Oregon Rowing Guide School
Learn to row an oar raft, step into guide life, and discover if you’ve got what it takes to become a professional multi-day river guide at Oregon Rowing Guide School with OARS.
There’s no better place to learn to become a multi-day river guide than Oregon’s Wild & Scenic Rogue River with the company that’s set the gold standard in safety and training. On our week-long raft guide training course, led by some of the most experienced and approachable guides in the industry, you’ll spend several days learning and practicing essential rafting skills on the idyllic Rogue River—building your confidence and competence on Class III–IV whitewater while surrrounded by cascading creeks, steep cliffs, and lush canyon scenery.
OARS Oregon Rowing Guide School is a world-class instructional program designed to teach participants how to proficiently guide an oar raft downstream. But reading water, catching an eddy, and how to recover after a flip are only a fraction of the skills you’ll walk away with. This is a chance to roll up the sleeves of your sun shirt and experience the day-to-day life of a multi-day river guide first-hand, including rigging and prepping for a trip, setting up camp, and cooking for the group. Each day in our outdoor classroom brings new opportunities to grow and excel as you gain confidence to pursue a career as a professional multi-day river guide.
How to Get the Lowest Price on Guide School & Start Your Career as a Professional River Guide
Our Oregon Rowing Guide School is a critical first step to river guiding and may provide an opportunity for you to get your foot in the door with a well-established organization like OARS. In fact, if you do well in our course, we just might consider asking you to stay on as an OARS guide. (We do give preferential consideration to our guide school graduates.) For aspiring full-time guides who’d like to get the lowest price on guide school, please complete the following steps:
- Read the information we provide for aspiring guides
- Fill out OARS RIVER GUIDE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION
- Complete interview with operations management
- If qualified, you will receive an invitation to attend guide school at the reduced cost ($300)
If you’re interested in leading private river trips or enjoy experiential vacations where you can learn new skills, OARS Rowing Clinics might better fit your interests. For those with financial need, a limited number of guide school scholarships are available.
Trip Highlights
What to Expect
Itinerary & Map
Itinerary at a Glance
We pride ourselves in running a relaxed and flexible schedule. Every Oregon Rowing Guide School is different depending upon the group, other trips on the water, camp locations, and sometimes the weather. The following is a sample of what your trip might be like:
Day 1
Arrive this morning at the OARS base in Grants Pass, OR, to meet your instructors and fellow students.
After loading gear and supplies for the trip, you’ll begin “dry land” training at the warehouse, covering essential topics and preparing for your time on the Rogue. We strive to tailor instruction to meet each participant’s experience level and help you build a solid foundation for success on the water.
Dinner and on-site camping at OARS are provided this evening. However, if you wish to stay at at hotel in Grants Pass (not included), you’re welcome to do so.
Day 2
Coffee and breakfast will be provided at the OARS base and then we’ll drive to the Alameda put-in on the Rogue River. At the put-in, everyone works together to unload gear. You’ll also learn the basics of rigging and river safety before we push off and begin on-water instruction.
Lunch each day will offer another opportunity for on-land instruction.
During the Oregon Rowing Guide School, you’ll gain hand-on experience and a better understanding of:
- Reading whitewater, route selection, and maneuvering oar rafts in Class II-IV whitewater
- Raft rigging/de-rigging and knot-tying
- River signals and how to communicate with your crew
- Camp skills—setting up a safe/comfortable camp, food handling/preparation, and minimum impact strategies
- Tying up and anchoring boats
- How to handle wildlife encounters & pesky critters
- Multi-day group dynamics and team problem-solving
- Basic swiftwater rescue techniques & risk management
- Leadership skills
- River etiquette
After each exciting day learning to maneuver rafts in whitewater, we’ll pull into camp for the evening. On the first night, you’ll learn how to set up a typical river kitchen and bathroom.
After dinner and closing down camp for the evening, there will be time to relax.
Day 3 – 6
Each morning begins in camp with coffee and a hearty student-prepared breakfast before packing up and rigging the rafts for the day. Once everything’s loaded, instructors may lead a short morning lesson before hitting the river.
Throughout each day, students will take turns leading the group and building skills in risk management, leadership, and sound decision-making. On the water, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice essential techniques, such as swiftwater rescue, reading and scouting rapids, catching eddies, flipping rafts, and refining your boat maneuvering skills.
Evenings bring the opportunity to hone in on camp skills and cooking for large groups, but also offers downtime for connecting with your peers.
Day 7
After lunch, we will arrive at our take-out, pack up, and drive back to OARS. Students and instructors will spend the afternoon and evening unloading, cleaning, and organizing all of the equipment. Dinner will be provided. Once we’ve de-rigged, you are free to head home or continue on to your next adventure. Participants are also welcome to camp on-site at OARS this final night.
Meeting Time & Place
Location
Grants Pass, OR
Meeting time
8 AM
Return
Approximately 8 PM
Trip Map
Dates & Prices
20% discount off the regular price for military, emergency first responders and students with a valid ID!
Aspiring OARS guides who would like to attend guide school at reduced cost should fill out the OARS River Guide Employment Application before registering. For more information, please visit our Guide School FAQs or call 800-346-6277.
| 2026 Departures | Price |
|---|---|
| May 7 | $2,599 |
DEPOSIT
$500
ADDITIONAL COSTS
• $10 per person federal, state, and local access fees
• Sleep Kit $40 | Tent included
The Need-to-Know Info
Trip Details
Included in Your Trip Cost
Not Included in Your Trip Cost
- Pre- and post-trip transportation, accommodations, and meals
- Rogue River Access Fee
- Sleeping bag & a deluxe 3-inch thick air-filled sleeping pad (these items may be rented from OARS)
- Insurance of any kind, including a travel protection plan
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for your instructors
The Oregon Rowing Guide School uses oar rafts, as learning/enhancing rowing skills is the focal point of this trip. Please be aware that we will ask you to share boat time and rowing opportunities with your fellow travelers. Learn more about rafts and the rest of the OARS Fleet.
After each active day on the river, we pull ashore to camp for the night. Our first task is to unload the boats using a fire line of crew and students to expedite the process. Everyone will help set up camp including the kitchen, classroom, and toilet before setting up personal tents and camp for the night.
Students will take turns preparing all meals with help from a guide mentor. While dinner is being prepared there is an opportunity to relax and reflect on the day with your fellow traveling companions.
In the morning, students will help prepare hot drinks and breakfast. You can fill your mug and grab a bite, then begin to pack up your personal belongings and sleep gear.
After breakfast, the entire camp is broken down and packed up. Instructors will provide morning learning opportunities that you will practice throughout the day. Once all of the gear is loaded back onto the boats, we’ll head downstream to see what new adventures await us.
More info about Meals & Dietary Restrictions can be found on our Trip Resources page.
The weather in Southern Oregon is typically quite favorable during the summer months. The days are long and typically dry, making for a pleasant journey. Like anywhere, though, the weather can be unpredictable at times. Early and late-season trips can bring a wider range of temperatures, and one should always be prepared for rain.
Average Air & Water Temperatures
| Air (Day) °F | Air (Night) °F | Water °F | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 65-75 | 40-50 | 58 |
Whitewater
Few rivers offer whitewater excitement suitable for such a wide range of ages and experience levels as the Rogue. The river’s Class III-IV rapids make the perfect classroom for those who are seeking to learn how to row a raft. The Rogue’s flows are regulated by upstream dams, which allow for reliable river flows all season long. Enjoy rolling wave trains and exciting drops, separated by calmer waters, as you float down these scenic rivers.
Learn more about whitewater rafting levels and classifications to help you choose the right adventure for your experience, comfort and skill level.
Before booking your trip with OARS, there are a few important considerations we’d like you to know about.
Reservations and Deposits
A $400/person deposit is required at the time of booking with final payment due 60 days before departure. Accounts on which final payment has not been received 50 days before the departure date will be canceled.
Payments can be made by check, money order, eCheck, wire transfer, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Prices are in US Dollars, and all payments must be made in US Dollars. Payment of the deposit establishes your acceptance of our complete Terms and Conditions. Individual departures and trip capacity are strictly limited by the managing agency. Your payment is fully refundable for 7 days, less a 3% processing fee, after making a reservation when you reserve a trip 7 days or more prior to the final payment due date.
Cancellations and Refunds
Canceling your trip after your deposit is processed will incur cancellation fees because OARS has absorbed costs on your behalf and will turn others away who would like to book the spaces we’re holding for you. If you must cancel your reservation after the rescission period described above, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the schedule below.
We regret that we cannot make exceptions to the cancellation policy for any reason, including foul weather, poor air quality, wildfire activity, acts of terrorism, civil unrest, or personal emergencies. For these reasons, we strongly urge you to consider purchasing a travel protection plan.
| Date of Cancellation | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| 180 or more days before your trip | $50/person |
| 179 – 90 days before your trip | $100/person |
| 89 – 60 days before your trip | $200/person. The remainder of your payment can be transferred to another trip within the same year (or to a credit account for the following year). No refund. |
| 59 days or less before your trip | Full fare |
Please note that different deposit/cancellation policies may apply for charter groups. Refer to the group organizer’s confirmation email for details.
Canceled Trips
OARS reserves the right to cancel any trip due to insufficient registration or other factors that make the trip impractical to operate. In such instances, we will inform you at least 45 days prior to departure. Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have verified with OARS that your trip is confirmed.
If a trip must be canceled or postponed due to force majeure (factors outside the control of OARS), OARS will provide full credit for payments made toward future travel, or a refund less the initial deposit amount and any non-refundable payments made on your behalf to 3rd-party suppliers. OARS will make good faith efforts to recover deposits made on your behalf to 3rd-party suppliers; however, we cannot guarantee recovery of any or all of the advance payments made. OARS is not responsible for expenses incurred by participants in preparation for a canceled trip.
Transfers
If you need to move your reservation to a different trip during the same season, or to a credit account for the following year, there is a $25/person fee up until 90 days before departure for a one-time transfer of your payment. Transfer requests made 89 days or less before departure will be treated like a cancellation according to the schedule above.
O.A.R.S. West, Inc. operates on the Rogue River as a permitted outfitter of the Bureau of Land Management and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Ancestral Lands Acknowledgement
We respect and recognize that many of the river canyons on state and federal lands where we operate are the ancestral homes of Indigenous communities. Where we operate on the Rogue River between Almeda Bar and Foster Bar, we acknowledge the territories of the Tolowa Dee-ni’, Takelma, Modoc, Cow Creek Umpqua, Tututni, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
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