USA Raft Nolichucky Guide
Training
USA Raft on the Nolichucky River will be holding their core
raft guide training during a one week period in early May, 2008. The full training session will be
held on the Nolichucky. For more information visit the USA Raft’s
French Broad web site at www.usaraft.com/frenchbroad.htm
or e-mail them at info@mtnadventureguides.com.
Below is the course outline for the 2008 USA Raft training
program.
USA Raft Core Training Program
Course Outline
May, 2008
Day 1
Classroom: Introductions and welcome by management and trainers
Expectations for trainees, attendance, be on time, etc.
Customer expectations
At outpost: Trainees do boat inflation and boat loading with a
trainer
Go over gear to bring on all trips, GITs will load this
River: Nolichucky River 2 trips
First trip
At put in: GITs (guides-in-training) unload boats with a
trainer
On-river: GITs start guiding to show where they are
ability-wise
Lunch at outpost:
Brief classroom at lunch:
Terminology related to water reading
Reading water and hydrology
Boat maneuvering: Exaggeration of angles
Plan ahead, make moves early
2nd Trip:
At put-in: GITs (guides-in-training) unload boats with a
trainer
Demonstration of paddle strokes
Go over commands
Trainees do a guide intro
On River: Scout Quarter Mile
Focus on reading water
Focus on angels and timing
Quick Stop at Devil’s Creek, mini-demo on water reading
Post trip: GITs unload boats and store gear
Closing rounds
Day 2
At outpost: GITs inflate and loading boats
Classroom: Basic ferrying, angles relative to strength of
current
Back ferries and forward ferries
Why use ferries and when to use each type
River: Nolichucky River 1 trip
GITs guide
Below Last Chance, trainers demonstrate ferrying
Scout On the Rocks
Scout Quarter Mile again, discussion on how ferries used in
this rapid. At the scout - Plan A & B (and C)
Lunch on river above Roostertail
Classroom at lunch: Efficient use of angles
Demonstration of why ferries work
After Lunch: Scout Roostertail, run using efficient use of
angles
GITs practice forward ferries below Railroad Wall
Post trip: GITs unload boats and store gear
Classroom: Review of rapids and how to use ferries and
maneuvering techniques related to those rapids
Demonstrate high-siding and low-siding
Go over paddle signals, hand signals and whistles
Closing rounds
Day 3
At outpost: GITs inflate boats and load all gear
River: Nolichucky River 2 trips
1st trip -
On-river: GITs guide rapids without using their paddle
Practice of using crew with commands
Lunch at outpost
2nd trip -
On-river: More practice on ferries in rapids
Glenn work with part of the group on ferry angle 180 degree
drill
Post trip: GITs unload boats and store gear
Review of rapids and how to use ferries and maneuvering
techniques related to those rapids
Day 4
Classroom: Surfing
Eddy turns and peel outs
Self-Rescue and aggressive swimming
Demonstrate throwing throw bag
GITs practice throwing throw bags
River: Nolichucky River 1 Trip
At put-in Demonstrate flip drill.
GITs practice flip in flat water
Flip contest
On-river: Ferry angle 180 degree drill
Each GIT practices an eddy turn and a peel out
Aggressive swim practice at Dragon tail (small rapid
immediately below Quarter Mile)
Throw bag practice at Dragontail Rapid
Lunch on river above Loner Rapid
Flip a raft at Loner and practice righting it in a rapid
Surfing practice at Twin Eddies
Post trip: GITs unload boats and store gear
Review of rapids and how to use ferries and maneuvering
techniques related to those rapids
Classroom: Practice stabilization line with GITs
Hospitality training and customer service session
Closing rounds
Throw bag bucket drill
Day 5
Nolichucky River:
Possible two runs depending on water level and time
On-river 1st trip: 2/3rds of group takes duckies 1/3
takes R-1, switch around
Go over duckie set ups
Lunch at outpost
2nd trip time permitting - Focus on putting ferries
to use and being defensive on technical river. GITs run as if they
are guiding commercially.
If time practice surfing at Jaws.
Post trip: GITs store gear
Closing rounds
