Academic Program

Master the River Reading

Our curriculum is designed under the strict standards of the IRF. We prepare you technically and mentally to lead safe commercial expeditions on the most demanding rivers.

Raft Dynamics

Raft maintenance, fundamental paddle stroke control, and effective voice commands to synchronize your commercial crew.

River Maneuvers

Advanced current reading, ferrying, eddy entries/exits, and techniques to navigate obstacles in Class II and III rapids.

Flips and Rescue

High-pressure training: Flip drills (righting the raft in current), precise throwbag deployment, and offensive whitewater swimming.

Leadership & Client Management

Commercial safety briefings, managing panicked passengers, and controlling the overall tourist experience on board.

Sernatur & IRF Regulations

Technical alignment with International Rafting Federation protocols and the Chilean legal framework for safe and legal adventure tourism.

Comprehensive Training Course

Duration: 1 Month (Weekends or Intensive).
Designed for individuals without prior experience who wish to enter the adventure tourism industry. We teach you to read the river, give commands, rescue clients, and master Class II and III rafting.

IRF Certification (Workshop)

Duration: 2 to 3 days.
Aimed at active guides who already know how to navigate. This is a rigorous assessment of your rescue skills, ropework, and raft control to grant you the International Rafting Federation credential.

Comprehensive Training: From Zero to the River

More than just a 22-day course (196 hours) on the Liucura and Trancura rivers, this is an intensive program designed to meet the NCh 2991 Standard and the Pucón Municipal Ordinance.

To work legally as a Rafting Guide, you need technical training, rescue skills, and first aid. We provide everything in a single program.

IRF
Rafting Guide
IRF Certification
Swiftwater Rescue
IRIA Certification
WAFA
First Aid
ECSI (WAFA)
NDR
LNT Monitor
Leave No Trace

Equipment

We Provide:

  • Wetsuit
  • Homologated helmet
  • Rescue PFD
  • River transport
  • Instructor per raft

You Must Bring:

  • Shoes (to get wet)
  • Windbreaker jacket
  • Neoprene socks
  • Synthetic base layer
  • No cotton clothing

Requirements & Logistics

  • Key requirement: Must be able to swim and possess physical/mental fitness suitable for adventure sports.
  • Schedule: Intensive classes from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM.
  • Not included: Meals or accommodation (proper daily nutrition is required).
  • Payments: Credit card installment options (5% fee). Spots are secured with a deposit.
Week 1

Fundamentals & Gear

Learn about raft inflation and maintenance, basic river knots, proper PFD (life jacket) fitting, and an introduction to hydrology (how water moves).

Week 2

Commands & Control

Practice fundamental paddle strokes (J-stroke, Duffek), voice commands for the crew, and maneuvers for entering and exiting the current (Eddy out / Peel out).

Week 3

Safety & Flips

The most intense module: whitewater swimming, effective throwbag deployment, and righting capsized rafts (Flip drills).

Week 4

Commercial Leadership

Simulated commercial trips. Managing difficult clients, safety briefings (Safety brief), and the final practical exam. Graduation!

IRF Workshop & Assessment

Intensive 2 to 3-day program exclusive for guides with verifiable experience. If you already know how to navigate and need to validate your competencies to work abroad (Europe, North America, etc.), this assessment grants you the international credential to operate on Class II and III rivers.

Day 1

Review & Standards

Alignment with the IRF manual. Technical review of knots, anchor systems, mechanical advantage, and international safety protocols.

Day 2

Rescue Skills Assessment

Mandatory timed tests: Throwbag deployment to a victim in current, swimming in Class II and III rapids, and righting a capsized raft in under 2 minutes.

Day 3

Assessed Guiding

Commercial navigation exam. You must guide the raft, maintain absolute control of the crew, and pass the written theoretical exam to obtain your credential.

GTE Regulations

IRF Certification Requirements

The IRF GTE credential is a competency assessment recognized in over 53 countries. To participate in the workshop, you must meet the following administrative requirements stipulated by the Federation.

You must present a Logbook or a signed/stamped letter verifying your previous descents on training rivers (Class II and III):
  • Level 2 Guide: 10 descents or 20 hours in Class II.
  • Level 3 Guide: 30 descents or 60 hours in Class III.
  • Trip Leader: Level 2 (50 descents) or Level 3 (75 descents).

Your IRF qualification has the same validity as your medical certificate (maximum 3 years). The IRF does not accept 100% online courses.
  • For Guides and Safety Kayakers: Minimum 8-hour course with CPR.
  • For Trip Leaders and Instructors: Advanced course (e.g., WAFA) minimum of 16 hours with CPR.
* You must provide a copy of a certificate valid for at least 6 months after the exam date.

Upon passing, you must pay a fee to the Federation (independent of the ChileRíos workshop cost) to issue your international credential:
  • Raft Guide / Safety Kayak: $40.00 USD
  • Trip Leader: $70.00 USD
  • Multiple certifications: The highest fee is charged + $15.00 USD for the additional one.
The following will also be required: Digital passport photo, Date of birth, and Email address.

Rafting FAQ

Everything you need to know before taking the oars.

Not directly. The training course provides the technical tools to guide and an internal certificate of approval valid for working in local companies under Sernatur registration. For the IRF, verifiable experience (logbook of runs) is required, so you will need to work a season before applying for the IRF Workshop/Assessment.

To sit for the assessment, you need:
  • To be at least 18 years old.
  • Current First Aid certificate (Ideally WAFA or higher) and CPR.
  • Verifiable Logbook with at least 30 commercial or training runs on rivers appropriate to the level you are applying for.

No. The payment to ChileRíos covers instruction, equipment use (rafts), and the IRF Instructor's assessment. If you pass, the International Rafting Federation charges a direct fee (tax) of approximately $60 USD to issue your international digital/physical credential, valid for 3 years.

Rafting requires cardiovascular effort and strength, especially for pulling swimmers back into the raft. You can take the course to learn, but if you seek to work commercially, you must commit to improving your fitness to ensure the safety of your future passengers.

The river doesn't wait. Start your career today.

Inquire about upcoming training courses and IRF workshops.

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Ready to go beyond? Complete your profile with Swiftwater Rescue

An exceptional rafting guide doesn't just know how to navigate; they know how to react. Earn your international certification in Swiftwater Rescue and become the leader that every expedition needs.

View Rescue Course