Alaska Packrafting School, ladies have a different learning style. And women’s packrafting courses can offer a distinct environment where they can talk through concepts and issues more thoroughly than might happen in a mixed class or class with just men.

“There’s a part of the brain that’s twice as big in a female that processes new experiences or manages fear through talking,” Jule says.

Who knew? Well, we women did, of course 

So, we’ve expanded our women’s bikerafting and packrafting courses. Want to read/listen more about how women learn differently from men? Check out our, “A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting & Bikerafting” podcast with Jule Harle, owner of Alaska Packraft school and sometime guest instructor for FCG. You’ll find it on our website or on Spotify. 

Email us if you want to schedule a bikerafting course for you and your lady friends. Also ask about our full-ride scholarships for BIPOC women, queer and transgender folks through the Armida Huerta Adventure Fund.

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 packrafts. helmets, paddles and PFDs.

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.

Annie Bussell

After moving to the southwest in 2013, Annie found a deep passion for backpacking into remote wildernesses and floating wild rivers. As a raft guide since 2014 and a Level 4 ACA-certified packraft instructor since 2025, she has long held a love for navigating and immersing herself into river corridors. After starting work at Alpacka Raft in 2021, she discovered packrafts. These tiny inflatable boats have allowed her to merge her love of backpacking and paddling and find new ways to access the remote wildernesses she loves. When not paddling or hiking, Annie makes art, including stunning murals you can find on the outside of the Alpacka Raft factory and at the La Plata County Airport.

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.