Whitewater Raft Operator Certification Training
The association organizes certification training for whitewater raft operators, as well as training for river swimming supervisors and whitewater safety.
The whitewater raft operator certification consists of 60 hours, typically spread over six course days. The training includes a theoretical component (approximately 8 hours) and a practical component (approximately 52 hours). The certification includes both a practical exam and a written theory exam, which are part of the course content.
A whitewater raft operator certificate is awarded once all parts of the training have been successfully completed. Each component is assessed separately and is eliminatory. The components of the certification are:
- rescue and safety skills (swimming in whitewater, use of a throw rope, righting a raft, and re-entering the raft)
- control of the raft and group management in whitewater
- briefing customers on whitewater rafting (the skipper’s briefing)
- theory exam
The training material used is the book Whitewater Rafting and Paddling (ISBN 978-952-99346-1-4), which is provided to participants in electronic format. River swimming supervisor training is included as part of the whitewater raft operator training.
Participation in the training requires good physical fitness, swimming ability (at least 200 meters continuously while wearing paddling equipment), and a suitable state of health.
The criteria for issuing the certificate are as follows:
- at least 18 years of age (the training may be started up to three months before turning 18)
- completion of First Aid Level 2 (EA2) or other first aid training of an equivalent level
(missing first aid training does not prevent completion of the whitewater raft operator certification or issuance of the certificate; valid first aid training is required when working as a whitewater raft operator) - swimming ability; the whitewater raft operator swimming test (swimming in whitewater and towing a swimmer while wearing paddling equipment) is conducted during the course
- suitability for the role of a whitewater raft operator
- the person must be sufficiently responsible that one would trust them with their own children as passengers in the raft
- successful completion of all course components
- successful completion of the written exam
- mandatory attendance throughout the entire training
- suitable state of health
Instructors
Tornio
Mika Lähdekorpi
040 5197945
mika.lahdekorpi@gmail.com
Kuusamo
Jussi Poutanen
0400 321588
rukaraft@gmail.com
Kuusamo
Martti Latva-Kurikka
050 5302149
mlatvakurikka@gmail.com
Muonio
Jouni Pietikäinen
040 7777286
jouni@harriniva.fi
Rovaniemi
Oula-Matti Peltonen
040 754613
oula-matti.peltonen@santasport.fi
Rovaniemi
Vepe Okkonen
040 4865476
vepe@lentojatka.fi
Joensuu
Pekka Sahama
050 5365831
pekka@sudensuu.fi