An approximation of what adventure level (from easier to challenging) you should expect to encounter under typical conditions on this trip. Note: Even an “easier” trip can become “challenging”due to weather, water level, or your personal choice of boat and/or hiking options.
Active participation in all facets of river running; cold water with intentional flips/swims in Class III rapids
River Rating
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River Rating –
Most rivers are rated on a scale of I – VI: from Class I, moving water with riffles and small waves, to Class VI, extreme whitewater not commercially navigable.
Accommodations
Camping
Highlights
Essential whitewater raft guide training
Train on the American River near Sacramento
Learn Swiftwater Rescue
Elevate your private boating skills & your prospects for getting work as a professional raft guide
New skills will also include: guiding a paddle raft, boat-rigging, camp skills, food prep & equipment care
Adventure Overview
Learn to guide paddle rafts down exciting whitewater rivers with the company twice named the “The Best River & Sea Outfitter on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure magazine.
You need no prior outdoor or river rafting experience to participate in OARS California Whitewater Rafting Guide Schools. You will learn rafting and camping techniques that will be useful throughout your lifetime.
This California guide school is ideal for:
Those interested in working as a professional whitewater rafting guide (ask us about tuition assistance for prospective guides who submit an employment application)
Parties interested in guiding their own paddle raft on private river trips
Anyone interested in learning the basics of whitewater paddle rafting, reading whitewater and river safety
Anyone who appreciates experiential learning
Folks looking for unusual graduation, anniversary, birthday, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day or honeymoon gift ideas
Why sign up for a California Whitewater Guide School with OARS?
As the largest and most geographically diverse whitewater rafting and adventure travel outfitter in North America, OARS knows a thing or two about rivers and river safety
Outside magazine, National Geographic Traveler magazine, Sunset, Good Morning America, Condé Nast Traveler and Men’s Journal have all recognized OARS as offering some of the “Best Trips” on the planet
OARS has been guiding people on rivers and coastlines worldwide since 1969, including relaxing Class I floats to adrenaline-pumping Class V rivers throughout North and South America to the Class 10 rapids found in the Grand Canyon
More than 500,000 guests have entrusted OARS to escort them on some of the most spectacular wilderness destinations worldwide
We use top-notch, well-maintained equipment
Our experienced, well-rounded guide instructors are personable, approachable and the best in the business
We are committed to treading lightly on the environment
If you have no outdoor experience, we’ll show you the ropes
We have the best guide-to-guest ratio in the business (1:4) ensuring personal attention
The California Guide School includes:
California whitewater rafting on the South Fork American River located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills
Guide training
Meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 9
Rafts and related river equipment, including paddles, helmet, wetsuit, personal flotation device
8 nights riverside camping at the OARS American River Outpost and a 2-person tent (You may bring your own sleeping bag/pad or rent them from OARS)
Whitewater navigation, including paddle raft techniques, route selection, maneuvering rafts, boat spacing and river etiquette
Two-day River Rescue Certification
Swiftwater rescue techniques, include swimming in whitewater, hand signals, ropes, knots, anchors, flipped raft scenarios, throw bag technique, shallow water crossings, rescuing and extricating an accident victim from the water, swiftwater rescue team organization
An example of course content taught during the OARS California Guide School:
Don’t want the fun to end? If you do well in our California Whitewater Rafting Guide School, we just might consider asking you to stay on as an OARS guide at our American River Outpost. (We do give preferential consideration to our guide school graduates.) Click here to complete our online guide application.
As the paddle sports industry evolves (smaller companies are disbanding, guide retention rate is shrinking due to fewer opportunities) working within the rafting industry has become increasingly competitive. OARS requires skilled guides and seeks a higher proficiency rate of its crew. This guide school is a critical first step to river guiding and may provide an opportunity for employment with a well-established organization with itineraries spread throughout the western U.S. and beyond our borders.
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 South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar and Salmon Falls Bridge, we acknowledge the territories of the Nisenan.
“Our guide school trainers, Dana and Jody, were awesome. They were with us every step of the way. I always felt safe which made it easy to step up to the next challenge and they always had good feedback at the end of each day. Every day was challenging and fun! ” -Marie Riley Baldante ~ Philadelphia, PA
“I loved learning how to become a smart, safe, educated river guide, and seeing the differences between OARS guides and those of other companies.
Dave and Jody were both awesome teachers and a lot of fun to be around. They were both super accessible and intelligent.”