2010 RIVER CLASSES: Swiftwater Rescue & Rafting

Montana River Guides and The Whitewater Rescue Institute are offering a variety of rafting and river rescue training Spring 2010 throughout Western Montana. The classes are being taught by Mike Johnston and Cody Harris and certified through the Whitewater Rescue Institute. Here's a tentative calendar of 2010 River Rescue and Guide Classes. We're still firming up some of the dates as we hear from agencies and organizations that are working out their training schedules.

2010 River Rescue & Rafting Classes

March 14-20 Professional River Guide School Alberton Gorge

Mar 29-Apr 4 Professional River Guide School Missoula, MT
April 10 River Rescue Class Missoula, MT

April 11 Intro to Whitewater Rafting Class Missoula, MT

April 16-18 Swiftwater Rescue-Technician Missoula, MT
May 1-2 Swiftwater Rescue-Technician Kalispell,MT

May TBA Swiftwater Rescue-Technician Thompson Falls

May 7-9 Swiftwater Rescue Technician Absarokee, MT

May 15-16 Swiftwater Rescue Technician Dillon, MT

May 17-19 Swiftwater Rescue-Technician Missoula, MT
May 17-21 Raft Guide School Alberton Gorge
May 20-21 Whitewater Rafting Workshop Missoula, MT

May 22-23 Swiftwater Rescue Technician Bozeman, MT

May 29 Whitewater Rescue for Paddlers Billings, MT
May 29-31 Swiftwater Rescue-Technician Big Sky, MT

May TBA Swiftwater Rescue Gardiner, MT
June 4-6 Swiftwater Rescue-Technician West Glacier

June 11-13 Swiftwater Rescue-Technician Missoula, MT
June 11-15 Raft Guide School Alberton Gorge

June 14-15 Whitewater Rafting Workshop Blackfoot River
June Rafting & Kayaking Adventure Camp Alberton Gorge
June Kayaking Adventure Camp Alberton Gorge
June Intermediate Kayaking Camp Alberton Gorge

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Swift Water Rescue Technician: A two and a half to three day course designed for raft guides and private boaters, the SRT is a 20 plus hour class with a half day of classroom instruction followed by two plus days developing and practicing skills on the river. While the initial emphasis is safety & self rescue, the class offers an in-depth look at reading water, recognizing and avoiding hazards, quick rescue techniques, boat-based rescues, dealing with boat wraps and entrapments, technical rescue systems, and a variety of practical scenarios. We analyze footage of actual river rescues in the classroom and progress from a solid foundation of rescue skills and practice into rescue scenarios on the river. The class is challenging, fun and tailored to the students needs. A manual, test, patch, I.D. card, and certification are included. Cost: $335

RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL: We offer two to five day classes designed for people wanting to lead river trips. We focus on safety, reading water, and guiding paddle rafts through Class II, III and IV whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, equipment, rigging, boat handling, communications, paddle commands, and rescue techniques. Our five day Raft Guide School combines river instruction with a certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician class the first two days. On days three, four and five you'll guide whitewater raft trips on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. The course includes a Whitewater Rescue Technician certification and certificate of completion. Tuition: $455

PROFESSIONAL RIVER GUIDE SCHOOL: A seven day comprehensive course designed for students interested in becoming professional river guides. The class integrates certified Wilderness Emergency Medicine and River Rescue training with hands-on guide training while running the river each day. Guide topics covered include equipment, boatrigging, trip preparation, risk management, reading water, and rafting class II, III and IV whitewater. Students practice and develop medical skills in river rescue scenarios during guide training on the river. The course is hosted at the Alberton Gorge Ranch near Missoula, Montana. Upon course completion students receive certifications in CPR, Wilderness First Aid and Swiftwater Rescue. No experience necessary. Tuition: $795

WHITEWATER RAFTING WORKSHOP
A full weekend of whitewater instruction and river skills practice for novice river guides and recreational boaters. One evening of lecture and discussion followed by two full days on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. We’ll focus on reading water and guiding paddle crews through Class II and III whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, rigging boats, communications, paddle commands, boat handling, and rescue scenarios.: $185

Dates: May 20-21

June 14-15
Equipment: You will need a full wetsuit or drysuit; a pair of neoprene booties and gloves, a helmet (w/skullcap or hat); and a lifejacket. Personal equipment rentals are available from Montana River Guides for $25 the first day of class. Bring a lunch, water and extra dry, warm top & bottom layers such as fleece and polypropelene.

Registration: Register by calling to confirm space in the class. We require a 50% deposit to hold your spot. Just call and give us a credit card number or send the deposit and your contact information to: Montana River Guides 761 Hidden Valley Rd, Florence MT 59833. Agency billing can be arranged over the phone. If the course is cancelled or you cancel more than three weeks prior to the class a full refund will be made--otherwise you may forfeit your deposit. For specific directions, a class outline, and lodging info, call Mike or Cody, at (406)-777-4837. For more information check our website at www.montanariverguides.com.
Mike Johnston, Instructor
Phone: 406-77-RIVER or 406-240-0560 (cell)
Email: rivers@montana.com
http://www.montanariverguides.com
www.riverboardingmontana.blogspot.com
www.riverrescue.blogspot.com