Two day advanced rowing clinic is designed for rafters who already have some experience to build on rowing, water reading & scouting, and river safety skills, working in class III - IV whitewater. This class is designed for those who are comfortable in Class III (such as our Browns Canyon) and have a desire to increase their technical rowing skills.
The class will run sections of the Arkansas equivalent to Browns Canyon and The Numbers, building skills along the way. Topics covered will include raft rigging, rowing skills, reading moving water, scouting, safety concerns, group management for downstream travel, hazard recognition and avoidance, dealing with a flipped raft, and many others. Particular emphasis will be given to the ergonomics of rowing and safety to help facilitate a lifetime of safe and effective river running.
Group sizes are kept small so that each raft holds typically three students and an instructor, allowing for maximum practice time for everyone. Students are encouraged to use their own personal gear such as lifejackets, helmets, and splash wear, but CRI is happy to provide any needed items. CRI will provide rafts and transportation to and from the river and our meeting location.
Please review the Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) and a basic gear list here.
Click here to find the Raft Sample Skills Course document from the American Canoe Association.
This clinic is designed for experienced rafters who want to take their skills to the next level.
Who it’s for: Rafters who are comfortable navigating Class III whitewater (like Browns Canyon) and want to enhance their rowing, water reading, scouting, and river safety skills.
What you’ll do:
Work through Class III-IV rapids to progressively build your technical skills.
Refine your rowing technique, improve your control, and boost your confidence in more challenging whitewater.
Focus on advanced rowing skills, rapid scouting, and safety protocols to confidently handle more complex river conditions.
What you’ll gain: A stronger foundation in the skills needed to tackle Class III-IV rapids and enhance your overall river safety and technique.
Offered in 2026:
July 11 - 12