OARS Launches New Rowing Clinics on the Green River for 2020

New Trips on Utah’s Upper and Lower Green River and the Lower Salmon River in Idaho

Angels Camp, Calif. — Veteran river outfitter OARS is launching three new whitewater rowing clinics for 2020 and doubling down on opportunities for aspiring river guides and private boaters to develop more advanced boating skills, while learning about river logistics management, swiftwater rescue techniques, camp skills, and more.

After a stellar 2019 rafting season and in response to increasing demand for instructional programs, OARS has added three new instructional rowing clinics for next year on the Upper and Lower Green River in Utah and a new Dory School on the Lower Salmon River in Idaho. OARS will continue to offer its popular Rogue River Rowing Clinic in Southern Oregon along with the company’s whitewater guide schools in California and in Utah’s Dinosaur National Monument. The expanded rowing clinic programs are designed more for those who are interested in learning to guide their own private river trips and are a great option for people interested in being an active participant in their vacation and in learning a new set of skills.

“The rowing clinics are a great way to learn and improve skills with guides who not only do it everyday, but make it their lifelong career,” says Bruce Lavoie, Dinosaur Regional Manager and Risk Management Officer at OARS. “Participants will learn trade secrets from the best. The skills of running a multi-day expedition are the focus of these trips. So beyond rowing there will be opportunities to learn about the gear, rigging boats, preparation and packing, food planning and preparation, rescue skills, and also the river lore. These courses were designed to build confidence for both private boaters and aspiring guides.”

New rowing clinic offerings include:

• Upper Green River Rowing Clinic – Learn to guide an oar raft down the upper stretches of the Green River in northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado with one of the most reputable rafting outfitters in the world. Over the course of six days, travel through two strikingly beautiful river canyons from Flaming Gorge into the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. Experienced river guides—all with whitewater rescue training and extensive trip leading experience—will share a wealth of outdoor and river knowledge and help improve boating techniques.
• Lower Green Rowing Clinic – Learn to guide an oar raft down the remote and rugged stretch of the Green River in central Utah and travel through Desolation and Gray canyons. Experienced river guides will share a wealth of outdoor and river knowledge over the six-day, five-night beginner whitewater rowing course. Participants will learn and practice newly-acquired skills as well as develop a greater knowledge of the river and camping. Instruction and hands-on learning will occur both on the river and in camp. No prior outdoor or whitewater rafting experience is required.
• Lower Salmon River Dory School – Learn to row a dory down the Lower Salmon River in west-central Idaho with the original dory guides. Dory rowing and handling requires different and more refined skills than rowing a raft, so prior rowing experience is required. Participants will venture through the stunning Seven Devils region with striking canyon scenery, sandy beaches, and incredible wildlife as experienced guides share a wealth of river skills and dory techniques. This five-day, four-night intermediate dory rowing course will emphasize new rowing skills, river techniques, and camping and land instruction. Hands-on learning occurs both on the river and in camp.

“Our rowing clinics are perfect for a wide variety of people; many come because they want to learn the skills to run trips on their own,” says Kate Wollney, OARS Oregon Regional Manager and Human Resource Liaison. “Others are there simply because they want a hands-on experiential adventure where learning to row creates a greater connection to the river.”

OARS is proud to offer a 20 percent discount on instructional programs in California, Oregon, and Utah for current students with a valid ID, active military, and first responders.