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BACK 40: Big water, big fun!
Published
10 years agoon
Becoming a river guide
By Eric Becker Geyser Whitewater Expeditions
Preparing for whitewater season begins when the snow is still flying. Early season preparations include purchasing new gear, fixing damaged equipment, and dealing with the stack of paperwork that accompanies both Forest Service permits and Federal Department of Transportation regulations. The fun starts when our new staff arrives and we head out to the Gallatin River in early May – often when there is still snow on the banks – for some good old-fashioned initiation.
We employ about 30 full-time and part-time guides. They vary in experience and backgrounds, ranging from college students just beginning their guiding adventures to seasoned guides who have traveled the world in search of whitewater.
This season, we’ve been fortunate and have hired an extremely experienced class of new guides. From Africa to the Yukon and all over South America and Asia, these guys and gals have some great stories to tell. We not only love hearing these tales, but also appreciate the experience they bring with them to the Gallatin.
For those who don’t have previous experience, becoming a new guide takes heavy time and financial commitments. Their journey begins with five days of classroom and river instruction, learning the ins and outs of the job itself as well as the intricacies of the Gallatin River. After these five days, most new recruits seem to remember first and foremost how cold the Gallatin is compared to other rivers they have experienced.
During this training, guides focus mostly on guiding and safety skills and learn some of the history associated with the river. Guides spend the day in the water flipping rafts, swimming many of the rapids and generally becoming comfortable moving about the river with or without a raft under them. It’s tiring and cold.
If the new guides are still game after the first five days, they will then take a three-day Swiftwater Rescue Technician course. It’s a lot of fun and focuses on the more advanced and technical aspects of river rescue, including team coordination, personal safety and intricate rope techniques. If you’ve ever seen ropes strung over the top of house rock with guides zipping back and forth, you probably witnessed one of these courses.
Again, being cold is a common theme since much of the day is spent swimming in the river. To stay warm guides pile on fleece and thermals under wetsuits, and within the last five years a lot of guides have switched to using drysuits.
After the first week, new recruits will continue their training and need to fulfill an additional 60 hours on the river as a learning guide, shadowing more experienced guides and honing their technique along the way. They’re training is almost complete at this point.
The new guides who aren’t already Emergency Medical Technicians or Wilderness First Responders will finish their training with a couple more days of Wilderness First Aid training and then, if their skills are up to it, we turn them loose on the river. A new guide begins working easier sections of river to build their confidence and get used to being on their own.
We love getting to know our new guides each year and enjoy watching them develop the skills to guide on the Gallatin River. We hope everyone has a safe and fun season on the Gallatin this year.
Owner Eric Becker started Geyser Whitewater Expeditions 24 years ago and the company runs guided trips on the Gallatin from May through September. Find more information at raftmontana.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
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Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
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Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
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Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
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Verge Theater
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
Time
(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Location
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT