Higher Learning - Outdoor Guide School and Kayak Instruction
Have License, Will Travel...
O.A.R.S. has nearly 40 years experience operating outdoor guide schools focused on first class raft guide training. Learn the basics. Fundamental instruction on river trip guiding, reading water, navigation and control, group dynamic study, leadership tools and beyond-the-basics culinary skills in the great outdoors.
Located in some of the West's most rugged, glorious country, O.A.R.S. instructional courses and tour guide training programs are a great place to begin or broaden a career in guiding - be it kayak instruction, or basic river running skills. With a student-to-instructor ratio of 4:1 and a "total immersion" philosophy of day and night, hands-on learning, curriculum quantity and quality are unparalleled.
California Guide School
This course is taught by professional guides who have a sincere interest in teaching, and is also known as “Whitewater Boot Camp.” Our California Guide School provides the knowledge and experience for participants to be able to maneuver rafts in intermediate whitewater. Most of those who complete the course need only a few more trips with a baggage boat before they are skilled enough to begin work as a professional guide. We teach both oar rig and paddle raft captaining. You will be given an in-depth general knowledge of whitewater rafting from A to Z.
Whitewater Kayaking Instruction
Our Beginning
Kayak Instruction Course provides flat-water instruction to
familiarize you with equipment and technique, followed by a journey
down the Salmon River. During this program you’ll learn the
essential skills necessary to enjoy safe, pleasurable boating. Those
who excel at the basics are encouraged to develop play-boating
techniques as well.
Few rivers offer whitewater excitement suitable for such a wide range
of ages and experience levels as the Main Salmon. Its Class III rapids
are a great whitewater introduction for our Intermediate
Kayak Instruction Course, yet challenging enough to inspire
adrenaline in experienced river runners. The Main’s water
flows freely, without the obstruction of man-made dams, surging through
a scenic river canyon in rolling wave trains and exciting drops,
separated by lazy stretches during which you can sit back and relax,
enjoying the company of your fellow river rats.
Paddle it, Pedal it, Walk it, Rock it. The O.A.R.S. Armada ranges from rafts to kayaks. If you want to become a guide, you owe it to yourself to learn from the best and most diverse outfitter in the business.
Have you run the wild ones?
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