River Guide Course / Trip Leaders Workshop / Refresher & Assessment

GENERAL INFORMATION
The course is an APA (African Paddling Association) registered course which is recognised by SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) Rivers Governing Body and is in line with international rafting standards. The course is an intensive 3-day course where trainees get training in river safety and river environment. In conjunction with the River guide course there will also be a Trip Leaders Workshop and a refresher.

The course will be held at Bushwhacked camp, Vioolsdrift (Richtersveld Orange River). It is a practical course which has classroom lectures and then exercises to cover the lectured material. The course runs three full days where the candidates get trained and challenged in a safe environment. There will be a written exam after the course for candidates doing a River Guide assessment and Trip Leaders (Restricted)

INSTRUCTORS AND ASSESSORS

• Alain Coetzee is an APA (African Paddling Association) registered River Guide Instructor and is registered within APA as a training provider since 2014.
• Craig Eksteen is an APA Trip leaders Instructor and will be doing the Trip Leaders workshop with already qualified River guides with required logged days, valid First Aid certificate and their own safety gear. Alain will do practical assessment for Craig for the River guide Assessments; but Craig will do all the Theory exams and admin.

COST:

• River guide and Trip Leaders course fees: R3500 (includes catering, river gear, admin, logistics, logbook, training manual, rescue equipment and instructors). This includes R100 p/p to register with APA & R30 course admin fee.
• Refresher: R750 (guides that have done their course and joining to do a refresher) These candidates need to prearrange with their operators with regards to gear usage and cost.
• Assessment: R250 (includes practical test on river and written exam. These candidates must pre-arrange with Instructors in order for them to get the documentation together and they too need to organise with Operators for use of gear) an additional charge will go to APA to register of R100.

PAYMENT
Candidates can pay either cash at or before the training venue, or EFT or Direct Deposit into the following account:

• BANK: NEDBANK,
• ACC NO: 1454013931
• BRANCH: SOUTHERN PENINSULA,
• BRANCH CODE: 123209, UNIVERSAL CODE: 198765,

Please put your name and guide course dates down as reference if you are doing an EFT or Direct Deposit:
EXAMPLE: John Doe, River Guide Course, 26-30 November 2023
All Payments to be made via EFT in full, upon booking. No Cash payments accepted.

CONTACTS

Alain Coetzee-Cell: 082 4958619, Email: orangeops@felix.co.za
Craig Eksteen-Cell: 082 467 8213 Email: craig@kalahari-adventures.co.za
APA Admin: Email: info@apa.org.za

What will you get during the training?

1. Meals
2. Campsite: to pitch your tent and ablutions in campsite.
3. Logistics
4. Gear (Mohawk, paddle, PFD, helmet). Bring your own craft and gear. Eg: Croc/Kayak
5. Safety gear
6. APA Training Manual (includes checklist)
7. APA Logbook
8. Knot rope
9. Post Trip assessment
10. Certificate of attendance

To Bring

Admin:

1. Copy of ID or Passport
2. Copy of valid First aid certificate (if you have)
3. Notebook and pen
4. Own safety gear if you have (PFD, carabineers, throw rope prussic etc)
5. Own First Aid
6. Copy of Proof of payment if you have prepaid for the course.
7. Cash for snacks and soft drinks

Camping:

1. Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag, Small Pillow, head torch.
2. Toiletries: Soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, Towel or kikoi, personal toiletries and medication, insect repellent.
3. UV Sunglasses and cap or hat, 25+ SPF sun block, good lip ice.
4. Water bottle, Game energy drink. SNACKS (Sweets, chocolate, biltong.)
5. Knife, lighter, MESS kit (plastic plate, knife, fork, spoon, mug)

Clothing:

• On river: farmer brown wetsuit, costume or board shorts, long sleeve shirt, rash vest, kikoi wrap around, cap or wide brim hat, RIVER SHOES IS A MUST (tekkies, crocs, booties)
• Off river: 2x t-shirts, Shorts, tracksuit, or warm clothing for night), windbreaker, Socks and underwear, jeans, beanie/buff, warm shoes and slip slops.
• GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR.
  If you are doing an assessment, please have a look at the below document to ensure you know what is required to do the assessments and the course!!!!