Cascades Flyfishing - Washington Rowing Rivers Classes - The Rowing Rivers Program

The Rowing Rivers Program was started to assist persons new to rowing rivers or individuals wanting to improve their skills. Everyone has to start somewhere and getting proper instruction is a best first step. Cascades Flyfishing provides individuals with on-the-water rowing lessons on Washington rivers. Rowing rivers is fun, challenging and an awesome experience as long as it is done safely. Day and multi-day rowing rivers classes are available tailored to suite your needs.

It is imperative that individuals gain as much understanding about rivers and their features when it comes to safely navigating Washington rivers on the oars. Knowledge in evaluating the technical nature of our Washington rivers is essential as well.

Many individuals purchase a raft or drift boat without possessing the necessary knowledge and skills to safely navigate and row the river. A significant number of folks have no prior experience and end up learning by trial and error which can be a dangerous prospect on even a relatively mundane stretch of water. If this sounds familiar, we can help.

One of the great adventures on our Washington’s rivers is rowing. In my mind, rowing rivers is as much fun as flyfishing and fly casting. Having basic knowledge will definitely improve your experience on the water.

The Rowing Rivers Program is offered as a means for individuals wanting to row Washington rivers safely. Oarspersons learn skills and techniques for rowing rivers through practical experiences under the direct supervision of an experienced whitewater guide and oarsperson.

The concepts contained in these courses outline skills and terminology applicable to rowing rivers. Gaining knowledge and river sense takes time, awareness and patience but the experience is highly rewarding.

I log over 1000 river miles each year on waters ranging from flatwater to Class IV whitewater. I would love to share my knowledge with you and assist you in improving your skills on the oars.

In these rowing classes, we want you to learn the skills necessary to evaluate and navigate these awesome Washington rivers safely. Knowledge is imparted which has been gained in rowing for flyfishing and running whitewater. Written course curriculum provided.

Course topics include:

• River and river feature terminology
• River boating terminology
• Reading rivers
• River safety
• Rowing skills
• Evaluating river flows
• Evaluating the technical nature of a particular stretch of water
• Scouting
• Recognizing potentially dangerous river features and the avoidance of such

With this training, your rowing skills should improve rapidly and you’ll be a better boater for it. I look forward to having you on the river.

Ed