Glacier River Schools
at Glacier Raft Company

Glacier Raft Company has a 35 year history of providing whitewater and fishing trips on rivers in Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Canada. Our guides are the best in the industry, and we are proud of their professionalism, expertise and unparalleled experience. Now you can learn from the best by attending Glacier River Schools at Glacier Raft Company on the boundary waters of Glacier National Park.

Choose from four courses to build your custom combination of essential river-running skills:

• Reading and running class II-IV whitewater
• River rescue (Rescue 3 International WRT curriculum)
• Principals of hydrology
• Commanding a paddle crew
• Maneuvering an oar-rigged boat
• Rope handling techniques
• Risk management on the river
• Assessing equipment needs
• Rigging a boat
• Camping & cooking on the river
• Leave no Trace Skills

Beginner boater - A person with little or no river experience.
This person should start with the Introduction to River Skills class first, and then take the advanced courses as skills are built through each class. The river school is an excellent option for this person to develop skills quickly.

Experienced boater - A person with experience running Class II and above whitewater.
This person should feel free to take any of the courses depending on the skills they would like to improve.

Professional boater - A person with experience guiding tours on Class II and above whitewater.
This person should take the Whitewater Rescue Technician Course to gain experience in river rescue and a Rescue 3 International Certification.

This is an excellent course for a beginner boater who wants to learn the basics of running whitewater. We cover fundamental river safety and boating skills, including maneuvering both paddle rafts and oar-rigged boats. After two days you will gain experience reading and running class III whitewater.

Course Outline:

Day 1:

• Introduction to the River; Basic hydrology, Middle Fork of the Flathead, North Fork of the Flathead
• River Equipment
• Oar-rigged boats; Rowing techniques
• Paddle Boats; Commanding a paddle crew
• On-water practice

Day 2:

• On-water practice
• River rescue discussion and practice

This is a Rescue 3 International course, designed for the river enthusiast, professional guide or experienced private boater. We cover advanced river rescue skills.

Skills Covered:

• Rescue Philosophy
• Hydrology
• Equipment
• Rescue Swimming
• Throwbag Skills
• Medical Considerations
• Anchors
• Rope Systems
• Rope Handling
• Shallow Water Crossings
• Entrapments
• Unpinning Boats

This comprehensive course is designed for the boater who would like to guide professionally or gain extensive knowledge about rivers and river safety. Learn how to command a paddle crew, maneuver an oar rig and prepare for the unexpected. In addition, become certified as a Rescue 3 International River Rescuer . After six days you will be a confident boater, ready for commercial or private guiding. This course is comprised of a combination of the three courses below.

Course Outline:

Days 1 & 2:

• Introduction to River Skills (See coursework above)

Days 3 & 4:

• River Rescuer (a brand new certification designed specifically for professional guides)

Days 5 & 6:

• Advanced River Skills: Learn how to assess equipment needs for extended trips, rig a boat, plan meals, set up a campsite, and prepare meals on the river
• reparing for an overnight trip; Packing List, Rigging Boats, Choosing a Route & Campsite Selection
• Camp
• Heading Home; " Preparing meals on the River, " Break down camp

• Drysuit or Wetsuit
• USCG approved Type III or V PFD (life jacket)
• Whitewater Helmet
• Water booties or Tennis shoes
• Equipment available for rent at the Glacier Outdoor Center 406-888-5454

River Sense Program

River Sense is a program designed to develop responsible practices in our future river enthusiasts.  Safety of participants is our number one concern. Our instructors are all certified in First Aid/CPR as well as Whitewater Rescue Technicians through Rescue 3 International. The primary instructor is an independent River Rescue Instructor for Rescue 3 International as well as an American Canoe Association Raft Guide Instructor. Click for more about our River Sense Program.

* Prices do not include 7% service fee

Photo courtesy of Abe Herrera and Clint Walker

April 30 - May 2 - Whitewater Rescue Technician
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

May 15 - 16 - Introduction to River Skills
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

May 15 - 20- The River School
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

May 28 - 30 - Whitewater Rescue Technician
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

June 7 - 12 - The River School
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

June 18 - 20 - Whitewater Rescue Technician
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

June 26 - 27 - Introduction to River Skills
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

July 17 - 18 - Introduction to River Skills
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

July 29 - Level I River Sense
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

July 30 - Level II River Sense
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

July 31 - August 1 - Level III River Sense
Sign Up or call 1-800-235-6781

* Minimum enrollment of 6 people required for course to take place

Meet Your Instructors
Carl Motes-Conners
Lead Instructor

Carl is an avid outdoorsman, member of the Flathead County Search and Rescue, and veteran guide at Glacier Raft Company. As Lead Guide, he is responsible for training new whitewater guides and managing the company's daily operations. Carl earned a B.S. in Recreation Management and Nature-Based Tourism from The University of Montana, Missoula, during which time he spent summers guiding on the Middle Fork of the Flathead. Carl then served as Recreation Manager at the five-star Resort at Paws Up, where he developed a broad-scale recreation department and designed a wide range of outdoor programs for resort guests. He also implemented a guide-training curriculum for each guest activity, from rafting to mountain biking to snowmobiling.

Professional certifications:

• Rescue 3 International Independent Instructor: Water
• American Canoe Association: Raft Guide Instructor
• Technical Rope Rescue: Technician Level
• Wilderness First Responder
• Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced
• PSIA Nordic Instructor: Level I

Carl is glad to be back "home" at Glacier Raft Company, enjoying life at the gateway to Glacier National Park and working with fellow whitewater enthusiasts through The River Schools. He looks forward to getting on the river with you.

Glacier Raft Company prefers to hire guides out of the Guide School*. We refund course fees upon hire, less $100 for certification. If you are interested in becoming a guide for Glacier Raft Company, please email Alex before your course begins.
*Graduation from the course does not guarantee hire. If you are not hired by Glacier Raft Company, your newly acquired skills will surely be sought by many river outfitters.

Questions about classes?
Contact Carl by email
Or call (406)888-5454