Swiftwater Rescue Course L2 - L4
10 - 11 May 2025
Welcome to the Swiftwater Rescue Course! Richard and I will be guiding you on your path to become a better rescuer. Our weekend together, you will learn several new techniques so you can have a toolbox full of “tools” that you can use to rescue a fellow boater and their gear. We only ask you to come rested and with an open mind because we are here to guide you on your journey.
This course is for anyone that paddles moving water to whitewater. If you paddle any streams here in the Midwest, you NEED this course! This course gives you the skills to know how to rescue others and be rescued by your fellow paddlers!
Here is the plan:
I will arrive at the Suzuki Music School around 9pm on 09 May and set up at the school. Saturday morning, I will be getting up around 6am to start fixing breakfast at the school. I will move to the East Race, so I’m set up and ready to go for an 8am start time. We will be conducting class on Saturday from 8am to around 5pm with a lunch around noon. After that if anyone wants to play on the race, they may do so that is taking the class. I will move back to the Music School to start dinner and have it ready around 630pm. We will eat and talk rescue and paddling stuff until everyone is tired. Sunday morning, I will get up and follow the same schedule as Saturday and have breakfast ready and be at the East Race by 8am on Sunday morning. We will teach and finish up our training on Sunday afternoon around 4pm. I will serve lunch around noon on Sunday.
Lodging:
Anyone interested in staying near the course for free, Monica Davis’s Mom has a music school near the course and has offered for anyone attending the course to stay at the school. I will donate some money towards Mrs. Davis to cover any expenses.
You will need to bring the following:
· Sleeping bag
· Pillow
· Sleeping mat
· Towel, personal hygiene products
The school will be available for entry after 9 pm on Friday 09 May. No one will be at the school on Saturday or Sunday except the Swiftwater Rescue Group. The school has one shower and 3 bathrooms. Inside the building, there are several classrooms and a large room downstairs for people to sleep on the floor on an air mattress. The kitchen has a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, coffee machine, stove, and sink. John Gates will provide food for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday morning at the school. I will also be providing lunch both Saturday and Sunday. There is plenty of paper plates, bowls, silverware, cups, and cookware to use. The school is in a very nice part of town with a grocery store across the road. There is a huge yard for outdoor play. No campfires are allowed since we are in city limits without a burn permit which we will not need. The building has internet, and Monica will bring her projector to play kayaking videos or whatever people want to watch.
Address:
Suzuki Music School
52549 Gumwood Road
Granger, IN 46530
The following items you will need:
River gear that keeps you warm. Drysuit or wetsuits because we will be in the water most of the day.
Your Rescue Kit (Pulleys, carabiners, webbing, etc)
Helmet
Paddle craft: whitewater kayak, etc.
Throw bag
Air Bags for your craft
Paddle
Foot wear. No sandals
Rescue knife
Rescue PFD or PFD
If you do not have any of the above, please reach out to me and we will discuss.
Cost:
The cost for the course is $110 if you are an ACA Member. If you aren’t an ACA Member, the cost will be $150 and you will become an ACA Member. Also included in your $110, you will become a HCKC Member if you are not already or your dues will be paid for another year. The cost of this course is to cover cost of food, donation to the music studio, and cover Richard and I’s cost. We do not make anything off this course. We do this because we want our fellow boaters to be able to rescue others and even us on the river!
If you have any questions, concerns or just want to say Hi please reach out to Richard or I and we will be happy to chat. We look forward to working with each one of you.
