Professional Raft Guide School

Raft Guide Training Since 1995, Swiftwater Rescue and Guide Training

RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL: This five-day raft guide training is designed for people wanting to lead river trips or become professional raft guides. We focus on safety, reading water, and guiding paddle rafts through Class II & III whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, equipment, rigging, boat handling, communications, paddle commands, and rescue techniques. Our Raft Guide School combines river instruction with a certified Whitewater Rescue Technician class the first three days.  Day one begins with  an introduction to equipment, risk management, reading water and boat rigging. After that we suit up and run the Alberton Gorge  for an introduction to paddle rafting. Learn to swim rapids, rescue swimmers and recover from a flipped raft. Days two and three are typically on the Blackfoot River. You’ll learn quick rescues, throw bags, self-rescue, and rescue swimming. On days four and five you’ll guide whitewater raft trips on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. The course is hosted at the Alberton Gorge Ranch and includes a Whitewater Rescue Technician certification and certificate of completion. Tuition:$685.

Professional Guide School Schedules

Lead guide Quinn Smith

Private Rowing Instruction

Learn rafting basics with your own boat and instructor and bring along up to 3 Guests. We’ll pack as much information and hands on rowing practice as we can into a day on the river. Get personalized instruction based on your skill level and the types of rivers you’ll be floating.We’ll focus on reading water and rowing through Class II and III whitewater. Learn about the right gear, how to rig boats, safety basics, avoiding hazards, and guiding your own boat.

“We had recently bought a raft and wanted to take a course with professionals to make sure we weren’t making mistakes as we progress. The course we took fit the bill perfectly. Reading water, basic safety and opportunities to practice rowing with professionals on the water. The guides, Caleb and Amy were true professionals, excellent teachers and made for comfortable and fun experience. The connection with the Whitewater Rescue Institute and level of experience of the guides really set Montana River Guides apart from other companies. Cannot recommend their services enough.”  Trevor N. -Bozeman, MT

Whitewater Rafting Workshops

One & Two Day Clinics : Introduction to Rowing

Learn Safety, Rigging, Risk Management, Reading Water, and Boat Maneuvering