Packrafting Course
Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course
This course provides a basic introduction to the gear and skills needed to navigate and safely paddle down Class II rivers. Topics covered include river navigation, reading whitewater, basic whitewater paddling strokes and maneuvers, self and partner rescue, team boating, trip preparation and self care.
Contacts
- Wed, Feb 26, 2025 - Sun, Aug 31, 2025
- Committee: Seattle Packrafting Committee
- Members: $425.00 Guests: $510.00
- Availability: FULL, 7 on waitlist (10 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
ACTIVITIES
- An evening lecture to introduce gear and provide a course overview
- An evening lecture to introduce river hazards and safety skills
- A river outing to practice swimming safety and rescue
- An evening lecture to introduce river navigation and paddling
- A river outing to practice various paddling techniques
- A river outing focused on river navigation and team boating
All six activities are required of all students.
For students who have successfully attended the six activities associated with this course, participation in one additional class II river trip is required to earn the Basic Whitewater Course Badge.
Application
Please fill out, using the apply button to the right. This starts a conversation between students and course leader to ensure that we are on the same page with regards to course expectations and gear needs. If you are accepted, you will be offered a spot in the course. Please do not register until then. My goal will be to respond to the first batch of applications within 5 days of the course being published. Please reach out if you have any questions!
Boat Rentals
The Seattle Packrafting Committee has a small fleet of gear that is available for rentals on a limited basis.
-
For students registered in a course: $200 rental fee for 2 months, plus $200 refundable damage deposit.
- Rental Kit includes a boat, paddle, and accessories. See Packrafting Kit - Student Rental merchandise page for more details.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Mountaineers is committed to helping make the outdoors accessible to all. In addition to providing gear to loan, we aim to reduce financial barriers by providing scholarships. Our scholarships are funded by donors who believe in The Mountaineers mission to help folks get outside, and to preserve our wild landscapes.If your current financial situation limits your access to the outdoors, we encourage you to complete a scholarship application here. If you're inspired to contribute to making the outdoors more inclusive, we encourage you to make a tax-deductible donation through our website.
SKILLS
river Swimming
- Execute a flat jump into whitewater
- Swim down a class II rapid in the safety position
- Transition into an aggressive swim, catch an eddy
- Exit a river in a seal crawl
- Ferry swim across a class II river
- Aggressive swim to a rope and hold in the position for rescue
BOAT RIGGING AND GEAR KNOWLEDGE
- Packraft inflation, rigging, deflation and care
- Drysuit and other things you wear and their use and care
- Perform a mock boat repair
SELF RESCUE SKILLS
- Re-enter a stabilized boat in deep water
- Swim 50 feet (15m) with a paddle in a class II current
- Self-reentry from deep water in 90 seconds
- Capsize while holding on to paddle and boat
PARTNER RESCUE
- Stabilize a swimmer's boat while they reenter
- Tow a swimmer 30ft (10m) to their boat
- Right a capsized boat and boat bump 30ft (10m) to a swimmer
- Paddle with two paddles 50ft (15m)
- Throw a rope to a swimmer and belay them to shore
PADDLING SKILLS
- Launch into current
- Back-ferry across a class II current
- Downstream ferry through a boulder garden
- Catch and exit from an onshore eddy
- Catch and exit from a mid-stream eddy
- Paddle through a small hole
- Paddle through a class II wave train
- Manage boat speed by backpaddling and sideways slowing
reading whiteWATER
- Current, eddies, boulders, holes, wave trains
- Wood hazards, strainers
- Mid-stream and onshore eddies
- Sieves, siphons, whirlpools
- Channels and cobble bars
Badges you will earn:
Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Gear Lecture | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Feb 26, 2025
Registration closes Feb 24
|
1
participant
1 instructor
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - River Lecture #1 | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Mar 19, 2025
Registration closes Mar 17
|
1
participant
1 instructor
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Field Trip #1 | |||
| Snoqualmie River: Powerhouse to Plum Landing |
Sat, Mar 22, 2025
Registration closes Mar 20
|
1
participant
1 instructor
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - River Lecture #2 | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Mar 26, 2025
Registration closes Mar 24
|
1
participant
1 instructor
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Field Trip #2 | |||
| Green River: Franklin to Auburn |
Sat, Mar 29, 2025
Registration closes Mar 27
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Field Trip #3 | |||
| Snoqualmie River (Middle Fork - Lower Middle): Tanner to North Bend |
Sat, Apr 5, 2025
Registration closes Apr 3
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
Required Equipment
Students will need to provide the following equipment. We can help with recommendations for sizes and/or manufacturers. This resource list is very helpful, and we do our best to keep it current.
Whitewater packraft. This means a boat with a deck or self bailing so that it does not fill with water. Should be made out of “rugged” material. Largely, that disqualifies any “light weight” rafts. It must be rigged with bow and stern grab lines. We have mostly chosen Alpacka Rafts, and can attest to their quality. Other manufacturers make suitable rafts. Thigh straps are not required, but many people like having them.
If you wish to order an Alpacka packraft, that should be done soon after getting into the class. Other pieces of gear are more readily available and can be purchased after the gear meeting.
Dry suit. Goretex does breath better, but is more expensive and heavier. See the Kayak Academy's Buyer's Guide
Whitewater Helmet. Fit is most important. Allow space for a hat or balaclava. Consider how sunglasses fit. Bicycle helmets or climbing helmets are not acceptable.
PFD. A wide range of options are suitable. You might choose a light weight PFD if you anticipate carrying it, or choose a rescue PFD if you’re goal is more difficult rapids.
Paddle. Single piece paddles are light and strong, but awkward to transport. Four-piece paddles are easy to transport but weigh more. Two-part paddles are the most common, reasonably light and easy to transport. A two-part paddle can be carried inside most rafts. However, on a backpack, two-part paddles are awkward.
River shoes. Most shoes that can get wet will do. Soft neoprene boots can work but will be uncomfortable for walking on river rocks. Functionally, your shoes should:
- Offer good protection from rocks
- Be oversized to allow extra socks.
- Drain water easily.
- Not have loose laces or other features that may catch on something.
Whistle. If you don’t own one, The Storm Whistle is effectively loud
Warm Layers: The outdoor layers that you use for other sports likely work well.
Deck Bag / Dry bags: For storage of equipment on and in the boat. We find the expedition bow bag to be super useful and recommend it. You can make do with several dry bags.
Repair Kit: An adequate repair kit comes with Alpacka Rafts. If your raft does not come with such a kit, anticipate putting one together.
Hand Protection: Some combination of warm paddling gloves, pogies, and blister protection.
The Packrafting Committee has a number of packrafts available to rent for the duration of the course. See the Packrafting Gear Rentals page.
You must register for this course to see course materials.