School of Whitewater Paddling
Swiftwater Rescue
This course teaches rescue knowledge and skills for Class II river paddling and is designed for whitewater paddlers of all experience levels. The format is 2 days of instruction combining safety talks and skills practice at camp with hands-on river drills as we travel downriver on the Mulberry River.
Rather than staying in one spot, we'll move downstream — reading the river, identifying hazards, and stopping at good locations to practice throw bag rescues, swimming drills, boat-based rescues, and mechanical haul systems. This downriver format gives you real-world context for every skill, because on an actual river trip, the rescue scene comes to you.
Expect to be in the water and out of your boat — a lot. Dress for immersion, not the air temperature. Even in May, extended time in the water will get cold. A full wetsuit is the minimum; a drysuit is better. This is not a classroom course — be ready to swim.
This is a skills-based workshop as part of the ACC's School of Whitewater Paddling. No certifications are offered. Our goal is to send you home with practical rescue skills you can use on your next river trip.
Prerequisites:
Paddlers with either whitewater kayaks or whitewater canoes are welcome. Ideally, students should be able to competently maneuver their craft in at least Class II whitewater. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills.
The minimum age for SWR is 14.
River site: Class II whitewater (Mulberry River, section dependent on water conditions)
Recommended references:
For students interested in learning more before or after the course, the American Canoe Association publishes excellent curriculum outlines for their river safety and rescue courses:
Goals of the SWR class:
HAVE FUN learning in a river environment
Learn to read the river — identify hazards, current features, and rescue-friendly terrain as you move downstream
Promote the concept of prevention and situational awareness for safe river trips
Practice defensive and aggressive swimming techniques for self-rescue
Develop throw bag and rope skills for shore-based rescue
Practice boat-based rescues for recovering people and equipment from moving water
Learn anchors and mechanical haul systems
Build teamwork and rescue decision-making through a capstone rescue scenario