Build a solid foundation of skills and knowledge for paddling and traveling on rivers. Get hands-on practice and professional instruction. Gain the confidence to perform rescues and make smart decisions.
Take this course and achieve international certification that’s valid for 3 years. During that time, you can upgrade to the ‘technician’ level with the 3-day Whitewater Rescue Technician Bridge course.
Get 10 – 15 % off through multi-student specials and pro-deals.
Learning Outcomes
- Get tons of hands-on practice with experienced instructors, a great learning environment, and a well-run course
- Increase your knowledge of the river environment to avoid hazards and work with the water, not against it
- Practice techniques such as swimming, wading, and throwing ropes to move around the river, perform self-rescues, and rescue others
- Learn knots, anchors, and rope systems for use in equipment recovery and transportation
- Carry out effective rescues with limited resources when river running
Take away materials
- Waterproof course manual: Whitewater Rescue Field Guide
- Certification card
Topics covered
Knowledge
- General concepts of whitewater and swiftwater rescue
- Personal and group equipment
- River safety and scene management
- River signals and communications
- River features and hydrology
- Related medical topics: drowning and hypothermia
Basic skills
- Swimming in moving water: self rescue and whitewater maneuvers
- Throw ropes
- Contact rescues
- Introduction to quick release rescue harness
- Rescue of panicked subjects
- Shallow water crossings
- Knots, anchors, and basic tensioning systems
- ‘Strainer’ swim
Rescue problems & scenarios
- Foot entrapment
- Kayak, canoe, and raft pins and wraps
- Managing flips and swims
- Rescue simulations
Course format and overview
Pre-course prep
Once you register, you’ll get a link to our online learning platform. Budget about 4-6 hours to complete the work. You will:
- Going through video and text lessons
- Do short quizzes
- Read and sign your course waiver forms
By learning the pre-course prep material first, we can spend more course time practicing where it matters: on and around the river.
Daily schedule
After registering, you’ll receive a ‘student information package’ with specific meeting times for your course. Typically class starts at 8:30am and may go until 6:30pm.
Attendance is mandatory
Attendance for 100% of class time is mandatory. If you can’t make a session you need permission from the instructor in advance. Students who miss a section of the course without pre-approval may be asked to leave the course.
Assessment and evaluation for certification
Practical assessment is ongoing within a supportive, professional, and fun learning environment.
To achieve the WWR Level II certification you need to:
- Attend all sessions and participate throughout the course
- Demonstrate an understanding of river safety and river rescue skills
Your certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
Recertification in Whitewater Rescue (WWR) Level II
You should consider upgrading from Whitewater Rescue (WWR) Level II by taking the 3-day Whitewater Rescue Technician – Bridge (WRT-Bridge) III course. Or you can recertify your Whitewater Rescue (WWR) II by re-taking the course.
Upgrading to Technician Level Certification
If you have current certification you could upgrade with either the 3-day WRT Recertification/Bridge Level III option or the 5-day WRT Levels I, II, & III course.
To successfully upgrade to the technician-level certification in 3 days, it is important that you arrive for your course ready to use your skills and knowledge from your previous training courses and experiences. The 3-day option is great if you have been practicing most of your skills regularly and spending time in and around rivers during the 3 years since your last course.
We recommend taking the complete 5-day WRT course in these situations:
- you would like more supervised practice time
- you haven’t spent very much time around rivers since your last course
- you aren’t able to perform the skills outlined in the WRT-Bridge pre-course assignment
Certification from other training providers
You can take the WRT-Bridge or WRT-Recertification course if your current certification is through a provider other than Boreal River Rescue. Please contact the office for approval.
Equipment and clothing to bring
This is a general list of what to bring for a WRT-Bridge course. Please refer to your ‘student information package’ (emailed to you once you register) for a complete list specific to your course.
Equipment rental is available.
For the river:
- Whitewater helmet. You can rent one from us for the whole course (two days total) for $12 CAD.
- Whitewater PFD with knife and whistle (personal flotation device) Needs to be in good condition, fit properly, and be outfitted with a safety knife and whistle. A quick-release harness is not mandatory for WWR students. You can rent a rescue PFD from us for the whole course (two days total) for $40 CAD—it comes equipped with a knife, whistle, and quick release harness.
- River shoes – closed toe
River shoes with full toe coverage that are supportive but also lightweight and draining with a grippy sole. This could be a model made specifically for the river or a lightweight running shoe, trail-running shoe, or sneaker. Neoprene shoes can work if they have enough support and traction but neoprene socks or booties are not adequate. - Wetsuit or drysuit
A wetsuit or drysuit is necessary for courses before mid-June or past mid-September in eastern or central North America and always necessary on glacier-fed rivers. You can rent a full length wetsuit (4mm with fleece lining and full arms and legs) from us for the whole course (two days total) for $63 CAD. - Base layers, insulation, and socks
Make sure to have several layers of socks, pants, and tops made of wool, fleece, polyester, or another synthetic material to wear in addition to your wetsuit or drysuit (or to be worn on their own on sunny days and in warm water). - Surf shorts
- Rash guard
- Snacks, lunch, and water bottle or thermos
Keeping yourself fuelled with calories is one of the keys to staying warm and happy. We usually don’t stop for a long lunch break but instead, take several shorter eating breaks throughout the day so it is good to bring lots of food and things that don’t require much preparation on the side of the river. Also make sure to have some high calorie snacks that you can keep in your PFD pocket. - Sunscreen, lip protection, bug repellent
- Neoprene gloves (optional)
- Neoprene head warmer (optional)
- Camera (optional)
- Sunglasses or prescription glasses with strap (optional)
For on land:
- Comfortable clothing
- Comfortable shoes
- Tuque (warm hat), gloves, or mitts for early and late season courses
- Sun hat, visor, or baseball cap
- Raingear
- Gear bag or container to store your equipment for transport
- Day pack or drybag to store your belongings during class
- Pens and notepad
Consider the following items but refer to the ‘student information package’ for your course to see the accommodation options available and a more specific list:
- Meals and cooking equipment
- Camping equipment or bedding
- Towel
- Personal hygiene products and medications
- Indoor clothing and shoes
Join a scheduled course at one of our amazing training rivers or have our instructor travel to a river near you for group training.
Be sure to read our cancellation policy.
Upcoming WWR courses
Une super expérience d’apprentissage autant utile qu’intéressant! Raph et Francis savent de quoi ils parlent et partagent leur connaissances dans... read moreUne super expérience d’apprentissage autant utile qu’intéressant! Raph et Francis savent de quoi ils parlent et partagent leur connaissances dans une ambiance très décontractée sans manquer de rigueur!
Formation vraiment trippante!!!
On se voit dans un peu moins de 3 ans😉 read lessI took the WRT course with boreal river and it was amazing. It was on the Magnetawan river and it... read moreI took the WRT course with boreal river and it was amazing. It was on the Magnetawan river and it was great. The instructors were fantastic really good at teaching and making sure everybody feels like they have understood and like they are seen in this course. It was a greatly useful course with a lot different rescue techniques, learning of cool knot skills, swimming in the rapids, just everything you need to be comfortable guiding a trip on a river for the river safety part. I would recommend to anyone looking to be more comfortable on rivers and to feel more safe and knowledgeable. I had a great time! Thanks again to the boreal river team:) read lessEloise Day 04 Jun 2023Course is well structured and is easy to follow every step of the way. It just flows perfectly. Good instructor,... read moreCourse is well structured and is easy to follow every step of the way. It just flows perfectly. Good instructor, good vibe. Definitely will be back for tech level. Thanks Danny. read lessMarco Petrie 14 Jul 2015- I've taken both the Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician courses. They were both fantastic courses that I... read moreI've taken both the Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician courses. They were both fantastic courses that I highly recommend. read lessMatt Borges 13 Jun 2023I completed my swiftwater/whitewater course with Boreal. Initially I did the course in Quebec and I recently re-certified with... read moreI completed my swiftwater/whitewater course with Boreal. Initially I did the course in Quebec and I recently re-certified with them out west on the Squamish River. Both experiences were really good. The instructors really know there stuff. They don't make you, but definitely encourage you to try stuff out of your comfort zone in a safe environment. It's a really fun course. read lessjamus meyer 04 Jun 2021Great course. So much fun and pushed me to another level. I feel so much more confident paddling in the... read moreGreat course. So much fun and pushed me to another level. I feel so much more confident paddling in the whitewater. Instructors were super friendly, positive and competent. Well worth it. read lesssteve broomfield 13 Jun 2023
- I took a whitewater rescue course with Danny and Jonh at Boreal and it was simply amazing! Their online videos... read moreI took a whitewater rescue course with Danny and Jonh at Boreal and it was simply amazing! Their online videos were also very helpful to get us ready for our day on the water. Highly recommend! read lessNas Yas 06 Sep 2021Just finished the whitewater rescue technician course. This is the third course I have done with Boreal River Rescue and... read moreJust finished the whitewater rescue technician course. This is the third course I have done with Boreal River Rescue and I have only good things to say about them. Danny and his crew did a fantastic job of demonstrating all the skills and giving us lots of time for supervised practice. The scenarios they set up for us were great for showing us how to bring it all together to perform successful rescue ops. I look forward to doing more courses with Boreal in the future. read lessBill Gadzos 21 May 2021Took my White Water Rescue certs on the upper Gatineau with Boreal. Danny, our instructor, was highly knowledgeable and a... read moreTook my White Water Rescue certs on the upper Gatineau with Boreal. Danny, our instructor, was highly knowledgeable and a great teacher. Had a ton of fun and came away with a lot more confidence on the river. They came highly reccommended and now I can see why. The booking process was easy and the days went off without a hitch. I'll definitely be getting more certs with this bunch. Thank you! read lessMike Judson 04 Oct 2022
Every aspect of working with Boreal has been top notch. Great communication, great instructors, and super great to work with... read moreEvery aspect of working with Boreal has been top notch. Great communication, great instructors, and super great to work with overall. Highly recommend! read less
Just completed the WRT re-certification course and I found it very stimulating as the course built nicely on previous skills... read moreJust completed the WRT re-certification course and I found it very stimulating as the course built nicely on previous skills learned and practiced and found a way to add new exercises and twists to learning the material. The locations were exciting to practice at, the pace was fast, and the hands-on aspect of training presented a balance of adrenaline and pushing physical limits, altogether satisfying! Highly recommend for those seeking technical knowledge of rescue techniques for their adventures in the wilderness. read lessDavid Lazar 02 Jul 2020- I was fortunate to join a wilderness first responder first aid course last winter and was so impressed with the... read moreI was fortunate to join a wilderness first responder first aid course last winter and was so impressed with the attention to detail and intensive training that I vowed to take Boreal's Whitewater Rescue Technician course this year. Mission accomplished in September ( a great time to take this course as the water is still warm), it was an intensive re-cert course at Boreal's base camp on the Upper Gatineau River. I walked, or should I say swam away from the course with the knowledge and motivation to keep practicing these skills until my next re-cert. read lessPaul Mason 13 Sep 2018Just refreshed my skills and certification as a Whitewater rescue technician with Boreal River Rescue. The pre-course info is amazing,... read moreJust refreshed my skills and certification as a Whitewater rescue technician with Boreal River Rescue. The pre-course info is amazing, the course content is highly relevant and applicable, it is methodically taught with plenty of practise time to become comfortable with it. Another course participant said to me "I am like a kid in a candy store!! I am learning so much!!" It is an excellent way to build your skills for any type of river travel. (Kayak, canoe, surf, SUP, Raft, Packraft). Go for it. read lessColin Bunge 20 Jun 2023Just completed the Whitewater Rescue course with Boreal River Rescue. The outstanding online preparation was so well organized into... read moreJust completed the Whitewater Rescue course with Boreal River Rescue. The outstanding online preparation was so well organized into text, video clips, graphics, dramatizations and real life footage. The practical sessions involved two long days that just flew by based on the set up on hands on experiences, group and 1-1 instruction. Boreal River Rescue has put together some great learning tools, highly recommended from a safety perspective as well as a pedagogical perspective (learning). read lessBrian Storosko 06 Sep 2021
- Last weekend, a group of us took the 2-day Whitewater Rescue Course at Gatineau River, and we absolutely loved it!... read moreLast weekend, a group of us took the 2-day Whitewater Rescue Course at Gatineau River, and we absolutely loved it! Danny and Rob both did a phenomenal job instructing the course. They made all of the information clear, patiently answered all of our questions, and gave us tons of hands-on practice in the river. Aside from all of that, it was also tons of fun! Thank you Danny and Rob for an amazing weekend! read lessSean Musclow 14 Sep 2018Took a 5 day WRT-3 course with Nick as lead instructor. Great overall experience that provides you with a variety... read moreTook a 5 day WRT-3 course with Nick as lead instructor. Great overall experience that provides you with a variety of tools, practical instruction in decision making and highlights the subjective and dynamic aspects of performing river rescues. read lessTim Radcliffe 13 Jun 2023
- Real good instruction, they respected people's limitations/comfort zone, offered other ways and individual short instruction for who are not so... read moreReal good instruction, they respected people's limitations/comfort zone, offered other ways and individual short instruction for who are not so good on parts of the course read lessCurtis Mark-Stewart 19 Sep 2015
- Finished 4 day WRT course at Gatineau River with Julian and loved it ! Super knowledgeable and always able to... read moreFinished 4 day WRT course at Gatineau River with Julian and loved it ! Super knowledgeable and always able to share more and more ! Tons of fun on a super friendly and safe environment ! Travel across the Atlantic to do this course and couldn't be more happy with the choice ! Definitely exceed the expectations! Can't wait to join Boreal again in the future ! read lessHernâni Lima 18 Jun 2018
Whitewater rescue level I/II by Boreal is good course. It is very informative, organized, and well taught. We had a... read moreWhitewater rescue level I/II by Boreal is good course. It is very informative, organized, and well taught. We had a chance for lots of practice of procedures. The instructor was friendly and helpful. Planning to take the next rescue course... read less
- Ten years in and Boreal River is the industry leader. Whether you are looking for first aid training, whitewater rescue... read moreTen years in and Boreal River is the industry leader. Whether you are looking for first aid training, whitewater rescue certification, or high quality adventure guiding, Boreal River is the top echelon in Canada. Through his passion for rivers, people, and education, Danny has assembled an incredible team who share his passions and diversify the experience for clients. This is the due to a lifelong focus on the highest professional standard and, over time, attracting like-minded people. The result is a company driven by passionate and professional staff who are committed to providing the highest quality experience possible for their clients. Congrats to Danny and the entire Boreal River team; you truly have built something very special together over the last 10 years!Bill Mitchell 12 Jun 2019
-Bill Mitchell, Vanier College Outdoor Education read lessThe Whitewater Rescue 4 day Course will blow your mind, you learn SO much!! Julian was my instructor, he is... read moreThe Whitewater Rescue 4 day Course will blow your mind, you learn SO much!! Julian was my instructor, he is SO GOOD at what he does.Klade Kerr 17 Jul 2020
You won’t regret taking the course. Everybody at Boreal is so accommodating and understanding. My course was a socially-distanced one, after the Covid restrictions lifted. Everything still worked out very well with the covid protocols in place.
I highly recommend this course to anyone read lessGreat instructors-Ben & Ian are fantastic educators. It was a steep learning curve (for me) and they were patient with... read moreGreat instructors-Ben & Ian are fantastic educators. It was a steep learning curve (for me) and they were patient with everyone’s questions, clear with the answers. They made us work really hard every day and I loved every minute of it! read lessFelicia Feather 05 Jul 2018 - We very much enjoyed our instructors experience and diligence in our training for Water Rescue response. Lots of scenarios that... read moreWe very much enjoyed our instructors experience and diligence in our training for Water Rescue response. Lots of scenarios that helped hammer down the concepts, while also revealing the need for a continuous practice of the skills learned, so that should the time arrive we will be ready to respond appropriately. And due to the fluctuating river levels, the flexibility demonstrated in our daily activities also showed the expertice of our instructors. Thanks alot KAYLEE and RYAN Many safe travels to ya. read lessChris Brown 06 Sep 2021Recerted both my WRT and WFR with Boreal this fall and both courses were both challenging and enjoyable. In... read moreRecerted both my WRT and WFR with Boreal this fall and both courses were both challenging and enjoyable. In the case of the WFR there has been considerable change in how spine injuries are categorized and treated and we received a lot of practical experience in applying new standards. As usual, Boreal's excellent training was backed up by efficient course administration. read lessPeter Kasurak 05 Nov 2019
The course we did was very well presented, led, and also very fun. We took away a lot of great... read moreThe course we did was very well presented, led, and also very fun. We took away a lot of great rescue skills we can use in the future. The instructor was very good. He was knowledgeable, personable and effective. I really liked how he referred to the class as ‘team’. If you’re considering a river rescue course, then I highly recommend Boreal. My wife and I attended Level I and II and will be looking to Boreal to complete III and IV as well. read less
Maxime, and Garett were great. They led us through the rigorous content in an incremental, manageable way and were professional,... read moreMaxime, and Garett were great. They led us through the rigorous content in an incremental, manageable way and were professional, personable and affirming. I would highly recommend Boreal. read less
If you do any type of canoeing or water sport, knowledge in safety is essential. The crew from Boreal... read moreIf you do any type of canoeing or water sport, knowledge in safety is essential. The crew from Boreal River Rescue are top notch and I recommend them very highly! read less
- The swiftwater rescue training is very thorough with lots of hands-on practice (more than other companies give you). The instructors... read moreThe swiftwater rescue training is very thorough with lots of hands-on practice (more than other companies give you). The instructors are super knowledgeable, friendly, and make you feel safe training on the river. read lessRiley Murray 06 Jun 2022Completed the Swift Water rescue Technician Course with Max last week and it was fantastic! The course prep work was... read moreCompleted the Swift Water rescue Technician Course with Max last week and it was fantastic! The course prep work was presented in a way that was engaging and accessible. The course itself had a very well laid out progression on the skills we learned each day. Max was an excellent teacher, very supportive and encouraging. I would gladly attend any other Boreal River training in the future! read lesscaralynn Nault 06 Jun 2022
- These guys are tops - they know their material, and keep up a great level of energy (even when freezing... read moreThese guys are tops - they know their material, and keep up a great level of energy (even when freezing cold and raining). My 14 year old son was as interested and engaged as the dads in the crew, as were newer and more seasoned paddlers, and everyone in-between. Will be back for more certs. Thanks Danny & co! read lessShaughn McArthur 06 Jul 2020
Did my 5 day wrt course this spring. Danny and the instructors do a fantastic job, keeping the course extremely... read moreDid my 5 day wrt course this spring. Danny and the instructors do a fantastic job, keeping the course extremely informative and interactive. Couldn’t recommend it more! read less
I did my whitewater rescue technician and wilderness first responder certs with Boreal and thoroughly enjoyed both. Danny was especially... read moreI did my whitewater rescue technician and wilderness first responder certs with Boreal and thoroughly enjoyed both. Danny was especially good explaining concepts so that even a relative novice such as myself could understand. The courses were in-depth, challenging without being overwhelming, and found creative ways to remain COVID safe without sacrificing learning. I would absolutely recert with them. read lessRobyn F 04 Jun 2021 - Took WRT last weekend with Matt from Boreal. One of the most engaging and useful outdoor courses I've taken -... read moreTook WRT last weekend with Matt from Boreal. One of the most engaging and useful outdoor courses I've taken - on task, fun, and lots of skills covered. Really worth the money. read lessHannah McVean 06 May 2022
these guys know their stuff, and maintain lots of energy throughout their courses. definitely recommend to anyone looking to build... read morethese guys know their stuff, and maintain lots of energy throughout their courses. definitely recommend to anyone looking to build their confidence in and around whitewater read less
This course/training is an eye opener you’ll gain a lot more respect for any kind of water! Definitely recommend this... read moreThis course/training is an eye opener you’ll gain a lot more respect for any kind of water! Definitely recommend this for anyone who’s using kayaks/boat/ canoes. You’ll never know what you might learn or need to actually use these skills. I enjoyed the two days it was awesome!! read less
- Awesome class!! We had Julian has an instructor and he made our time at Boreal a a great learning opportunity.... read moreAwesome class!! We had Julian has an instructor and he made our time at Boreal a a great learning opportunity. We've been taught a lot (long days, be advised!) and we practiced, practiced and practiced. I always felt that the crew was safe and listened to. Our questions were addressed and the information was passed on simply and effectively. I'll be back for sure! read lessLes Flavoureux 01 Jul 2020This is the second whitewater rescue course I've taken with Boreal -first in Ottawa and now in Squamish - and... read moreThis is the second whitewater rescue course I've taken with Boreal -first in Ottawa and now in Squamish - and every time it's excellent. Their instructors are so knowledgeable and have put a lot of thought into what and how they teach. Great course for building confidence and experience in whitewater - I'll definitely take it again. read lessStephanie Hewson 09 Jul 2020
I have taken Wilderness 1st Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician with Boreal and have been extremely impressed with both. Their... read moreI have taken Wilderness 1st Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician with Boreal and have been extremely impressed with both. Their courses are very well-organized and staff are highly knowledgeable and skilled teachers. In particular, I valued the hands-on repetitions of practical skills. There is no unsupported theory with Boreal. Every lesson involves actual practice in as real a setting as possible. Their whitewater courses are especially known for this. read less