Packraft Foundations: Learn to Packraft With Steve (aka Doom)
Learn the Whitewater Packraft Paddling & Swiftwater Rescue Skills you need to do adventures on your own!
please note we have two spots available on this course, but we do not have the equipment that normally comes with the course. So if you want to take this course, you just need to rent/own your own equipment.
Course Introduction
Get the basic whitewater packrafting and rescue skills you need to do your own trips with this entry-level course. We designed this course following the American Canoe Association-accredited packraft instruction curriculum.
We teach you padding and river-reading skills, as well as the most basic skills taught in Rescue 3 International Whitewater Rescue Technician – Recreational course and American Canoe Association Swiftwater Rescue courses, all tailored specifically for packrafting. For more thorough rescue training, please check out our Swiftwater Rescue Training & Certification courses.
Our instructors are all trained and certified Level 3 to 4 packraft instructors.
Price $675.00
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 Not Included
You need a drysuit for this course. You may rent them 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.
The Curriculum
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)
✔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.
