Guide Training Overview

BEWET Guide Training and Informed Passenger Program

Want to learn how to become a Whitewater Rafting Guide? Or just want to be more knowledgeable on the river as a passenger?

You may have seen our flyer posted around Boeing. BEWET's guide training program is designed to provide you the knowledge, skills, and practice time to master the techniques to take passengers down Class III or IV rapids. It is composed of three sessions of classroom-style learning (view curriculum), a pool session, and multiple days of on-the-river training. Our informed passengers training is the first classroom session plus the pool session.

Classroom session 1, Sunday March 4, at Boeing 2-22 is a FREE informational session for those who are considering the BEWET guide training program or members that want to be more informed passengers. It will discuss the requirements to be a guide, expectations of guides and club members, rafting gear requirements, and club overview. This is open to the public (non-members), but please register so we know how many to expect.

Classroom session 2, Sunday March 11 from 2-6pm at Guide Trainer Eric's house is a continuation of training for our guide trainees. You'll learn how to rig the boats we use, advanced paddling techniques, and knots that might be used in rescue or pinned boat situations. Classroom sessions 3 and 4 are $15 total (not per session) and are open to club members (including brand new members, by submitting the membership form with your registration form)

Pool session, Saturday March 24 from 12:30-3:00 at Hazen High School swimming pool in Renton, is also for both potential trainees and informed passengers. In the non-moving water of an indoor pool, we'll learn the paddle strokes and commands, how to throw bags, how to perform a "self rescue" to get yourself back in to the raft, how to flip rafts back over, basics of IK'ing (inflatable kayaks), and do basic knots and rope coiling. This session is $35 and is open to club members (including brand new members, by submitting the membership form with your registration form). Hazen High School in Renton at 2pm.

Classroom session 3, Sunday April 1 from 2-6pm at Guide Trainer Eric's house, will cover hydrology. You'll learn about the different types of rivers, the river classification system, and how to "read" the water, such as happy vs. frowny holes, eddies, tongues, and green water. We'll also cover what to do when things go wrong! Classroom sessions 3 and 4 are $15 total (not per session) and are open to club members (including brand new members, by submitting the membership form with your registration form).

Work Party, date TBD, is where we get the equipment ready for the rafting season! A little bit of work... and a little bit of fun too. BEWET is a volunteer-driven organization, and you'll meet many of the other guides and club members at the spring work party. Open to guides, informed passengers, and club members.

After the classroom and pool sessions, guide trainees will begin getting out on the river with supervision from the club's Guide Trainers or Senior Guides. BEWET has 8 different rivers on the schedule for this year, which provides lots of variety and opportunity to see various water volumes and geographic conditions. You're highly encouraged to make every trip you can, but you progress at your own pace through this part of training.

To register, send the Trip Registration Form and payment to "Eric Landen c/o Tina Landen" at M/S 7M-HC. Costs are $35 if attending the pool session, or $50 ($35 + $15) if attending the pool session and guide training classroom sessions. A link to our membership form is here.

Not sure if you are ready to commit to the pool session or guide training? Attend the free info session first, then decide!

For additional questions, contact our Guide Trainer Eric Landen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .