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Learn the basics of
river skills and ecology
YOUTH
ADVENTURES - RIVER PROFICIENCY
Led by the man who
started the rafting industry and launched the guide
whitewater school in South Africa
4-day course: Tugela River,
December 12-15 2008
SIGN UP FOR DECEMBER 2008
INCLUDES
First Aid Level 1 & 2 Course
Previous courses galleries: Zingela
December 2007,
Treverton
March 2008
ADVENTURE DAYS
-
1-day trips are
fun adventures with some interesting discussion of
river tripping. These day outings are
straightforward rafting trips, running the rapids with the
experts. The picture above was taken on a 1-day trip.
All you need is a love of adventure! Go
here for recent
trip pix.
-
2-day courses
involve some basic coaching in boating skills and
river safety - enough to make you aware of what you face
out there on the water. Usually, the first day involves
fun and instruction, and the second is a downriver trip
ending with some brief personal evaluations.
-
3- and 4-day
courses cover much of the material in river guide
training courses but without the intensive and more
risky exercises that guides must do. The picture below
was taken on a 4-day course. On the longer youth
adventure outings there is time to become familiar with
boats and reading the river, and to practice more
skills. We sleep out and enjoy the full river
atmosphere. Go here for a
photo
gallery.
LEARNING
Many teenagers and young
adults would like to learn about canoeing and rafting on
Southern Africa's rivers but don't know where to start. Some
will want to become competitive canoeists and do the Duzi.
Others will enjoy drifting downriver with parties of
friends. But rivers can be dangerous and unpredictable. And
also, how does one learn to respect the river environment
and do the right things to conserve it? Rivers are amongst
our last wilderness areas, filled with wildlife and
birdlife.
Join Graeme Addison and
other expert guides on a wilderness river adventure where
you will learn:
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how to "read the
river" for dangers and the right routes
-
basics of river
safety and survival, hygiene and health
-
all about the
riverine environment, ecology and ethics of
river-running
-
what equipment,
training and skills you need for enjoyable tripping
-
rivers locally and
throughout the world - routes, jobs here and abroad and
your "gap year"
-
getting First Aid
certificate and drivers' licence, and graining outdoor
experience
-
generic adventure and
field guiding skills, and how to get qualified
-
and anything else you
want to ask!
All of these topics are
dealt with on the 3-4 day courses. A selection is made for
shorter 2-day courses.
Group courses are run for
boys and girls aged 12-19 and young adults. We can also take
on younger kids from 7-12 and will discuss the options with
you.
WHAT TO EXPECT
 No-one
is put deliberately at risk and the youngsters are
accompanied by trained and skilled guides on the river and
off it. Days generally start with safety and equipment
talks, followed by exercises on the water to build boating
skills and general awareness. Then there is an exciting run
downriver, tackling flat water and rapids within the range
of skills of the young participants. They are shown how to
handle various kinds of boats, from 2-seater rafts and
sit-on-top kayaks to full whitewater kayaks. Also, we
practice river wading, ropework, and rescue scenarios. The
late afternoons are given to leisure and boating fun.
Evenings are filled with river talk, highlighting the
culture of working river people through the world (guides,
operators and clubs), and discussing where to get further
training and qualifications. Participants are urged to join
their local clubs. They are also told about "gap year"
opportunities for travelling abroad and working on rivers.
KIT AND MEALS
When you book, a kit list
is provided, basically for ordinary outdoor activities. We
supply all boats and equipment such as helmets, lifejackets,
paddles and dry packing, and we organise all meals. Trips
can be self-catered to save money but there will be a roster
of duties.
PERSONAL ASSESSMENT AND
LETTER
Although the course is
informal, at the end each participant receives a personal
assessment. (This is not given on shorter 1-day outings). We
send you a Letter of Attendance [LOA] which can be added to
your list of accomplishments in your CV. For those intending
to go on and train as river guides, the LOA can be added to
your Porfolio of Evidence under the National Qualifications
Framework scheme.
Want to find out more?
How much it costs? Just
ask! |
