Whitewater Rowing Clinics
Rowing Courses with OARS
For those looking to push their skills to the next level, OARS offers a collection of beginner whitewater rowing clinics on the Colorado, Green, Lower Salmon, the Wild & Scenic Rogue River and a one-of-a-kind (intermediate) dory school on the Lower Salmon River. During these multi-day instructional programs, private boaters, aspiring guides, and newcomers will learn how to safely pilot oar rafts and dories (dory school only) through Class II-III whitewater.
Learn to Row Your Own Raft or Dory
With river operations throughout the West, OARS runs hundreds of multi-day river trips each year that utilize oar rafts and dories. Clinics are taught by professional OARS guides with formal swiftwater rescue training and extensive guiding experience. Participants will dive into the mechanics of rowing as well as other useful river skills.
A Classroom on the River
Rowing clinics will include lessons on river hydraulics, boat rigging, packing, rope techniques and river etiquette. Participants will also receive handy tips on setting up camp and some of the best river recipes in the West.
Beginners are welcome on our Rogue River, Upper & Lower Green River, Lower Salmon River, and Colorado River Rowing Clinics. Prior experience is required to join our intermediate dory school on Idaho’s Lower Salmon River.
While OARS’ rowing clinics and dory school are ideal for anyone looking to learn something new or develop their whitewater rowing skills, our whitewater guide school programs are better suited for aspiring river guides with no prior experience.
Become a Professional river guide
If you’re interested in working toward becoming a professional river guide, and getting your foot in the door with OARS, see our Hiring and Guide School FAQs.
Find Your Perfect Trip
Rowing Clinics
Colorado River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
Lower Green River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
Upper Green River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Utah
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
Lower Salmon River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Idaho
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
Lower Salmon River Dory School
Location:
Idaho
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
18
Rogue River Rowing Clinic
Location:
Oregon
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
18 (16 with parent/guardian also in the class)
I have enjoyed two previous OARS trips so much that I decided to get a raft myself. For me it was a no brainer to utilize the OARS team to start my journey with this rowing clinic. The guides were knowledgeable and encouraging. The scenery and the river were constantly impressive. The ratio of guide to student worked well. The result was very much what I expected, which is I gained a lot of confidence while understanding I have a long way to go to be a solid rower. Whether you are a complete newbie like me or an intermediate rower wanting to hone your skills on bigger water I couldn't recommend this trip more. Thanks to everyone for providing a great experience.
Grant OARS Lower Green River Rowing Clinic guest
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