Training Scheme Flowchart

Click on the Flow Chart Above to Enlarge.

Training Scheme Flow Chart Breakdown

6 Day Raft Guide Training Course

The course is the foundation on which the award structure is built. Until the SRA joined the IRF, no one was exempt from the course. The only people except from the course are people who have sat an IRF 6 day course and have a Log booked signed by an IRF Trainer to say they have sat the course. The course is unique in so much as it caters for all degrees of experience and knowledge, placing the candidate within the scheme at a level that is commensurate with their experience and performance on the course.

The course is designed to provide candidates with all the basic knowledge, skills and techniques required to raft rivers.

People coming with qualifications from IRF member Countries that run recognized IRF programmes are exempt from the course but require to provide proof of qualification and undertake an in house training and familiarisation period with the company they raft with prior to taking sole charge of a raft with passengers on any river.

Any guide holding a non IRF recognised qualification is required to sit the 6 Day Raft Guide Training Course.

It is possible to come out of the 6 Day Training course with more than just a Level 1 if the candidate has shown their ability and has relevant logged experience.

Restricted Category

Levels 2- 3 within the training scheme fall into two categories, restricted and unrestricted. The restricted category dictates that the guide qualification is only valid on water up to and including Class 3. The unrestricted category dictates that the guide qualification is valid on any class of water within the scope of the guide’s personal experience.

A guide holding a restricted qualification may only seek advancement to the next level in the training scheme as restricted. If the Guide wishes to advance unrestricted the unrestricted status must be gained at the current level first.

A Guide holding an unrestricted qualification may put himself or herself forward for advancement in either category.

Qualifications

As stated above, the qualifications come in two categories, restricted and unrestricted. However, the breakdown of each is the same.

Level 1 Trainee Guide

At this level the guide has completed the 6 day RGTC and has been assessed as requiring more experience prior to advancement to level 2. The Guide will be given information on the areas required to work on and given a broad outline of the experience required prior to advancement. This experience should be logged and is only a recommendation and the Guide should only present for advancement when ready. A Level 1 Guide may only guide a raft if there is another guide of level 2 or greater in the raft to supervise.

Level 2 Raft Guide

At this level the Guide may take sole charge of guiding a raft within a flotilla of rafts under the control of a Level 3 Trip Leader. In the event of a single raft trip, the raft must be helmed by a Level 3 Guide and the raft must be accompanied by a safety kayak or boat.

The safety kayaker or boater must be of a personal standard appropriate to the water being run and have trained in boat to swimmer and shore based rescue techniques.

A Level 2 Guide may lead trips on Class 1 water.

To achieve Level 2 Guide status a level 1 guide must have gained and logged the recommended experience and successfully complete a 1 day technical workshop and a practical assessment.

It is possible to be awarded the Level 2 Guide award at the 6 day RGTC. Although this is a rare occurrence unless pre course experience is proven..

A Level 2 ® Guide wishing to advance to Level 2 unrestricted must gain the appropriate experience in Class 4+ water.

A Level 2 ® may progress to Level 3 ® after having logged the appropriate amount of trips, see flow chart.

Level 3 Trip Leader

At this stage the Guide may take charge of a flotilla of rafts on the appropriate class of water. (Class 3 and below if qualification is restricted.) The Trip Leader is responsible for overseeing the whole trip.

It is possible to be awarded the Level 3 Guide award at the 6 day RGTC. If relevant experience is shown as logged and skills are demonstrated during the course. Otherwise the route of this level is as per the flow chart. To get from Level 2 to 3 the candidate must sit a 1 Day Technical Assessment and Practical Assessment. He or she will be assessed on their group and organisational skills.

A Level 3 ® Guide wishing to advance to Level 3 unrestricted must gain the appropriate experience in Class 4+ water and sit a 1 day Technical Assessment and Practical Assessment.

A Trip Leader will be expected to possess advanced rafting knowledge and skills, excellent communicative skills and solid organisational skills.

Level 4 Raft Guide Trainer

At this stage the guide may instruct on SRA/ IRF approved courses under the direction of a Level 5 Senior Trainer and Assessor. In exceptional circumstances the Level 4 Trainer may be permitted to run a course without a Level 5 overseeing. Such approval will only be granted by the Training Officer once discussed in Committee.

The process of advancement from Level 3 to Level 4 is outlined in the flow chart, it is a requirement that the candidate helps to organise and run two 6 Day RGTC to include all classroom work. He/ she must also help out on 2 Practical and Technical Assessments. Once the Level 4 requirements are met the Training Officer will propose that the committee appoint the Guide to Level 4 status.

Level 5 Senior Trainer and Assessor

At this level the guide may direct all forms of SRA/ IRF approved Raft Guide Training.

The Level 5 Guide may assess at all levels within the Training Scheme and may also be required to carry out Centre appraisals.

A potential Level 5 must be nominated by at least 2 Level 5 Trainers before committee appointment is made. The Candidate may be required to submit in writing what they will bring to the SRA Training scheme and may be asked to submit a written project or work to add and develop the Training Scheme.