The clinic on both Saturday and Sunday have been filled.
if interested in standby, please submit your name, phone number and email so we can contact you if anything opens up.
Add me to the Standby List
River Safety and Rescue Class
Casey Garland will again present a course on river safety and rescue techniques. Casey has 40 years of experience as a river rafting outfitter and guide. Happily retired, Swift Water Rescue Technician Master Instructor and responsible for introducing swift water rescue training in Washington, Oregon, Canada, Japan and Taiwan. When he's not working on his new home, or on an expedition river trip, he loves sharing his knowledge with kayakers and rafters.
This class is great for a beginning whitewater kayaker, or even a kayaker looking to tune up their rescue skills.
May 2nd (9am - 5pm)
Maximum 11 participants *subject to COVID restrictions
Course Topics:
The course will prioritize life saving techniques. We will focus on rescue equipment typically carried whilst on the river, and how it should be used in a rescue situation.
- Throw bags (dry land)
- Crossing swift current (alone, group only if vaccinated)
- Throw bags (live bait)
- Aggressive swimming through rapids without boat/paddle
- Techniques used while swimming into a log on the river - a large diameter pipe is used to simulate a log, you will learn all techniques of how to swim into, under, over, and learn to walk-off the end of it (see slideshow below)
- Rescuing swimmer from opposite shore, or midstream rock
- Rescuing someone in a pinned kayak / strategy to get them out
Options if time permits:
Releasing kayak stuck in a hole
Z-drag (anchors, prusiks)
Rollling tips - bring a boat if desired (not necessary)
Student pre-course work:
To ensure maximum benefit from the course, participants should be able to confidently tie a water, figure of 8, bowline knots and a prusik knot, as well as set up a basic 3:1 mechanical advantage z-drag system. To assist you, we have created and attached a 'knots/anchor/belay how to' document. Click on the buttons below and be sure you are ready for class..
WKC WW Rescue Course - Knots and Anchors
WKC WW Rescue Course - Z-drag and Vector
Bring:
All rescue gear you carry in your kayak (throw rope, carabiners, pulley, prusik loop, webbing, etc.)
Lunch
Dress warm for being in the river
Cost:
$50 (1/2 off if you lead just 1 WKC Trip in 2021, reimbursed after you have completed your 2021 WKC Trip)
$100 (Full price)
Once you have completed your trip, contact WKC Safety Chair
Aaron