- Learn How To Raft
Raft Guide School
This class is only intended for people who are interested in employment, not for the general public.
Cost
Ages
Location
Certification
- THE PROGRAM
About Our Guide School
As one of the first companies rafting in Durango, Colorado, we know a thing or two about rafting. Our customers have ranked us #1 on Google. We hope you consider Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours, Flexible Flyers Raft & Jeep, 4 Corners Whitewater, and Kokopelli Rafting Adventures for your future raft guide school. As of 2021, we are 4 local companies in one.
If you are looking for an adventurous, exciting, and fast-paced skill then look no further. Becoming a state-certified raft guide is a highly rewarding skill where you get to be outside, stay in shape, work with awesome people, and gain important lifelong river knowledge and leadership skills.
During our guide school, you will receive a minimum of 50 hours of training. We do not waste your time and labor helping set up the company but instead, ensure your training is dedicated to the fundamentals of learning to raft and ending with a certificate confirming your certification as a raft guide.
Rivers We Operate On:
- Upper & Lower Animas
- San Miguel
- Moab Daily
- Rio Chama
- Dolores
- West Water (Colorado River, Moab UT)
- Ruby Horsethief
- Piedra
- TRAINING
What You'll Learn
How to rig and de-rig boats
Paddle guide and/or oar guide techniques
How to read water
White water swimming
Rope rescue
How to load your raft with guests
Safety orientation and protocols
Flip training
Swim training
- THE PROGRAM
Itinerary
(Subject to change)
Day 1
- Arrive in the morning, meet everyone, introductions and expectations for the week.
- Gear check out: lifejackets, throw bags, river shoes, wetsuits, dry bags, and helmets.
- Go over equipment from rafts to trailers. Rigging and de-rigging.
- Afternoon: Get on the water! Learn how to load your raft with guests.
Days 2–6
- Safety orientation/speech and DRT protocols.
- Practice as both an oar guide and a paddle guide.
- One day dedicated to flip training.
- Another day dedicated to swim training.
- After day 6, you will have accumulated the state-required 50 hours of training.
Days 8–10
- Complete 5 ride-alongs with seasoned guides and instructors.
- A certified check-out run with guests and an instructor onboard (required for employment).
- There are no make-up days for guide school. Make sure you are on time and ready each day.
- GEAR INCLUDED
We've Got You Covered
All you need to do is show up to the class. The following gear is available at no extra charge:
Wetsuit
PFD (Type 5 life jacket)
River shoes
Helmet
Dry bag
Ready to Start Your Raft Guide Career?
Although there is no guarantee of employment after guide school, we are looking for raft guides. Contact us today to sign up!