When

Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 7:00 PM PDT
-to-
Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 1:00 PM PDT
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Where

Echo Hollow Pool & Alton Baker Park, in Eugene, OR 
1655 Echo Hollow Rd, Eugene, OR 97402
100 Day Island Rd, Eugene, OR 97401  

 
 

Contact

Michelle Emmons, South Valley Advocate 
Willamette Riverkeeper 
541-913-4318 (cell) 
michelle@willametteriverkeeper.org 
 

ACA River Safety and Rescue Workshop

Photo courtesy of Lon Myst Photography

Willamette Riverkeeper is teaming up with the American Canoe Association to present the ACA River Safety and Rescue Workshop. This event has been designed for WR on-water guides and river cleanup volunteers. Participants will learn how to recognize and avoid common river hazards, 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, also are taught. This course is aimed at whitewater boaters interested in learning fundamental river rescue skills.


The course will be held in two parts. The first is an evening pool session held at Echo Hollow Pool from 7:00-9:30PM on Thursday, May 16th. The focus of the pool session will be on life jacket use and boat based rescues. A $5.00 pool entry fee is required.

The second class will be held on the Willamette River at Alton Baker Park and the Autzen Rapid on the following Saturday, May 18th. Participants will meet on site from 9AM-1PM. This session will focus on proper rescue gear, basic rope work, throw bags, moving in the river environment, foot entrapment, hazard avoidance and swimming in moving water. Participants will need to bring PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) including life jacket, helmet and clothing appropriate for extended immersion in cold water and sturdy closed toe footwear. If you don not have your own equipment, you can rent a PPE gear package for $25, courtesy of the City of Eugene River House Outdoor Center. This package includes a dry jacket, wetsuit, PFD, helmet and closed-toe water shoes. Sizing will be confirmed by email ahead of time. Payment will be collected at Thursday evening's class.

Willamette Riverkeeper is covering the cost of this class for participants who are qualified volunteers with the ability to commit to at least 30 hours of service to Willamette Rivekeeper programs in 2018 - including River Discovery, Restoration, River Guardians or special events such as Pinot Paddle, Paddle Oregon or Eugene River Festival. Participants are required to attend both days and will receive an official ACA Membership and Certificate of Completion in recognition of their training. 

For more information about course curriculum, please see: www.americancanoe.org/page/courses. For questions about this workshop or registration, please contact michelle@willametteriverkeeper.org.