Courses and Workshops
Full Training Programs
Beginner Raft Guide Course (IRF Certified)
This 5-day beginner course is designed for aspiring raft guides and is certified by the International Rafting Federation (IRF). Participants will gain essential river skills including whitewater swimming techniques, throw bagging, rescue techniques, knots and mechanical advantages, raft guiding fundamentals, strokes, group management, flipped raft procedures, raft repairs, and trip and emergency planning. After completing the course, graduates can continue training at our facilities while our commercial trips are running, allowing them to build real-world experience in a professional rafting environment.
Minimum 18 years old
Confident swimmer
Perfect for candidates who love nature and are motivated by teamwork in an outdoor, hands-on environment
Candidates must be willing to take responsibility for the safety and well-being of guests while navigating the river.
River gear can be rented - pre-book!
IRF Workshops
If you are an experienced Raft Guide, Trip Leader or Safety Kayaker and would like to improve your competency following the IRF standards, then a Workshop is the best option to get Certify by the IRF which not only will certify you, but also gives you job opportunities through work-offer on-line from Outfitters all over the world.
There’re more and more outfitters that have dropped their trust on the IRF standards and use the certification as one of their job requirements.
Rafting Guide up to level 4 (RG4)
Safety Raft or Kayak up to level 4 (SR4-SK4)
Raft Trip Leader up to level 4 (RTL4)
Rafting Instructor up to level 4 (RI4)
Safety Kayak Instructor up to level 4 (SKI4)
IRF Assessments
If you feel confident enough with your knowledge and you fullfill your requirements, you can take an assessment to get your IRF certification.
 The International Rafting Federation certification is valid for 3 years.
IRF Certification Fees (USD):
- $40 Raft Guide – RG
- $40 Safety Raft/Kayak – SR/SK
- $70 Trip Leader – RTL
- $120 Instructor – RI/SKI
- $15 Second Certification e.g. RTL+SK=70+15 = $85
- $15 Recertification every 3 years
How can you renew it?
Renew your First Aid Certification not older than 3 years
Update your Logbook that completes the requirements
Pay your renewal fee $15
Send all your documents to your Instructor
And you're all done!
To Upgrade your level, you must take a full assessment
Whitewater Rescue Courses
I run professional whitewater and swiftwater rescue training programs across México and nearby countries through Raftguide-Training.com, and in Europe through Karma Turismo Activo. My work focuses on delivering internationally aligned, scenario-based rescue education for professionals operating in dynamic river and canyon environments.
The courses are designed for rescue services, outdoor professionals, and expedition guides who require practical, field-tested skills for real-world incidents. Training emphasizes risk management, decision-making under pressure, teamwork, and efficient rescue systems adapted to local river conditions.
Levels of Training Offered
Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT)
Designed for rescue services and emergency responders, this course covers swiftwater dynamics, hazard recognition, rescue swimming, rope systems, boat-based rescues, and operational safety for flood and river rescue scenarios.
- 24 contact hours (3 days)
- Must be a confident swimmer
- Minimum age: 18
Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Technician - Water (SRTA-W)
This course is for existing Swift Water and Flood Rescue Technicians looking at advanced rescue situations in floods and river environment including search managment.
- 18 contact hours (3 days)
- Must be an existing SRT
- Minimum age: 18
Whitewater Rescue Technician – Professional (WRT-Pro)
Created for river guides, canyoning guides, and river kayakers, this course focuses on self-rescue, team-based rescues, entrapment management, mechanical advantage systems, and incident prevention in commercial and expedition environments.
- 18 contact hours (3 days)
- Minimum age: 18
- Confident swimmer, with experience of water-based activities (eg rafting, canoeing, kayaking etc)
Advanced Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRTA)
An advanced upgrade from WRT-Pro, this course develops higher-level technical rescue skills, complex scenarios, leadership under stress, advanced rope and boat systems, and problem-solving in challenging, high-consequence environments.
- 24 contact hours (4 days)
- Must be an existing WRT-Pro
All courses are delivered with a strong emphasis on hands-on practice, realistic scenarios, and professional standards, supporting safer operations and higher competence for river professionals in both the Americas and Europe.
Become an IRF Instructor!
The IRF Instructor Certification Course is designed for experienced rafting guides and safety kayakers who aspire to become certified instructors under the International Rafting Federation. This advanced-level program focuses on developing the technical, instructional, and leadership skills required to train, assess, and mentor future raft guides and safety personnel in accordance with IRF standards.
Participants will refine their personal paddling and safety skills while learning how to effectively teach, demonstrate, and evaluate core rafting competencies. Emphasis is placed on risk management, rescue techniques, instructional methodology, and professional judgment in dynamic river environments. The course also addresses group management, communication, and decision-making under pressure, ensuring candidates are prepared to lead training programs in a wide range of river conditions.
Through a combination of classroom sessions, practical on-water scenarios, peer teaching, and formal assessments, candidates will gain a deep understanding of IRF training frameworks, assessment criteria, and ethical responsibilities as an instructor. Successful participants will demonstrate not only technical excellence, but also the ability to create safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments.
This course is ideal for seasoned rafting professionals and safety kayakers who are committed to advancing their careers, contributing to the development of high-quality river professionals, and upholding international best practices in whitewater rafting instruction.
First Aid Certification including CPR
- Minimum 16 hrs and valid for NOT longer than 3 years
Logbook or signed experience letter from employer
- 100 runs or 200 hrs operating as a Trip Leader
Vast experience of rafting in at least 2 different countries
Strong personal skills
Steps to become an Instructor
*Read more about all the steps to become an IRF Instructor here…
Instructors Update
This Instructor Update Workshop is designed for certified Rafting and/or Safety Kayak Instructors who are required to renew their certification every three years.
The update focuses on maintaining high teaching, guiding, and safety standards while allowing flexibility in how the update is completed.
Course Objectives
- Review current best practices in rafting and safety kayaking instruction
- Evaluate guiding, trip leading, and risk management skills
- Update teaching methodologies and workshop management
- Ensure instructors remain active, competent, and current in their discipline
Update Options
Option 1 – Instructor-Led Workshop (Home River Evaluation)
The candidate organizes and runs an update workshop on their home river.
Structure:
-
The candidate plans and delivers a workshop for guides and trip leaders or Safety Kayakers
-
Includes practical on-water sessions and safety scenarios
-
Guide and Trip Leader assessments are conducted by the candidate
-
I attend the workshop and evaluate the candidate’s performance as an Instructor
Evaluation Focus:
-
eaching and communication skills
-
Workshop structure and learning outcomes
-
On-water leadership and safety management
-
Assessment accuracy and professionalism
Ideal for:
Experienced instructors who are actively teaching and prefer evaluation in their local environment.
Option 2 – Instructor Update Workshop (Group Format)
The candidate attends an Instructor Update Workshop together with other instructors who require the same certification renewal.
Structure:
- Group-based update workshop led by the evaluator
- Peer teaching sessions and shared scenarios
- Practical and theoretical updates
- Individual evaluation within the group setting
Evaluation Focus:
-
Instructional skills
-
Technical and safety competence
-
Participation and professional engagement
Ideal for:
Instructors who prefer a structured group environment and peer exchange.
Certification Renewal
Upon successful completion of either option, the Instructor’s certification is renewed for an additional three years, in accordance with certification standards.
