With Lee Baker
Course Work: Saturday, July 13 - Sunday, July 14
Pre-course orientation and welcome campfire: 9 pm on Friday, July 12
This ACA Swiftwater Rescue Level 4 course is offered in collaboration with Lee Baker of Gradient River Essentials LLC. In this course participants will learn the fundamentals of rescue.
This course is highly interactive and is designed to challenge all levels of whitewater enthusiasts. It is appropriate for beginning to advanced canoeists, kayakers and IKers. The course will be less relevant to rafters as the scenarios we practice will be with smaller craft.
As you prepare, keep in mind that the Middle Fork Willamette stays quite cold in the summer (dam release). As does Salmon Creek, which has it's headwaters from Waldo Lake. I'm planning to wear a dry suit for the on/in water training. Wetsuits are also an option.
There will be follow up information as we get closer to the course. Please reach out with any questions you may have: gradientriveressentials@gmail.com
Course Overview: This course teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed on personal and group safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments and pins, also are covered. This course is aimed at whitewater private boaters interested in learning fundamental river rescue skills. In addition to a common SW L4 Curriculum, this unique course includes kayak and canoe specific rescue techniques and tricks! Kayakers need to be comfortable navigating class 2+ rapids. Skills are often scaffolded to allow a new rescuer to focus on fundamentals and an advanced rescuer to push themselves.
When: The coursework will occur on Saturday, July 13th and Sunday, July 14th, plus a Friday night orientation. The pre-course orientation and welcome campfire at ~9 pm on Friday, July 12th is not required, but it is highly recommended. On Saturday we’ll start early and go late. You’ll want to have your camp established and be well rested at the start. Some club members will arrive days early to explore local whitewater offerings that are normally out of our range. The earlier you arrive the more time you’ll have to get acquainted with your fellow club members.
We will have “classroom”, dry-land skills, practicums, on-water scenarios and debriefs. Be prepared to travel down river to practice rescue skills. Kayaks, IKs and Canoes are good for these sections and flows. Skills will include ACA Swiftwater Rescue Level 4 curriculum, including specific kayak/canoe rescue skills.
Where: This course will take place on the Middle Fork Willamette River. We’ll camp at Black Canyon Campground (group sites 45-49 have already reserved). Black Canyon Campground is located about 8 miles east of Oakridge on Hwy 58. The group sites offer plenty of parking and space for us to spread out. We can park inside the loop anywhere. Please keep wheels generally on the rock or pavement.
Meals (Food/Water): You’ll be on your own for meals. Please bring ALL your food and water for this weekend. Days will require lots of calories and we will intentionally take breaks to hydrate and fuel. In a pinch the nearest grocery store is in Oakridge approx. 15 minutes away. During the day there won’t be time in the agenda to make a trip. However, in the evening there is time if needed.
Course Size: We can accommodate up to 18 participants.
Cost: $160 per person. You must be an LCCC member to participate.
Personal Equipment:
Must have:
-Type 3 PFD designed for whitewater use
-Whitewater helmet
-Protective clothing suitable for extended swimming in cold water
*Drysuit or Wetsuit for our location/time of year.
-Protective footwear
-Throw rope (I have several to try out)
-Whistle
-A kayak or Canoe
Ideally bring: (I have lots of gear available for you to use as well)
-River knife
-Type 5 Rescue PFD with a quick release system.
-(4) locking carabiners
-(3) pulleys
-(2) prusik loops.
-(1)15+ feet of one inch tubular nylon webbing
*If you are lacking any of this equipment, let me know and we can likely come up with a way for you to access it to ensure a great experience.
Other gear we will become familiar with, but not mandatory for course.
-Rescue PFD-with breakaway system
-Cow-tails
-River knife
