2025 White Mountain ACA L4 SWR

Service Description

American Canoe Association Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Course. This three-day weekend course is preceded by an evening remote session. Content and skills are based on the ACA Level IV SWR curriculum, is appropriate for trip leaders, whitewater instructors and guides, and recreational paddlers, looking to further their skills. The course location will be determined based on water levels within 1.5 hours of the Mount Washington Valley. Accommodations will typically be local to the Conway/North Conway area. SRG staff are able to suggest places to stay on request. Course Schedule: MAY DATES TBD Wednesday - 6:30 PM-9:00 PM Remote Video Conference Friday - 6:00 PM-9:00 PM Dryland Skills Evolutions Saturday - 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM On River Skills Evolutions Sunday - 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM On River Skills Evolutions Please review the ACA requirements for course participation. Students will get the most out of the course if they have appropriate thermal protection, and river boots/shoes, Type III or V PFD (lifejacket), and helmet are required. A personal throw bag, whistle, and river knife are encouraged but not mandatory. Familiarity and working knowledge of knots will improve course experience. The following knots are recommended: Figure 8, Figure 8 Retrace/Follow-Through, Figure 8 on a Bight, Alpine Butterfly, Munter Hitch (on a pear shaped carabiner), Clove Hitch, Double Fisherman's (to make prussiks), Prussik Knot, and the Water Knot (1" tubular webbing). We teach/use the Wrap Three Pull Two, and the Basket Hitch (with webbing) for anchors, as well as the "No-Knot" or Tensionless Hitch anchor. On river course days can be physically demanding and involve lots of swimming, moving in and around water, movement across areas with difficult footing, and typically take place when the water is cold and cooler ambient air temperatures. SRG believes in Challenge By Choice and students always have the option to pass on an evolution, and we love to demo, swim with, and support students skills acquisition in a safe supportive environment. Show up well rested, bring snacks, a thermos for hot drinks, fluids, and ready to have fun and work hard. Please contact us with any questions. We want you to have an awesome experience and leave with a bunch of new tools for your river tool box. Course Curriculum: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.americancanoe.org/resource/resmgr/sei-courses/l4_swr_skills.pdf