Whitewater Raft Guide Training-Wenatchee River
Course Description:
Osprey’s Guide Training Program is an open enrollment program. Anyone can participate and no prior experience is necessary! This training program will be facilitated by our lead guides, who are either American Canoe Association certified instructors, or certified Raft Guide Instructors. We use a version of the ACA’s training curriculum that has been adapted to fit our training schedule and is we use different sections of the Wenatchee River to train, test and certify the Raft Guides that we train.
The program is designed for people interested in pursuing employment as a guide in the whitewater industry, and also for people who desire to learn more about rivers, river travel, and acquire the skills and confidence to navigate watercraft through class 2-4 whitewater. This course is also a ton of fun, a perfect way to experience the best high water flow of the season, and a great opportunity to meet other outdoor adventure enthusiasts.
Every weekend in April will consist of a mixture of classroom and on the water experience. The course is designed for hands-on experience and making sure that each individual is meeting personal goals and expectations.
A CPR course will also be offered sometime mid-April, since all companies require this for employment.
Osprey will provide wetsuit, paddle jacket, PFD (also known as lifejacket), and booties. If participants are interested in guiding professionally or for leisure, it is recommended to acquire your own gear.
Osprey provides all employees and trainees with wholesale discount prices on quality whitewater gear. It is best to purchase this gear in advance and orders can be made with the training deposit.
Course Details for 2011:
When: Every Saturday and Sunday from April 2nd through Sunday May 8th. Plan 8 to 10 hours per day of training with a 1 hr lunch break each day. Our weekend training program is intensive, but you can also add to your experience even more! Osprey guides-in-training are welcome to continue their training with us while assisting with Osprey commerical rafting trips Monday through Friday during their training. Rafting with us during the week will better solidify the lessons learned during the weekend training sessions. Taking advantage of the weekday training is optional but recommended for those who have flexible schedules, transportation, and don’t mind camping out in beautiful Leavenworth. (Or have housing available in the area.)
May 7th and 8th is our certification weekend in which you will be tested as a Raft Guide here on the Wenatchee River. You can invite seven or eight adults to come and be your first group of rafters that you will guide down the Wenatchee River. This trip is the last step needed to successfully complete your Osprey Whitewater Raft Guide Training course. Your family and friends can enjoy a fun whitewater adventure with you that includes a riverside beach party BBQ at the end of the trip where you can celebrate your accomplishments together. The cost for the family and friends rafting trip and dinner is $40 per person.
Where: The Wenatchee River is our primary classroom. Training starts each day at 8AM at the Osprey Rafting Company main office located at: 9342 Icicle River Road, Leavenworth, WA 98826
Cost: $430.00 Per Person
Includes gear rentals, CPR certification, use of instructional, supplemental supplies and river gear. Osprey also supplies shuttles to and from the river, and great deals on purchasing your own equipment.
Guide Trainees qualify for big discounts on buying river gear and on other Osprey Training courses:
- Kayak Instruction
- Kayak instructors course ACA certification
- Guide Training instructors course ACA Certification
- SRT Swiftwater Rescue Technician Certification
To reserve your place in the class a deposit of at least half of the total cost ($215.00) is due for registrations made before March 2nd. Full payment is required for registrations from March 3rd to April 2nd. All payments are non-refundable.
Goals:
To provide participants with knowledge and skills of whitewater rafting, river reading, training your crew and paddle guiding according to participant goals and experience.
To assist participants with employment opportunities in the rafting field, either with Osprey or other desired employers.
To have fun, meet new people, and acquire new skills and knowledge while maintaining safety and participant comfort.
Sign Up Now!
Signing up is easy, just call Osprey at 1-800-743-6269 during our office hours and sign up over the phone. To get your spot in the training course reserved you can also pay with a credit card when you call. If you are in Leavenworth feel free to drop by the Osprey office and sign up in person.