Activity Type
Packrafting & Inflatable Kayaking
Whitewater Kayaking
Location
South Fork American River California
Classification
II, III, IV
Duration
1 Day
2026 Dates
July 19
August 2
Overview
NEW FOR 2026! This hands-on course teaches the art of trip planning, risk management, and group leadership—on and off the water. Participants gain skills in river trip planning, communication systems, emergency planning, and understanding group dynamics in diverse paddling environments. Whether you’re guiding friends, coaching a community program, or preparing for professional leadership roles, you’ll leave ready to plan efficient trips, make sound decisions, and foster positive team experiences on the river.
This course is designed for paddlers ready to lead day trips and multi-day expeditions, combining strong technical skills with group management, risk mitigation, and logistics. Participants will learn how to design detailed trip plans, coordinate gear, transportation and shuttles, and lead diverse groups while maintaining safety, cohesion, and positive dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on decision making, communication strategies, group roles (lead boat, sweep boat, buddy teams), and the fine points of supporting first-time or underserved participants. Leadership practice includes scenario planning, trip preparation, adaptive strategies for varying skill levels, and incorporating stewardship ethics into all stages of a trip.
In this workshop we’ll cover
Develop a full expedition plan including put-in/take-out logistics, shuttle logistics, and contingency routes.
Screen and assess participant skill levels, physical ability, group compatibility, and special needs (adaptive paddlers, novice participants, etc.).
Apply group-dynamics techniques to promote cooperation, minimize conflict, and ensure that all participants feel engaged and supported.
Establish communication protocols (hand signals, radios/phones, buddy/rescue pairs) and emergency response planning.
Lead on-water group formations, anticipate hazards, make turnaround/cancel decisions, and manage incidents.
Embed ethics of stewardship (AIS prevention, habitat awareness, Leave No Trace) into group leadership.
Additional Details
On-water vs classroom: ~60-70% on-water instruction, remainder classroom/planning work
Prerequisites: Minimum experience paddling in class II or higher, ability to perform self & assisted rescues, familiarity with basic boat control and hazard recognition. We highly recommend taking our Practical Safety & Rescue Skills Workshop or Swiftwater Rescue prior to this class.
If you are unsure of which clinic you should sign up for, please read through our Paddling Skill Level Self-Assessment.
All Prices are per person and subject to an 8% fee (Government use and booking fees.) Students under 18 years of age please contact us BEFORE REGISTERING for prior approval. Camping is available at our site on the river for an additional cost. Tent and camping gear rental available. Please review our cancellation policy PRIOR to booking. We understand things happen, so we highly recommend purchasing trip insurance. Contact us at info@cwwcollective.com for policy details and options