River Guide Schools

Numerous river guide schools are offered every spring and summer on the American Rivers in California and on the Rogue River in southern Oregon. Several rafting outfitters offer schools as training courses for future commercial guides and people who just want to run private trips someday. There are often rumors circulating that one must be "a young buck" in order to attend guide school, but that just isn't true. People ranging from 18 on up enjoy the excitement and education of river rafting guide school. The only requirement is that you are young at heart.

Guide school is often one of the highlights of a river guiding career since the stories of first-time runs through Trouble Maker, Satan's Cespool, or Blossom Bar, tend to become more and more exaggerated as time goes on. Flipping drills, swimming rapids, and z-rig practice generally lead to great legends told over dinner or at an evening campfire circle.

Schools are generally no larger than fifteen trainees and five guides. Throughout the one to two weeks of "school," trainees become great friends while learning how to read water, use rafting equipment, and cook up gourmet meals in camp. The camraderie and life-long friendships are just icing on the Dutch Oven cake.

Rafting Companies Guide Schools

Adventure Center

All-Outdoors

ARTA River Trips

ECHO River Trips

Mariah Wilderness Expeditions

Mother Lode River Trips

Peak Adventures

REO Whitewater Rafting, Vancouver, Canada

River Dancers

River and Rock Adventures

W.E.T. River Trips

Whitewater Voyages

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Disclaimer: River descriptions and classifications may change due to natural events that may create new hazards or flows. C-W-R advises that any paddler that uses this site be additionally informed by seeking out local news and updates for changes on this river.