Navigating New Currents: Whitewater Rescue Institute in India

In November 2024, WRI Instructors Ben Schmidt and Sam Johnston travelled to Northwestern India to teach swiftwater rescue and instructor practices to river guides for Aquaterra Adventures. They were excited to share our swift water rescue curriculum with Aquaterra’s  talented guides on the picturesque banks of the Ganga.  Aquaterra Adventures is widely recognized as a leader in the outdoor industry with an incredible variety of single day and overnight river and trekking expeditions through  this incredible country. Treated like family, Sam & Ben experienced exceptional hospitality during ten days of running the river, soaking in the scenery, and swiftwater rescue training. The journey didn’t end there-they ventured eastward to the Brahmaputra River, where world-class whitewater and incredible people awaited. Sam shared his notes below.

The Adventure Begins-Sam Johnston, WRI

Our journey began with a flight from Missoula to Dehradun and its vibrant tapestry of life—bustling markets brimming with colorful textiles, the cacophony of honking horns, and livestock navigating the streets. From there, we traveled north past Rishikesh to Atali Ganga, the headquarters of Aquaterra Adventures.

Nestled in the Valley of the Ganga, the basecamp overlooks the sacred swirling turquoise river. The sheer scale of the world around us was overwhelming. Towering trees hosted hand-sized orb weaver spiders in their branches, while monkeys darted along the stone paths, giveing us curious yet cautious glances. It felt as though we had reached the heart of the world.

Sharing Knowledge on the Ganga

Our days at Aquaterra were filled with robust training sessions and insightful exchanges. Together with their guides, we shared techniques and strategies for swift water rescue, fostering a spirit of collaboration toward the shared goal of making these skills more accessible for river professionals in India. We reviewed equipment and emphasized universal river risk management principals such as upstream and downstream safety and emergency plans. We practiced teaching essential skills of aggressive and defensive swimming, rescue swimming techniques, throwbags, inflow rescue situations, and much more. The students’ passion to learn and master these techniques was truly inspiring. Most of these guides grew up near or on a tributary of the Ganga. Their knowledge, river skills and experience were impressive and humbling. It stands to figure that guides who grow up near the biggest mountains in the world and running some of the biggest whitewater in the world develop some world class skills. By the end of our time on the Ganga, we felt confident that the guides were ready to incorporate WRI’s curriculum and approach to pass it on to local guides and enthusiasts.

Each evening, we gathered around a fire with the Aquaterra team, sharing meals and stories. The tales often centered on the Brahmaputra River, which this team had first run 22 years ago. Their eyes lit up as they described the rapids, the locals, and the journey to the put-in, and their animated gestures conveyed the magnitude of the experience. It was in these moments that I realized how fortunate I was to share this adventure with such remarkable people.

The Grand Brahmaputra Expedition

In what felt like the blink of an eye, our rescue training on the Ganga ended, and we set our sights on the grand Brahmaputra River—a renowned challenge for any whitewater enthusiast. We spent a night in New Delhi with Aquaterra’s owner, Vaibhav Kala, before flying to Dibrugarh. Vaibhav’s assistance was invaluable; without him and his team, navigating India’s logistics would have been a daunting task. From scheduling flights to arranging taxis and even advising us on foods to avoid “Delhi belly,” their support was indispensable.

From Dibrugarh, we embarked on a two-day drive into the heart of Arunachal Pradesh Province, where we met the incredible individuals joining us on the Brahmaputra. Each person deserved their own biopic, with stories as compelling as the rapids we were about to face.

Conquering the Rapids

Words can hardly do justice to the rapids of the Brahmaputra. Ben and I joined others in Rana G’s boat—a seasoned leader who had completed this expedition 23 times. The rapids featured waves with 30-foot faces, bus-sized laterals, and speeds of 20 miles per hour, according to my Garmin watch. Rana’s commanding voice echoed through the roar of the river: “Hard forward!” Paddling through these massive rapids felt like an endurance test, demanding every ounce of strength as we plunged into wave after wave.

Campsites were vast sand beaches framed by the jungle. Some days, locals scoured the riverside for large brown beetles prized for their unique flavor. Evenings were spent around driftwood fires, sharing stories and engaging in fiercely competitive games of Uno. It was during these moments that I fell in love with this part of the world. The raw power of the river, the camaraderie ofthe people, and the immersion in nature left an indelible mark on me.

Reflections on the Journey

This trip to India was more than a professional endeavor; it was a transformative experience that deepened my appreciation for the rich tapestry of cultures and environments that make our world so diverse. The resilience of the rivers and the vibrant spirit of the people we met along the way left a lasting impression. At the Brahmaputra’s takeout, I realized that river-running isn’t about conquering the river itself. Instead, it’s about conquering something within yourself—be it fear or something more mysterious. Both Ben and I emerged from this journey changed, thanks to the guidance and support of Aquaterra Adventures.

As I reflect on this incredible journey, I am reminded of our responsibility as stewards of wild places—to share knowledge, promote safety, and inspire others to connect meaningfully with nature. Our adventure with Aquaterra Adventures reinforced a fundamental truth: within each rapid and every river bend lies a story waiting to be told.