HREC 150 Introduction to Whitewater Rafting

This course introduces the student to the whitewater rafting environment. Topics include equipment, rigging, paddle technique, river hydraulics and terminology, river communication, river safety, organization and leadership, and river etiquette. Students will learn to safely guide a paddle raft on Class 2 and 3 whitewater.

Credits

1

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

30

General Education Competency

[GE Core type]

HREC 150Introduction to Whitewater Rafting

Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.

I. General Information

Department

Health, Recreation & Fitness

II. Course Specification

Course Type

Program Requirement

General Education Competency

[GE Core type]

Credit Hours Narrative

1

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

30

Grading Method

Letter grade

Repeatable

N

III. Catalog Course Description

This course introduces the student to the whitewater rafting environment. Topics include equipment, rigging, paddle technique, river hydraulics and terminology, river communication, river safety, organization and leadership, and river etiquette. Students will learn to safely guide a paddle raft on Class 2 and 3 whitewater.

IV. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

  • Students will demonstrate appropriate safety practices

V. Topical Outline (Course Content)

A. Introduction to whitewater terminology, and personal/rafting equipment       B. Rafting position and organization: paddler placement, paddle strokes, gear in boat, selecting river, buddy system, shuttle, safety briefing       C. Communication and whitewater signals       D. Role of Paddle Captain       E. Reading River: current, eddies, V-waves, lateral waves, etc.       F. River Hazards: scouting, strainers, rocks, broaching, holes, low-head dams, bridge pillars, etc.       G. Raft Manuevering: strokes, entering/exiting an eddy, ferry angles       H. Safety and Rescue: swimming position, CoReThRoGo, throw bag drills, flipping raft       I. "Live" rafting sessions with studetns rotating as paddle captain. sessions at area crags       J. "Live" flip drills, throw bag drills, swimming through Class II,      

VI. Delivery Methodologies

Required Assignments

1. Health History Form 2. Assigned readings from text

Required Exams

1. Weekly quizzes on reading 2. on-water paddle captain assessment

Required Text

1. Read selected chapters from Whitewater Safety and Rescue by Ferrero  

Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements

1. Health History Form 2. Assigned readings from text 1. Weekly quizzes on reading 2. on-water paddle captain assessment