Fundamentals Of Boat Based Rescue
This course is for intermediate paddlers who want to become better prepared on the river and more effective in assisting swimmers and getting their boats to shore with efficiency.
Overview
This course is for intermediate paddlers who want to become better prepared on the river and more effective in assisting swimmers and getting their boats to shore with efficiency. We will equip you with tools for implementing rescues, risk mitigation, and decision-making through skill presentations applied to on-river scenarios.
Dates
Course Dates
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 17-17, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| May 22-22, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Jun 5-5, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Jun 19-19, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Jul 17-17, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Aug 7-7, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Aug 28-28, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Sep 18-18, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Oct 2-2, 2026 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Oct 16-16, 2026 | Bryson City, NC |
Location
Address
Nantahala Outdoor Center, U.S. 19, Bryson City, NC, USA
Before You Visit
- All necessary specialty whitewater equipment
- NOC’s highly trained, ACA certified instruction
Necessary Items (for All Courses)
- Students should bring their own solo craft (whitewater kayak/canoe/packraft)
- Shorts/swimwear
- Water shoes or old sneakers
- Synthetic T-shirts
- Sunscreen/lip balm
- Towel and change of clothes each day
- Reusable water bottle
- Clothing and personal items
- Rain gear
- Synthetic long underwear
- Light fleece hoodie/pullover
Optional Items
- Nose clips
- Sunglasses
- Eyeglass strap
- Hat or visor
- Earplugs (if sensitive to water)
Prior to signing up, participants should have experience paddling Class II whitewater in a whitewater kayak, solo whitewater canoe, or packraft
Meet Our Instructors
The NOC Paddling School stands out because of its exceptional instructors, who are experienced, skilled paddlers, and creative teachers. Their expertise and dedication are why Outside Magazine named us the “Best Place to Learn”
Click here to view our full list of Paddling School Instructors
