The focus of the Maine River Guide Training is on how to safely lead and manage groups on technical rivers during canoe trips.  Technical rivers are defined as having Class 2 and above rapids and/or mandatory portages around falls or rapids.  This is not a white water skills clinic.  Participants should be comfortable and competent in class 2 and above white water.  You should be able to ferry, eddy out, peel out, etc.  anywhere in a set of rapidsin this level of difficulty.  Major topic area to be covered are two fold:

• Information you, as a guide, need to cover before taking clients into a white water situation
• Information you as a guide need to have relating to group management techniques, safety consideratioins, protection strategies for rapids, and judgement/decision making

PRIMARY TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

• River safety breifing
          - self rescue
          - Objective River hazar ds
          - throw bags
  • Sample stroke lessons
  • Sample river meneuvers lesson
            - ferrys
            - eddy turns
            - peel outs
            - eddy sets
            - offensive vs. defensive paddling techniques
  • Sample river reading lesson
            - eddys
            - eddy lines
            - white waves
            - dark waves
            - V's

Info to have in her/his head

1. Group management skills
         - for approaching major rapids
         - for approaching major portages
         - for easier river stretches (class 2 or below)
2. Protection systems for major rapids
         - timing
         - throw bags
         - boat based
3. Portaging
         - organizing
         - tumlines
         - one/two person lifts
         - one/two person carries
4. Lining
         - bridles
         - painter lines
         - canoe trim
5. Scouting
         - from shore
         - from eddys

Other topics - as time and interest permits:

• Fly fishing
• Lost clients
• Map and compass
• Contours and river gradients
• Canoe/camping techniques
• Poling - upstream and snubbing
• Canoe pins
         - avoiding
         - unpinning
         - haul systems
• Knots every guide should know

Dates:  June 21st -  24th
Location:  East Branch Penobscot River
Contact: Kevin or Polly at Mahoosuc Guide Services (207) 824-2073
Cost: MWGO Members $375    Non-Members $650

info@mahoosuc.com

website: http://www.mahoosuc.com/