Level 3: Intermediate River Runners

This program will take boaters who are confident Class II river runners and develop them into solid Class III boaters. Groups will be smaller in Level 3 in order to provide more personal attention.

Safety: Level 3 boaters will start to learn the basics of swift water rescue. We will learn about safety gear and how to use it, including ropes, carabiners, pulleys, and prussiks. Students will learn ropework including taglines, zip lines, and z-drags. They will learn and practice rescuing pinned boats and swimmers. We will continue to work on dealing with hazards such as holes, rocks, and logs.

Leadership: Students will learn to take charge of a rescue situation and lead the group through a safe and effective rescue. On-river communication and organization: We will teach more advanced hand signals and river running strategies such as eddy hopping. Scouting rapids and setting up safety will be emphasized more in Level 3. Paddling Skills: We will improve more on the basics and learn more advanced techniques such as draw strokes, skulling strokes, and advanced edge control. On the river we will learn dynamic, carving eddy turns and peel outs as well as jet ferries and basic boofing skills.

Surfing: We will continue to learn how to surf waves and introduce hole surfing. Students will learn basic side surfing techniques and also how to surf their way out of holes.

Level 4: Basic Playboating This program will focus on surfing waves and holes and learning tricks. Students will learn basic freestyle moves such as 360s, flat spins, squirting, and cartwheels. During the winter pool sessions we will work on flatwater freestyle moves. Boaters in this program will have the opportunity to compete in freestyle events if they wish.

Level 5: Freestyle Team This program will develop the freestyle skills learned in level 4. Boaters will master basic freestyle moves and learn more advanced tricks. The Freestyle Team will compete in Colorado junior freestyle competitions. While competitions are individual, the team will travel together to support each other. Level 5 boaters will also help to teach younger and less experienced students and act as role models for them. Parents will be encouraged to be involved with logistics.

Level 5: Adventure River Running Crew This program is for boaters that don't want to compete with the freestyle team, but want to travel to new rivers around Colorado. Level 5 will develop boaters into solid class III and IV boaters. Students will learn advanced swiftwater rescue skills and advanced river running strategy. They will develop their paddling skills to an advanced level and learn to become leaders on the river. Level 5 students will be encouraged to help teach younger kids and become role models for them. We will also teach advanced freestyle skills in this program, but competing will not be required. Parents are encouraged to be involved with logistics.