Whitewater Rescue

Certification

Whitewater Rescue Technician (Jackpine Paddle)

What's covered?

  • Hands-on practice in a dynamic learning environment
  • Enhanced knowledge of river hazards and how to work with the water
  • Proficiency in swimming, wading, and rope throwing techniques for river navigation and rescue
  • Expertise in knots, anchors, and rope systems for equipment recovery and transportation
  • Skills to execute effective rescues with limited resources
  • Understanding of general concepts of whitewater and swiftwater rescue
  • River safety and scene management
  • River signals and communications
  • River features and hydrology
  • Related medical topics: drowning and hypothermia
  • Swimming in moving water: self rescue and whitewater maneuvers
  • Throw ropes and contact rescues
  • Introduction to quick release rescue harness and ‘live bait’ rescue
  • Rescue of panicked subjects
  • Shallow water crossings
  • Knots, anchors, and basic tensioning systems
  • Foot entrapment and kayak, canoe, and raft pins and wraps
  • Managing flips and swims
  • Rescue simulations

Please note this is an 16-hour course, run over 2 full days. The course will run over the full day on both June 16 & June 19, from 9am to 5pm each day.

 

Cost: $525 + 5% gst per person

Master Whitewater Rescue Skills

Join us for an intensive Whitewater Rescue course designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe river running and rescue operations. This course provides hands-on practice in real-world scenarios, covering everything from self-rescue to advanced rope systems.

This course is inspired by the techniques used by industry professionals on northern wilderness rivers.

For paddlers are seeking to upgrade their paddling skills on moving water, you can learn more about our whitewater canoeing course here!

Inquire about a custom course date for groups of 6 or more.

Available Dates

June 16 & 19

9am - 5pm

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Included?

All equipment such as a lifejacket, whitewater helmet, throw bags, technical whitewater safety gear is included. Participants are welcome to bring their own equipment if they prefer.

It is recommended that participants have thermal protection (drysuit or wetsuit) for comfort when practicing rescues on this course. Drysuits are available for $85 CAD + GST per participant.

What is your Booking and Cancellation Policy?

If you are unable to attend and you can send someone in your place, we can transfer your spot free of charge.

Cancellations with more than 30 days notice, 75% refund.

Cancellations with less than 21 days notice, 50% refund.

Cancellations within 14 days of the course cannot be refunded.

Please read carefully: Should your paddling course have to be cancelled, postponed or altered by a force majeure (including but not limited to: weather, poor visibility, or mechanical breakdown causing delayed or cancelled charter flights or helicopter journeys, fire, flood, pandemic, highway closures, community evacuations, ongoing or newly introduced travel ban or government statement), Jackpine Paddle and its partner operators are not obligated to provide a refund or offer alternative travel services.

What is the course location?

Tartan rapids. We’ll meet at Cassidy Point, about 20 mins driving from Yellowknife.

Each day of the course,  we’ll paddle 2km to Tartan rapids (on the Yellowknife River system). Canoes, paddles and lifejackets will be provided to paddle over to tartan rapids,
but participants are welcome to bring their own canoes/kayaks.

Please Note

The minimum age for unaccompanied minors in our courses is 16. Participants under the age of 16 are welcome to register if joined by a parent or guardian. Participants must be able to swim 50 m with a lifejacket but no previous paddling experience is required.

© All rights reserved. Site by Armadillo