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.

An open Alpacka Classic packraft, PFD, paddle, helmet.

You likely will not need a drysuit for this course. You may or may not need a wetsuit. It depends on whether or not you run cold. But if you want to rent any gear, visit our partner 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.

Thad Ferrell

Thad is a Level 4 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructor. He additionally has advanced Swiftwater Safety training and he is a certified Wilderness First Responder. An early adopter of packrafting and life-long cyclist and bikepacker, Thad has accomplished some ground-breaking, multi-week climb-bike-packraft adventures in the desert Southwest. He is also an expert fly fishing guide.

Please note you will not learn all of these skills on this two-day course. The skills you will learn depends on the motivation and existing skill level of participants.

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

• ✔Self-rescue & buddy assistance

• ✔Dealing with currents

• ✔Aggressive & defensive swimming position

• ✔River hydrology/dynamics, features & hazards

• ✔Beginner to Intermediate Paddle strokes: Forward, Draw, Sculling draw/brace, Sweep (including stern draw), Reverse sweep, Rudder, Bracing

• ✔Maneuvers: Spin: boat pivots in place; Draw Stroke to move the boat sideways without headway; Forward: boat goes forward in a reasonably straight line; Turns: boat turns in a broad arc while underway 

• ✔Ferries: Facing downstream (to stop in current and move laterally to avoid hazards) and Facing upstream to move laterally with control

• ✔Using eddies: Eddy turns, Deep into eddy vs. near eddy line, Peel outs, Deep into current vs. pivot near eddy line, C-turns (eddy turn and peel out from the same side of an eddy), S-turns (eddy turn on one side of an eddy, peeling out from the other side)

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

• ✔Evaluate current weather conditions, forecasts, and other environmental hazards

• ✔Field repair-tips & tricks

Basic Swiftwater Safety

• ✔Responsibilities of the group, rescuer, swimmers

• ✔Boat-based rescues

• ✔Group communication

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

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

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