PACKRAFT FOUNDATIONS: A BASIC PADDLING & Swiftwater SKILLS COURSE for WOMEN
Learn to Packraft with Women in Moab this fall!
Why Learn to Packraft With Women?
We’re stoked to be offering women’s Learn to Packraft Courses in Moab, Utah, spring and fall! Check out our full lineup of women’s courses
So why learn with women?
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 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, here you go.
Want to read more about how women learn differently from men? Check out our, “A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting & Bikerafting” podcast with Jule. You’ll find it on our website or on Spotify.
Course Overview
From 9:30a.m.-4:30p.m. over two days, you’ll learn basic paddle and river reading techniques on the Animas River, in Durango. We’ll teach you what you need to know to enhance your existing backcountry skill set.
This Packraft Instruction course is for adventurers wanting to learn basic packrafting skills, from paddling and reading rivers. Additionally, we will cover boat and gear use and maintenance, self and partner rescues, among other things. Scroll down to book.
Price: $675.00
A 50% deposit is due upon receipt to secure your space. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to your course. The remaining balance is due immediately if you are registering inside of the 30 day window.
Please review our cancellation policy, which you will find on our Terms, Conditions & Cancellation Policy Page.
What's Included
This course includes an open packraft, PFD, paddle, helmet.
What's Not Included
Food and lodging, though you are welcome to add 1-3 nights at Scullbinder Ranch, which includes breakfasts and dinners. Transportation is also not included. You need a car or to carpool. We do not have a shuttle. Finally, we do not include: whitewater boats, drysuits, river knives, whistles or throw bags.
You will need a drysuit for this trip. Rent drysuits online with a 15% discount at BackcountryPackraft.com (we will give you the discount code once you pay your deposit).
Instructors
Lizzy Scully
Lizzy is a Level 2 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructor. She additionally has advanced Swiftwater Safety training and he is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Lizzy started packrafting in 2017, after started as the marketing maven for Alpacka Raft. She spent most of her adult life rock climbing around the world, doing first ascents and major expeditions to Pakistan, India and elsewhere. But now, in her 50s, she prefers more horizontal terrain on rivers and mountain bike trails. Lizzy occasionally teaches women’s courses and assists when needed on other courses, but primarily runs all logistics for Four Corners Guides.
Krista Beyer
Coming soon!
What You will learn
We base this instructional courses on confidence and skill progression. The course starts with the basics. And then we push you a little harder as the days progress, tailoring the experience to your own personal abilities.
Beginners will learn basics paddling skills and river reading techniques such as:
- ✓Equipment (use and care)
- ✓Swimming and general water confidence
- ✓Self-rescue & buddy assistance
- ✓Dealing with currents
- ✓Aggressive & defensive swimming position
- ✓Decision making
- ✓Hazards & river dynamics
- ✓Basic paddle strokes
- ✓Using eddies
- ✓River commands
- ✓Spacing on the river
