Guide Training

May 9-11, 2008 (First Session)
May 16-18, 2008 (Second Session)

Rock Your Boat
During guide training, we recommend you “rock your boat.” You’ll be flipping rafts, saving swimmers, swimming rapids, giving commands and captaining your own boat over an intensive and very fun six day course.  The course meets Friday, Saturday and Sunday during two consecutive weekends (May 9-11 & May 16-18).

Why two weekends?
There’s a lot to cover, and we want you to get as much time behind the “stick” as possible.  In order to meet the minimum Washington State Guiding standards of fifty hours, the course runs for six days to give you full exposure to all aspects of river guiding.

Where?
The course will be conducted on the Clark Fork River in Montana, about 45 minutes west of Missoula and about 2.5 hours east of Spokane along I-90.  The access and opportunity on the Clark Fork River for guide trainees is unmatched anywhere else in our area.  We will meet each morning between 8:30 and 9:00 am and be done around 6:00 or 7:00 pm.

The Rafting Continues…
After these two weekends, you’ll be on your way to becoming a great guide.  But real skill only comes from years of practice.  So, after the course, we invite you to borrow our rafts during the summer and follow our commercial trips down the river.  We love rafting, and we want you to have as much opportunity to learn to raft as you can, which means we want you to get in our boats after the class and keep on rafting!

Cost
Space is limited, so call David Lawrence, the owner of Pangaea River Rafting, now to reserve your spot during guide training… 406.239.2392.
Both weekends include lunch, and camping if you wish to stay the night at our ranch in Montana.  Wetsuits, river booties and life jackets and all river gear is free!
Six Day Guide Training Course and Certificate of Completion $350

RCW Standards (Where the Rubber meets the Water!)
We follow Washington’s strict guide training standards which you can review at this link: RCW 79A.60.430(2)

The course will cover the following
· fifty hours on a whitewater river
· equipment preparation and boat rigging,
· reading river characteristics including currents, eddies, rapids, and hazards
· methods of scouting and running rapids
· river rescue techniques, including emergency procedures and equipment recovery
· communicating with clients, including paddling and safety instruction.
· paddling strokes and techniques
· rowing strokes and technique
· boat design and boat/river interaction
· swimming rapids
· rescuing swimmers
· risk management
 

Space is Limited, Call or Book Now!

There's a reason Pangaea is #1
Our trips are very popular, so call, email or book online soon. Call now for more information, to book your trip, discuss pricing or speak to a free trip planner to help you pick the right trip for you and your family 406-239-2392.

If you plan on captaining your own raft
or working as a "professional" raft guide, you need to take Pangaea's formal Guide Training Course. Whether you decide to ever raft professionally or not, eventually you will take others down the river. When you do, you will be that trip's "GUIDE." You will be responsible for everyone's safety, which means you will not only need to know how to read the river, but also how to handle never ever's on the river and how to save yourself and your passengers if anything should go wrong.

Pangaea River Rafting will teach you everything you need to get started rafting safely.
We say "get started" because true ability comes only with experience. We will help you get that experience and show you how to continue acquiring the necessary experience - proper river selection, gear selection, translating river flows, river hydrology and scouting.

Pangaea's Guide Training and River Safety Class exceeds Washington State's Whitewater Guide Requirements.
After completing our full 50 hour guide training class, you will receive a certificate of completion and an evaluation that will serve as your legal verification of meeting strict guide training standards!

Your 50 hour Guide Training Course with Pangaea River Rafting will exceed these requirements and prepare you for a life time of fun on the river!

Itinerary

Day 1

• Meet Time
  9:00 am (Mountain Time)
  
• Day One Curriculum
  
  • Meet Your Guides
    
  • Meet Your Gear
    
  • Learn Paddle Strokes
    
  • Raft the Clark Fork River
    
  • Scouting Rapids 101
    • Secure boat Rescue Gear Upriver/downriver safety
    • Understanding shoreline dangers
      
  • Risk Management Practices 101
  • gear inspection crew education/training
  • know your skill level
    
  • Paddle Captaining 101
    • paddle commands body position
    • crew management

Day 2

• Meet Time
  9:00 am (Mountain Time)
  
• Day Two Curriculum
  
  • .
  Prepare rafts and gear for the day
  
  
  • Written Test (paddle strokes, boat parts, what to be aware of when scouting a rapid)  
    
  • Review Paddle Strokes
    
  • Elements of a Safety Talk 
    
  • River Hydrology 101
    
    • identifying river features
      
  • Raft the Clark Fork River Scouting Rapids 101 cont.
    
    • Route finding Identifying River Features
    • Best case/worse case
      
  • Risk Management Practices 101 cont.
    
    • Saving Swimmers
    • Aggressive Swimming Techniques
      
  • Paddle Captaining 101 cont
    
    • practice guide strokes reading water
    • using crew effectively
      

Day 3

• Meet Time
  9:00 am (Mountain Time)
  
• Day Three Curriculum
  
  • Prepare rafts and gear for the day
    
  • Written Test (paddle strokes, boat parts, what to be aware of when scouting a rapid, river hydrology, safety talk elements, gear inspection)
      
  • Review Paddle Strokes
    
  • Participants give Safety Talk
     
  • .
  River Hydrology 101
  
  
  • Review River Features
    
  • Hydrology Consequences
    
  • Raft the Clark Fork River Scouting Rapids 101 cont.
    
    • Route finding Identifying River Features
    • Best case/worse case
      
  • Risk Management Practices 101 cont.
    
    • Flipping rafts
    • Swimming rapids
      
  • Paddle Captaining 101 cont
    
    • practice guide strokes reading water
    • using crew effectively

Day 4

• Meet Time
  9:00 am (Mountain Time)
  
• Day Four Curriculum
  
  • Prepare rafts and gear for the day
    
  • Written Test (paddle strokes, boat parts, what to be aware of when scouting a rapid, river hydrology, safety talk elements, gear inspection, personal gear) 
    
  • Review Paddle Stroke
    
  • Throw bag practice
    
  • Participants give Safety Talk
    
  • Raft the Clark Fork River
    
    • Review from last week
      
  • Flipping rafts
    
  • Swimming rapids
    
  • Crossing moving water
    
  • Paddle Captaining 101 cont
    
    • practice guide strokes
    • reading water
    • using crew effectively

Day 5

• Meet Time
  9:00 am (Mountain Time)
  
• Day Five Curriculum
  
  • Prepare rafts and gear for the day
    
  • Written Test (paddle strokes, boat parts, what to be aware of when scouting a rapid, river hydrology, safety talk elements, gear inspection, personal gear)
    
  • Review Paddle Stroke
    
  • Throw bag practice
    
  • Participants give Safety Talk
    
  • Raft the Clark Fork River
    
  • Raft games
    
  • Emergency/evacuation procedures
    
  • Paddle Captaining 101 cont
    
    • practice guide strokes
    • reading water
    • guiding without crew

Day 6

• Meet Time
  9:00 am (Mountain Time)
  
• Day Six Curriculum
  
  • Prepare rafts and gear for the day
    
  • Written Test (paddle strokes, boat parts, what to be aware of when scouting a rapid, river hydrology, safety talk elements, gear inspection, personal gear
    
  • Participants give Safety Talk
    
  • Raft the Clark Fork River
    
  • Participants lead trip
    
  • Debrief
    
  • Certification of completion

Your Money Back, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!
You have nothing to lose when you raft with Pangaea. Pangaea guarantees your rafting trip 100% or your money back. No other company in the area guarantees your fun but Pangaea River Rafting. Your vacation time is precious, don't risk it to shave a few dollars. Check below for discounts.

Discounts!

• 10% OFF: six to twelve people (save up to $8.00 per person!)
• 15% OFF: thirteen to eighteen people (save up to $12.00 per person!)
• 20% OFF: nineteen or more people (save up to $16.00 per person!)
• 10% OFF: AAA Show Your Card and Save (save up to $8.00 per person!)

Cost

• $350 per person

Meet Time
9:00 am (Mountain Time)

Remember
The time change between Spokane, Washington and/or Coeur d' Alene, Idaho if you're meeting in Montana.

End Time
Expect to be done and back to your vehicle between 3:30 - 4:30 (Montana time) depending on water levels and group size.

Cancellation Policy
You can cancel or change your reservation two weeks before your trip. Within two weeks you are responsible for 100% of the total cost. We raft rain or shine.

Lunch is Provided
But please eat a good breakfast. Lunch is usually served around 1pm. Please bring along plenty of snacks to munch on during the day.

What Pangaea Provides for FREE!

• River Shoes (if needed)
• Wet Suits (if needed)
• Helmets (upon request)
• State-of-the-art, self bailing rafts
• Life Guard approved type IV life jackets
• World famous guides
• Transportation to and from the river from our ranch
• FREE cold and spirited libations after the trip.
  
  

Pangaea Sells

• Waterproof Cameras ($12)
• Professional photographer shooting 15 frames per second of you running the rapids (Action CD, 15+ pictures $55) on the Clark Fork River whitewater trip only.
• Sun Block ($4)
• Straps for Your Sunglasses ($3)
• "Leave Boring Behind" tee shirts ($20)
  
  

Transportation

Leave the Rest to Us!
After you arrive at the Pangaea Ranch, the rest of the driving is left to us. Pangaea River Rafting will drive you to the river and back to your car parked safely at our ranch after the trip is over. The best part... the river shuttle is absolutely FREE!

Is This Trip Right For You?

Pick the Right Trip
The Clark Fork River is almost always the perfect trip for everyone looking to have a little excitement and a whole lot of fun! However, if you're not sure if this rafting trip is for you, please give Pangaea River Rafting a call right now at 406-239-2392 and our professionally trained trip planner will help advise you on the trip that's perfect for your needs and expectations. We love to help, so call now 406-239-2392.  Or email our trip planner, and he will contact you immediately: pickatrip@leaveboringbehind.com

Invite a Friend!
Unexpected friends or family want to join the trip? No problem, just call Pangaea River Rafting as soon as you can so we can make the appropriate arrangements and apply your group discount: 406-239-2392.

"World Famous" Guides! 
Your guide is equal parts river expert, comedian, historian and group leader. He or she will show you the secrets of the river, those special places that the other guides don't know. Your trip will end with big smiles, big hugs and big fun!  Highly trained and extremely fun!  To meet your guides follow this link: Meet Your Guides.  Or call now to find out why Pangaea River Rafting's guides are world famous! 406-239-2392.

Recommended Gear List

What to bring

• Shoes or sandals that can get wet and stay on.
  
• dry clothes to change into after the trip and towel
  
• sun block
  
• hat
  
• sunglasses
  
• raincoat/windbreaker
  
• swimsuit or clothes that can get wet (avoid cotton) if you plan to swim, synthetic materials work the best (rayon, nylon, spandex, etc.
  
• camping equipment if you want to stay the night
  
• lots of extra, dry clothing
  
• plenty of snacks
  
• breakfast and dinner

Hours of Operation

Open 7 Days a Week!

• 8 am to 8 pm
  
• Conveniently Located Near Coeur d' Alene, Idaho / Missoula, Montana / Spokane, Washington
  
• Trips Available for all Ages!
  
• All you can eat lunches, wet suits, booties and shuttle provided!
  
• Great Price, Exceptional Quality, First Class Service!
  
• "Number 1 in Safety / Number 1 in Fun!"

How to Get Here

Directions From Spokane, Washington or Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

From Spokane it's an easy 2.5 hrs, 70% of our customers come from Spokane! From Coeur d' Alene it's a quick 2 hrs, along I-90!  Enjoy Idaho, discover Montana!

1. GPS Coordinates 47° 3'1.15"N / 114°41'52.03"W
2. I-90 east into Montana 
3. Take Exit #61 Tarkio (61 miles into Montana pass Superior)
4. Left off exit
5. Drive 3/4 mile and make first right on pavement beside the "Fold of the Messiah" sign onto S. Fork Nemote Creek Rd
6. Drive 2.5 miles to the end of the road, ranch is on the right.
   
   DON'T FORGET THE TIME CHANGE BETWEEN WASHINGTON/IDAHO AND MONTANA!
   
   

Directions From Missoula, Montana

From Missoula, it's a 45 minutes from downtown Missoula.

1. GPS Coordinates 47° 3'1.15"N / 114°41'52.03"W
2. I-90 west to Superior
3. Take Exit #61 Tarkio (after the Alberton exit)
4. Right off exit
5. Drive 3/4 mile and make first right on pavement beside the "Fold of the Messiah" sign onto S. Fork Nemote Creek Rd
6. Drive 2.5 miles to the end of the road, ranch is on the right before gravel.
   

Accommodations

Montana – Camping

• Big Pine Campground: our favorite campground, free, no water, pit toilets, beside the beautiful, crystal clear Fish Creek, no reservations. http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_280533.aspx
  
  
• Trout Creek Campground: more facilities, beautiful, managed by Forest Service, reservations accepted. http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/117135.html
  
  
• The River Edge Resort: You can book accommodations in one of 10 theme decorated rooms in our motel, or if you love to camp reserve your spot in our RV Park/Campground. Enjoy your meals in our Steakhouse with an exceptional view of the breathtaking scenery and Clark Fork River. (406) 722-3375 http://www.riveredge.cc/
  
  

Montana - Hotels

• The Ghost Rails B&B: 30 Minutes West of Missoula, Montana in Alberton, Montana 406-722-4990 / 888-271-9317. Serves breakfast, very clean and nice. http://www.ghostrailsinn.com/
  
  
• Quinn’s Hot Spring Resort: hot springs, a great restaurant, beautifully situated on the Clark Fork River. (888) 646-9287 (406) 826-3150 190 Quinn's Canyon Road Route 135, Paradise, Montana 59856 http://www.quinnshotsprings.com/site/index.php
  
  
• The River Edge Resort: You can book accommodations in one of 10 theme decorated rooms in our motel, or if you love to camp reserve your spot in our RV Park/Campground. Enjoy your meals in our Steakhouse with an exceptional view of the breathtaking scenery and Clark Fork River. http://www.riveredge.cc/
  
  

Spokane – Camping

• Riverside State Park: our favorite campground in Spokane with full amenities and RV hook-ups. 1-888-226-7688 http://www.parks.wa.gov/
  
  

Spokane - Hotels

• Peppertree Hotel: http://www.peppertreespokane.com
  3711 S Geiger Blvd / Spokane, WA 99224 / (509) 624-4655
  
  
• Davenport Hotel: http://www.thedavenporthotel.com
  10 South Post Street / Spokane, WA 99201-3903 (800) 899-1482
  
  
• Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com
  801 N Division St / Spokane, WA 99202 / (509) 325-9842
  
  
• The Madison Inn: http://www.riverstone-inns.com/
  by Riverstone Inns 15 West Rockwood Blvd Spokane, WA  99204
  

Helpful Clark Fork River Links

River Flows
Clark Fork River Flows please click here

River Map
Clark Fork River Map please click here

River Regulations
Montana FWP Clark Fork River Recreation Information please click here

Interactive City Map of Missoula, Montana
Missoula Discovery Map please click here

Interactive City Map of Spokane, Washington
Spokane CVB Interactive City Map please click here