Learn packrafting and bikepacking skills and then how to put the two together for a successful river bikerafting adventure!

You may either take the 2-day or 5-day version of this course. For the 2-day version, you’ll spend the first day learning packrafting skills on the Daily section of the Colorado River, near Moab. Day 2 you’ll learn bikerafting skills, most importantly how to transition from bikes to boats and boats to bikes. And you’ll do a mini bikeraft adventure.

On your challenging 5-day adventure, you’ll spend the first two days training (same as above) and 3 days exploring some of Utah’s stunning canyon lands in the Glen Canyon National Recreation area. Be prepared for dark skies, big scenery, a bit of hike-a-biking and some steep hills!

Our goal is to teach you the skills you need to embark on bigger, better cycling and packrafting adventures. So you’ll learn how to lash your bike to your boat, pack your boat on your bike and more. And you’ll paddle/pedal 60 miles. These multi-day adventures are challenging, so you’ll need good fitness and some bike riding skills. Boating skills are not required.

A 50% deposit is required when you sign up. The remaining balance will need to be received through 90 days prior to your course. The remaining balance is due immediately if you are registering inside of the 90 day window.

Please review our cancellation policy, which you will find on our Terms, Conditions & Cancellation Policy Page.

An open Alpacka Classic packraft, PFD, paddle and helmet. Bike bags if you need them. We have six sets.

All food for the duration of the backcountry portion of the trip, plus sanitation kit, camping, etc. 

Food on the days of the trip where you are not in the backcountry, lodging, a working, tuned-up bicycle, transportation.

You need a drysuit for this course. You may rent one at 4Corners Riversports in Durango or online at Backcountrypackrafts.com. We will provide you with the 10% discount code once you register for the course.

We base our learn basic river bikerafting and packrafting skills instructional courses on confidence and skill progression. We start slow and push you a little harder as we go, tailoring the experience to your own personal abilities.

For Beginner to Intermediate courses, you’ll learn a wide variety of skills, from the basics to more advanced river reading techniques. This is a list of some of the things you will learn:

• ✔️How to pack your gear in your boat or on your bike for multi-day adventures

• ✔️How to ride with a loaded bike

• ✔️Basic paddle strokes with a bike on your boat

• ✔️How to lash your bike to your boat and vice versa

• ✔️Transitioning from bikes to boats and vice versa

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.

TBD

You should be fit and know how to ride a bicycle to do this course. You also need general backcountry skills–can you set up a tent and cook your own food. Some boating skills would be beneficial, but if you are comfortable on water, swimming and a go-getter, you’ll be fine as you’ll be spending the first day learning basic packrafting skills. 

This is a Level 2 course because of the cycling terrain you’ll be covering and the mileage you’ll be doing. You’ll be gaining a lot of elevation, pedaling in the mountains, and then packrafting some fun rapids.