River Guide School

Join an immersive and supportive training designed to teach you the foundations of becoming a professional commercial whitewater raft guide on the renowned Trinity River. This comprehensive course blends outdoor classroom sessions with extensive hands on practice on the river, along with essential rope skills taught on land. By the end of the program, you will have the practical knowledge and confidence to apply for guiding positions or safely lead your own trips with friends and family. Instruction covers preparing and rigging a raft, paddle steering techniques often called stick guiding, and effectively using your crew to navigate rapids. You will learn to identify and avoid river obstacles, understand features such as holes and eddies, read currents and flow, choose strong lines through rapids, recover from rocks, swim rapids safely, flip an overturned raft, communicate with hand signals, deliver safety talks, prepare river style lunches, and properly use a rescue bag.

Training takes place primarily on the exciting Pigeon Point section near Junction City and may include more advanced whitewater depending on river conditions. Camping and parking are available onsite at Six Rivers Rafting, with additional camping provided at Skunk Point Group Campsite for the duration of the course. Lunch is included each day, and all necessary rafting equipment is supplied. With a low student to instructor ratio, participants receive attentive guidance in a noncompetitive and welcoming environment. This is an inclusive community experience where teamwork, respect, and positive collaboration are essential throughout the program.