Packraft Colorado: Learn Basic Packraft Paddling Skills on this Foundations Course With Thad
Schedule
Fri, 05 Jun, 2026 at 09:30 am to Sun, 07 Jun, 2026 at 04:30 pm
UTC-06:00Location
Santa Rita Park | Durango, CO
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Register today! We scheduled a new Level 1 course on the Animas River for 3 days, June 5-7! 1/2 price for locals in Montezuma and La Plata counties with head guide Thad Ferrell. Please email us for the discount code. All equipment except drysuits are included.What will you learn on this course? We will introduce you to your packrafting equipment, basic river reading and paddling skills, and basic swiftwater rescue skills.
This course is meant to introduce you to these skills, not to get you to master them. You’ll do more drills and hone these skills in our Level 2-4 courses.
Paddling & River Running Skills
✔Equipment (use and care + boat rigging, fit, and release of thigh straps)
✔Posture, safety, comfort, rocking and balance
✔Swimming and general water confidence
✔Dealing with currents
✔Aggressive & defensive swimming position
✔River hydrology/dynamics, features & hazards
✔Basic paddle strokes (forward, back, draw, sculling)
✔Using eddies
✔River communication: Paddle, hand, and whistle signals
✔Spacing on the river
✔The “River Safety Talk”
✔Field repair-tips & tricks
Swiftwater Safety: Handling common emergency situations on the river
✔Identify and demonstrate the use of appropriate rescue and safety gear for packrafting
✔Responsibilities of the group, rescuer, swimmers
✔Boat-based rescues
✔Group communication
✔Swimming in rivers & water confidence (aggressive & defensive swimming position)
✔Self-rescue & buddy assistance (wet re-entry)
✔River dynamics: currents, obstacles and hazards
✔Rescue priorities: people, craft, paddle, gear
✔Discuss how to avoid and prevent cold water shock, hypothermia, and hyperthermia by choosing proper clothing and recognizing and treating early symptoms.
https://fourcornersguides.com/events/packraft-colorado-beginner-course/
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Where is it happening?
Santa Rita Park, 149 S. Camino del Rio Durango, CO 81301,Durango, Colorado, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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