Whitewater Guide Training
Missoula, Spokane & Coeur d’alene
Pangaea River Rafting guide school is designed for you! Whether you want to become a commercial river guide or you love running the river with family and friends, hone your whitewater skills during Pangaea’s guide training course. The course is designed to lead you every step of the way!
You will learn how to read currents, paddle guide, row (optional), swim swift currents, scout whitewater, flip and recover rafts. Our rafting rescue safety course (module 2), a key part of our white water training, will teach you exactly how to handle a variety of situations on the river (and a whole lot more).
We designed Pangaea’s guide training school to meet Washington State’s strict whitewater guide regulations. These regulations exceed industry standards and are widely regarded as the gold standard for guide training.
Guide Training Dates 2025
Introduction to Whitewater Rafting – Level 101 (module 1)
May 30-31 & June 1, 2 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Whitewater Guiding & River Rafting Rescue – Level 102 (module 2)
June 6, 7, 8 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
*scroll below for more information
Guide Training - Level 101
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Introduction to Whitewater Rafting - (module 1)
Guide Training - Level 102
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Whitewater Guiding & Rafting Rescue - (module 2)
Course Schedule
Depending on your goals and experience, you can attend either module. Attending and completing both modules qualifies you to receive your guide training certificate.
The Full Course – Six Days
The full course, level 101 and level 102 (modules 1 & 2), meets Washington State’s guide training requirements of 50 hours of training. The cost of the six day course is $498. Pick any of the weekends that work for you.
The Single Course Option – Three Days
Pick and choose what course you want. If you’d like to attend only one rafting module, like the Level 101 course, the cost per course is $249.
Guide Training Dates
Introduction to Whitewater Rafting – Level 101 (module 1)
May 30-31 & June 1 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Whitewater Guiding & River Rafting Rescue – Level 102 (module 2)
June 6, 7, 8
Missed a Weekend? Make Up The Class (module 1 or 2)
We will work with you to make up any missed days.
Want to Work for Pangaea?
Excellent! Pangaea hires our guides directly from our guide training course. Once you’ve completed the required curriculum (depending on your experience level), we’ll start training you every day until you’re ready to take commercial guests down the river. This often means more laps on the river, shadow guiding other veteran guides, assisting trips, rigging and de-rigging trips, and a host of other details that you’ll learn as you progress.
*If you start guiding for Pangaea, we will even REIMBURSE YOU THE COST OF THE COURSE! Once you guide ten commercial trips, we’ll repay your guide training course fee.
Already a Guide But You Want to Work for Pangaea?
Are you already a commercial guide looking to work for Pangaea? Great! A fantastic way to interview with us, and get some training in, is to join us for a day (or six) during guide training. You might get some time on the stick, but more importantly, you’ll get to know us and we’ll get to know you.There’s no cost to join us for training to interview. If the interview goes well, we’ll ask you to join us for the rest of training at no cost to you.
Questions?
We’ve got answers. Please give us a call at 406-239-2392 or simply send us an email right here…
Guide Training
The Guide Training Curriculum:
Introduction to Whitewater Rafting – Level 101 (module 1)
- Reading river characteristics including currents, eddies, rapids, and hazards
- Communicating with clients, including paddling and safety instruction
- Paddling strokes and techniques
- Rowing strokes and techniques
- Boat design and boat/river interaction
- Equipment preparation and boat rigging
- Equipment storage
- Vehicle and trailer prep and inspection
- Customer Service
Whitewater Guiding & Swift Water Self Rescue – Level 102 (module 2)
Prerequisites: at least 3 runs down class III+ whitewater rowing or guiding your own boat, private or commercial guiding experience
- Review of Level 101 curriculum
- Reading river characteristics including currents, eddies, rapids, and hazards
- Methods of scouting and running rapids
- Swift water rescue techniques, including emergency procedures and equipment recovery
- Swimming rapids
- Rescuing swimmers
- Risk management
Guide Training - Level 101
-
Introduction to Whitewater Rafting - (module 1)
Guide Training - Level 102
-
Whitewater Guiding & Rafting Rescue - (module 2)
Where is Guide Training?
The course will be conducted on the Clark Fork River or Blackfoot River in Montana and/or the Spokane River depending on water levels [note: the Spokane River is usually our last choice for training]. The access and opportunity on the Clark Fork River is our favorite, as it is unmatched in quality of learning environment anywhere else in our area. Regardless of where we meet for class, the first day of module 1 & 2 will start at Pangaea’s headquarters, 11111 Mullan Rd E. Superior, MT 59872.
When Should You Arrive for Class?
Many people arrive Thursday night (the night before class), and set up camp for the weekend at our white water training center beside the Clark Fork River. We will be busy from 8:30 AM until 6:00 PM each day of training. On Friday, the first day of each course, please arrive before 9:00 AM. 9:00 AM is the start time! We will eat lunch on the river, so be ready with lunch, snacks, and water to carry with you on the river.
Gear That You Will Need
Pangaea provides you with all of the rafting gear that you need for the course: wetsuits, booties, and PFD’s. However, you will need to bring the following items:
- wool or synthetic base layers top and bottom (2 pairs)
- warm non cotton socks (multiple pairs)
- warm hat
- water bottle with attachment point
- bathing suit
- warm mid weight layer (like a zip up fleece or equivalent mid layer)
- rain coat
- gloves
Car camping/tent camping with us each evening is optional. If you decide to camp, consider bringing:
- a tent or car or camper or trailer (some other form of shelter at night)
- sleeping bag
- cook set
- utensils
- headlamp
- dry clothes
- lots of food and beverages of choice
Graduation Day!
After completing the full 50 hour guide training program, you will receive a certificate of completion and an evaluation that will serve as your legal verification of meeting strict guide training standards!
Bring Family and Friends
If you’re taking the full six day guide training course, on your final day of training, you may guide your friends and family on the river! You will be running the trip just like a professional guide, giving your own safety talk, running the river with or without a trainer in the boat with you (your choice), and calling the commands. On the guide graduation day, please no children under 18 years old. Cost is an additional $25 per person to cover shuttle, river equipment, and trip expenses.
Meet Times
Friday (first day) we meet at 9:00 am local time
Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 am local time
Location
11111 Mullan Rd E.
Superior, MT 59872
Discounts
If any Pangaea guide training class graduates work for Pangaea, they are eligible for full reimbursement. If a guide trainee works as a commercial guide on a minimum of 10 commercial trips, Pangaea will reimburse your course fee 100%.
Questions or Want to Book?
Guide training often fills up. Don’t be disappointed, call, email or book online to make sure you don’t “miss the boat.”
Phone: 406-239-2392
Email: info@leaveboringbehind.com