Packrafting Course
Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course
This course provides instruction on how to navigate and safely paddle down Class II rivers. Topics covered include river navigation, reading rapids, paddling strokes and maneuvers, self and partner rescue, sequencing and boat spacing.
Contacts
- Mon, Jan 19, 2026 - Sat, Aug 1, 2026
- Committee: Seattle Packrafting Committee
- Members: $450.00 Guests: $550.00
- Availability: 10 (10 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
ACTIVITIES
- An evening lecture to review gear requirements and provide a course overview
- An evening lecture to discuss paddling technique
- An evening lecture to introduce river hazards and techniques to avoid them
- One field trip to practice river swimming and safety
- Two field trips on Class II rivers
- One experience trip post course to deepen skills (separate from the course itself)
Participation on all field trips and lectures are required of all students. All field trip locations are subject to change based on river flows and weather conditions, but we will endeavor to stick to these dates.
Students who have successfully participated on all activities associated with the course, and have demonstrated proficiency in the skills checklist, will earn the Basic Whitewater Course Badge.
Application
In order to register for this course, prospective students must complete and submit the Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course Application - linked to the right and here as well. After review by the course administrator, students will be offered a chance to register for the course.
Boat Rentals
The Seattle Packrafting Committee has a small fleet of gear that is available for rentals on a limited basis.
-
For students registered in a course: $200 rental fee for 2 months, plus $200 refundable damage deposit.
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Rental Kit includes a boat, paddle, and accessories. See Packrafting Kit - Student Rental merchandise page for more details.
- Drysuits are an additional rental, but we can suggest local rental options.
SKILLS
river Swimming
- Execute a flat jump into whitewater
- Swim down a class II rapid in the safety position
- Transition into an aggressive swim, catch an eddy
- Exit a river in a seal crawl
- Ferry swim across a class II river
- Aggressive swim to a rope and hold in the position for rescue
BOAT RIGGING AND GEAR KNOWLEDGE
- Packraft inflation, rigging, deflation and care
- Drysuit and other things you wear and their use and care
- Perform a mock boat repair
SELF RESCUE SKILLS
- Re-enter a stabilized boat in deep water
- Swim 50 feet (15m) with a paddle in a class II current
- Self-reentry from deep water in 90 seconds
- Capsize while holding on to paddle and boat
PARTNER RESCUE
- Stabilize a swimmer's boat while they reenter
- Tow a swimmer 30ft (10m) to their boat
- Right a capsized boat and boat bump 30ft (10m) to a swimmer
- Paddle with two paddles 50ft (15m)
- Throw a rope to a swimmer and belay them to shore
PADDLING SKILLS
- Launch into current
- Back-ferry across a class II current
- Downstream ferry through a boulder garden
- Catch and exit from an onshore eddy
- Catch and exit from a mid-stream eddy
- Paddle through a small hole
- Paddle through a class II wave train
- Manage boat speed by backpaddling and sideways slowing
reading whiteWATER
- Current, eddies, boulders, holes, wave trains
- Wood hazards, strainers
- Mid-stream and onshore eddies
- Sieves, siphons, whirlpools
- Channels and cobble bars
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Gear Lecture | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Feb 25, 2026
Registration opens Jan 7; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - River Lecture #1 | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Fri, Mar 20, 2026
Registration opens Jan 7; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Field Trip #1 | |||
| Snoqualmie River: Powerhouse to Plum Landing |
Sat, Mar 21, 2026
Registration opens Jan 7; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - River Lecture #2 | |||
| Seattle Program Center |
Tue, Mar 24, 2026
Registration opens Jan 7; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Field Trip #2 | |||
| Green River: Franklin to Auburn |
Sat, Mar 28, 2026
Registration opens Jan 7; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Field Trip #3 | |||
| Middle Fork Snoqualmie River: The Club Stretch |
Sat, Apr 4, 2026
Registration opens Jan 7; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
Required Equipment
Students will need to provide the following equipment.
Whitewater packraft. This means a boat with a deck or self bailing so that it does not fill with water. Should be made out of “rugged” material. Largely, that disqualifies any “light weight” rafts. It must be rigged with bow and stern grab lines. We have mostly chosen Alpacka Rafts, and can attest to their quality. Other manufacturers make suitable rafts. Thigh straps are not required, but many people like having them.
If you wish to order an Alpacka packraft, that should be done after getting into the class in January. Other pieces of gear are more readily available and can be purchased after the gear meeting.
Dry suit. Goretex does breath better, but is more expensive and heavier. See the Kayak Academy's Buyer's Guide
Whitewater Helmet. Fit is most important. Allow space for a hat or balaclava. Consider how sunglasses fit. Bicycle helmets or climbing helmets are not acceptable.
PFD. A wide range of options are suitable. You might choose a light weight PFD if you anticipate carrying it, or choose a rescue PFD if you’re goal is more difficult rapids.
Paddle. Single piece paddles are light and strong, but awkward to transport. Four-piece paddles are easy to transport but weigh more. Two-part paddles are the most common, reasonably light and easy to transport. A two-part paddle can be carried inside most rafts. However, on a backpack, two-part paddles are awkward.
River shoes. Most shoes that can get wet will do. Soft neoprene boots can work but will be uncomfortable for walking on river rocks. Functionally, your shoes should:
- Offer good protection from rocks
- Be oversized to allow extra socks.
- Drain water easily.
- Not have loose laces or other features that may catch on something.
Whistle. If you don’t own one, The Storm Whistle is effectively loud
Warm Layers: The outdoor layers that you use for other sports likely work well.
Deck Bag / Dry bags: For storage of equipment on and in the boat. We find the expedition bow bag to be super useful and recommend it. You can make do with several dry bags.
Repair Kit: An adequate repair kit comes with Alpacka Rafts. If your raft does not come with such a kit, anticipate putting one together.
Hand Protection: Some combination of warm paddling gloves, pogies, and blister protection.
You must register for this course to see course materials.