Build on your previous training to advance your skills. Get 3 full days of hands-on practice and challenging simulations. Gain experience and confidence performing effective rescues with limited resources when river running.
This course is for those with current Whitewater Rescue (WWR) II, Swiftwater Rescue, or equivalent certification who would like to upgrade to Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) III.
You’ll do a pre-course prep assignment to help you refresh your skills and knowledge.
Get 10 – 15 % off through multi-student specials and pro-deals.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain experience and confidence through 3 full days of drills and challenging simulations
- Get tons of hands-on practice with professional instructors, a great learning environment, and a well-run course
- Review and refresh your existing skills and add more techniques to your rescue ‘toolbox’
- Increase your proficiency carrying out effective rescues with limited resources when river running
Take away materials
- Waterproof course manual: Whitewater Rescue Field Guide
- Certification card
- Practical evaluation record sheet
- Whitewater Rescue Technician sticker
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
- Quick release safety harness and ‘live bait’ rescue
- Rescue of panicked subjects
- Shallow water crossing techniques
- Knots, anchors, and basic tensioning systems
- ‘Strainer’ swim – This is not done in the WRT-Recert or Bridge course. It is expected that you have done this awareness-building activity in your introductory whitewater or swiftwater rescue course
Advanced Skills
- Line crossings
- Transportation systems
- Advanced anchors and compound mechanical advantage systems
- Supervised swim in a hole and hole rescue
- Advanced swimming, throwing, and ‘live-bait’ rescues
Rescue problems & scenarios
- Advanced foot and body entrapment
- Canoe, kayak, and raft pins and wraps
- Team rescue drills and extended simulations
Course format and overview
Pre-course prep
Once registered, you’ll be emailed the Preparation Guide with full instructions and resources. You can work on this offline and it will likely take around 4 hours.
By learning the pre-course prep material beforehand, we can spend more time during your course 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 some days can go until 6:30pm.
Attendance is mandatory
Attendance for 100% of class time is mandatory. If you cannot make a session you must get 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
One of the most valuable aspects of Boreal River Rescue – Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) certification is that it includes a practical evaluation. This proves that an individual holding the certification has demonstrated competency with their river rescue skills and not simply attended a workshop.
The assessment takes place on the river in a supportive, fun, and professional environment with the goals of evaluation, review, and continued learning. Students will get multiple chances to demonstrate competency with their skills. To achieve the WRT Level III certification students need to:
- Attend all sessions and participate throughout the course
- Demonstrate an understanding of river safety and river rescue skills
- Pass the practical evaluation on the last day.
Your certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
Recertification as a Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT)
You can recertify your Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) III certification by taking the 3-day Recertification (WRT-Recert) course within 3 years of your last certification. You can also re-take the 5-day course if you would like even more practice.
Recertification and upgrade: 3-day Recert/Bridge or 5-day WRT course
To successfully recertify or upgrade to your 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 three years since your last course. We recommend taking the complete 5-day WRT course if you would like more supervised practice time, if you haven’t spent very much time around rivers since your last course, or if you aren’t able to perform the skills outlined in the pre-course prep 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 (three days total) for $12 CAD.
- Whitewater rescue PFD (personal flotation device) with quick-release harness. Needs to be in good condition and fit properly. You can rent a rescue PFD from us for the whole course (three 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 (three 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
Course equivalents chart
Boreal River Rescue course: Whitewater Rescue (WWR) Level II
Equivalent courses:
- River Safety and Rescue
- Swiftwater Rescue Operations – Rescue 3 International
- Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Operations – Rescue Canada
- Rescue for River Runners 1 – (r3rec)
Boreal River Rescue course: Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) Level III
Equivalent courses:
- Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT) – Rescue 3 International
- Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Standard – Rescue Canada
- Level 5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Tech – American Canoe Association
- Rescue for River Runners Professional (r3pro)
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 WRT-Bridge courses
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
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
- 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 2020I 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 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
- Great 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 2023Ten 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 lessthese 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
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
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 2022I have taken three whitewater rescue courses with Boreal River and they have all been excellent! The team is a... read moreI have taken three whitewater rescue courses with Boreal River and they have all been excellent! The team is a wealth of knowledge, enthusiastic, supportive, and fun. I would recommend anyone who spends time on rivers to take their course, it is an invaluable resource! 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 2021This 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 2020Boreal River Rescue provides a great program. Having just recertified my whitewater rescue technician, the course met and surpassed expectations.... read moreBoreal River Rescue provides a great program. Having just recertified my whitewater rescue technician, the course met and surpassed expectations. It provided a great refresher on skills & also provided new information to help me grow. I find some recertification courses don't go beyond the minimum required for the recertification. I have found that Boreal River Rescue provides a refresher on skills but also builds on knowledge helping participants to continue to grow. The instructors are great and provide a fun and entertaining environment. I highly recommend taking whitewater rescue courses with Boreal River Rescue! read less
I took a whitewater safety course specific to river surfers. The instructors were very qualified and took the time... read moreI took a whitewater safety course specific to river surfers. The instructors were very qualified and took the time to teach us many different rescue techniques. Overall amazing experience! read lessSarina Daigle 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 2021Une 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 lessWe just completed the women's only whitewater river rescue course with Arianna and Sofia in Ottawa. It was excellent! Lots... read moreWe just completed the women's only whitewater river rescue course with Arianna and Sofia in Ottawa. It was excellent! Lots of skill building in a safe and warm atmosphere. Our instructors really knew their stuff but they also had the soft skills as well! Highly recommend this course! read lessKristin Jefferies 13 Jun 2023- Took the two day Whitewater Rescue Certification course and had a phenomenal experience. Instructors were very professional and approachable. The... read moreTook the two day Whitewater Rescue Certification course and had a phenomenal experience. Instructors were very professional and approachable. The course was fun and I feel much more confident in whitewater as well as performing rescues in emergency situations. Thanks! read lessOlivia Perryman 13 Sep 2017Great 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 2018Took my WRT recert this past weekend on the Magnetewan river and it lived up to everything Boreal is known... read moreTook my WRT recert this past weekend on the Magnetewan river and it lived up to everything Boreal is known for: amazing hands-on instruction, realistic simulations with in-depth debriefs, and instructors with a wealth of experience and a genuine joy for the subject they're teaching.Grant Bowles Conover 30 May 2019
Wouldn't take a WRT anywhere else,
Thanks again Danny, Rianna, Addie, and Tai! read less - 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 2018Excellent WRT course! 4 days were packed with hands on training. Julian is an outstanding and knowledge instructor that knows... read moreExcellent WRT course! 4 days were packed with hands on training. Julian is an outstanding and knowledge instructor that knows how to teach his students. Will definitely sign up for other courses from Boreal and highly recommend them. read lessSheba Dowlatshahi 10 Aug 2020We 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 2021
- I 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 2023Took 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
- 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 2022Just completed the 2day SRT course with Julian. Couldn't agree more with all the 5star reviews; great prep, customer... read moreJust completed the 2day SRT course with Julian. Couldn't agree more with all the 5star reviews; great prep, customer service, location and extremely knowledgeable, friendly & skilled instructor! read lessDan Pascoli 09 Aug 2022
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
This was an amazing river rescue course, my friends and I really liked it and we learned so much! Also... read moreThis was an amazing river rescue course, my friends and I really liked it and we learned so much! Also a good physical challenge, loved the intensity + getting to learn more about hydrology. It was so much fun! Would definitely recommend, 10/10 read less
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- Just 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 2023Completed 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
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
- Our crew from BCIT had a blast on the river. I feel much more confident navigating rivers now. Matt was... read moreOur crew from BCIT had a blast on the river. I feel much more confident navigating rivers now. Matt was fantastic at making us feel safe and explaining concepts while simultaneously making the day really fun! Can't wait to apply this in the field:) read lessHannah T 04 May 2023I 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 2018
- 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
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