The Whitewater Rescue Institute is based on the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers in Missoula, Montana. While most of our swiftwater rescue and technical rescue courses are taught throughout the northwest, we teach all over the United States and internationally as well.

Our courses have been developed over years of teaching and working in the outdoor and rescue industry. Each course, whether it is rope rescue, ice rescue, boat operations or swiftwater rescue is a mixture of lecture, skill stations and scenarios.  Whenever possible, our instructors err on the side of hands on practice over discussion.  This gives our students real experience with the skills that will keep them and their team safe.

All of our instructors are leaders in the outdoors and have years of experience keeping groups safe. They can draw on this real world experience to provide students with practical and useful skills in rescue.

We routinely work with the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Military, Conservation Corps, Search and Rescue Teams, Fire Departments.  In addition our team has worked on numerous film productions keeping the cast and crew safe in a multitude of environments.

As a leader in the rescue industry, we know that it is our duty to constantly review and revise our curriculum to keep it relevant and on the cutting edge.  If you are looking for a class taught by true professionals who know and care about safety, then WRI is the natural choice.

We love the river. We love the outdoors. And we know that safety is the key to enjoying them.