2025 American Canoe Association

Level 3

River Safety and Rescue Training

 DATE:   October 18, 2025

 

Taught by the Spring Woods Canoe Group

  (The SWCG is an ACA Paddle America Club)

LOCATION:  San Marcos River.  Meet at the San Marcos River Retreat at Campsite 1 on Saturday, October 17, at 9:30 am. The course will end by 6 pm.

 

COST

Cost of the class is $100.  This includes your campground use fees, 15 feet of tubular webbing, and handouts.  There is no cost for SWCG Instructors. 

 

SKILLS COURSE OVERVIEW

The River Safety and Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments and pins are also taught. This course is aimed at whitewater boaters interested in learning fundamental river rescue skills.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Promote proactive prevention of river accidents and
• Develop and practice key self-rescue
• Identify and avoid river hazards by understanding hydrology, hazards, and river features
• Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
• Practice methods for recovering swimmers, and loose boats and equipment

SKILLS COURSE PREREQUISITES

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
• All paddle craft are welcome. Boaters should be able to competently maneuver their craft in Class I-II rapids. However, all boaters, and non-boaters with an interest in swiftwater rescue (e.g., professional rescuers), will benefit from the class. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, have solid swimming ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills. Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature and expect to be in the water for extended periods of time.

TO REGISTER

Your check reserves your place in the class.  Please email Susan with your completed registration form at:  susaneda@mac.com  Please send the check and the original completed course registration form, and your original signed waiver to:

 

SWCG

c/o Susan Eda

1229 Confederate Rd

Houston, Texas  77055

 

Once you have registered, a confirmation email will be sent out to you.

 

If you have questions or need more information

Contact Susan Eda at 713-203-2452(cell)  or  email at        susaneda@mac.com

 

or contact Chuck Babb at   gobcampinganywhere2012@hotmail.com

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