Whitewater Rowing Clinics
Rowing Courses with OARS
For those looking to push their skills to the next level, OARS offers a collection of beginner whitewater rowing clinics on the Colorado, Green, Lower Salmon, the Wild & Scenic Rogue River and a one-of-a-kind (intermediate) dory school on the Lower Salmon River. During these multi-day instructional programs, private boaters, aspiring guides, and newcomers will learn how to safely pilot oar rafts and dories (dory school only) through Class II-III whitewater.
Learn to Row Your Own Raft or Dory
With river operations throughout the West, OARS runs hundreds of multi-day river trips each year that utilize oar rafts and dories. Clinics are taught by professional OARS guides with formal swiftwater rescue training and extensive guiding experience. Participants will dive into the mechanics of rowing as well as other useful river skills.
A Classroom on the River
Rowing clinics will include lessons on river hydraulics, boat rigging, packing, rope techniques and river etiquette. Participants will also receive handy tips on setting up camp and some of the best river recipes in the West.
Beginners are welcome on our Rogue River, Upper & Lower Green River, Lower Salmon River, and Colorado River Rowing Clinics. Prior experience is required to join our intermediate dory school on Idaho’s Lower Salmon River.
While OARS’ rowing clinics and dory school are ideal for anyone looking to learn something new or develop their whitewater rowing skills, our whitewater guide school programs are better suited for aspiring river guides with no prior experience.
Become a Professional river guide
If you’re interested in working toward becoming a professional river guide, and getting your foot in the door with OARS, see our Hiring and Guide School FAQs.
Find Your Perfect Trip
Rowing Clinics
Colorado River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
Lower Green River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
Upper Green River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
Lower Salmon River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Idaho
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
Lower Salmon River Dory School
Location:
Idaho
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
18
Rogue River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Oregon
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
The instruction, guides, locations, and food were all excellent! The Team at OARS provide instruction on reading water, water hydraulics, knots, rafts and raft maintenance, rowing techniques, along with many other items. They also took the time to get to know each rower and understand each rower's skill sets. The trip gradually increased it's intensity as we moved down the river and the team continued to instruct adding on layers from pervious lessons. This was exceptionally organized and run rowing clinic, I would recommend it to anyone looking to learn or advance their skills on an oar raft.
Ted from Seattle, WA Rogue River Rowing Clinic Guest
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