On Wednesday the 29th of April, Missoula City Fire Department conducted their spring swiftwater refresher. Montana River Guides owner and WRI Instructor Mike Johnston coordinated the course. MRG guide Tommy Snyder, and Search and Rescue volunteers Elise Lowe and Becca Wallace came out to help make this a great day of training. Thanks guys! The firefighters got a chance to dust off their swiftwater...
On April 9-11, the Whitewater Rescue Institute taught a course on the Falls River of Idaho. Brigham Young University Outdoor Program and guides from Jackson, Wyoming's Solitude Raft Company attended. Below students describe their experience. Thanks to the everyone for making it such a great class!...
On February 25-27, the Whitewater Rescue Institute held a course on the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. Partnered with Aerie Backcountry Medicine and Coast to Coast Adventures, this course provided students with an exotic, exciting and warm environment to learn the fundamentals of river rescue. Below is a brief video of the course....
Branden Stevens, a former swiftwater student, was involved in a dramatic rescue on the Tounge River this winter. His efforts in the ice covered river saved the life of the occupant of this car. Branden said "I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE TRAINING THAT YOU PROVIDED! Without it, the patient would have died for sure, we had no water rescue training prior to me attending your course in ...
This December the Whitewater Rescue Institute had the opportunity to speak with filmmaker and river legend, Kent Ford. Kent talked about the making of his video "Whitewater Self Defense," and gave us some tips on how to stay safe on the river. You can purchase Kent's video at the WRI store at www.whitewaterrescue.com or visit Performance Video at www.performancevideo.com. Enjoy the interview...
Here is a great video on the history of whitewater kayaking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEy0HoEZ9M4...
ABC news profiled this Swiftwater Rescue that took place just outside of Washington D.C. Cabin John Swiftwater Rescue...
We are looking forward to our February course in Costa Rica. Aerie Backcountry Medicine and the Whitewater Rescue Institute are teaming up to offer a unique course combining wilderness first aid and swiftwater rescue. Nestled deep in the Pacuare River gorge is "El Nido del Tigre," the site of our Feb. 25-27 course. This beautiful location offers our students the opportunity to wake to the soun...
By now the flowers have wilted, and perhaps, floated away—downstream—mingling with the rocks and sand of the high Rockies. They were temporary, not meant to last. We put them there to remember Justin. We had walked up river, from Radium, not twenty-four hours after Justin had been there. Not twenty-four hours after Justin had left that place, and the world. The three of us walked in silence...
“Whether you are a river-rookie or an experienced boater, WRI tailors their classes to what you need to learn in a fun and challenging environment. Their scenario based teaching approach creates an electric learning atmosphere where you feel like you are in actual river rescue situations. I would recommend them to anybody!”
