Fall Swiftwater course

General Details

Ríos to Rivers is offering a Swiftwater training and leadership course on the Trinity River, October 22 - 25, 2026.

This course combines hands-on swiftwater rescue training, leadership development, and civic engagement to help students build the skills and knowledge to support safe paddling, strong river communities, and healthy rivers.

Participants will complete training aligned with American Canoe Association (ACA) Swiftwater Rescue Skills standards while exploring the challenges facing the Trinity River and opportunities to support its future.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off

Drop-off:

  • Date: Thursday, October 22

  • Time: 5:00 pm

  • Location: Skunk Point Campground (location could change on the Trinity River depending on availability of camps)

Pick-up:

  • Date: Sunday, October 25

  • Time: 4:00 pm

  • Location: Skunk Point Campground (location could change on the Trinity River depending on availability of camps)

* Please reach out to ptw@riostorivers.org if you are looking to connect with other families to carpool to this course or have other transportation questions.

Swiftwater 101

Delivered in alignment with American Canoe Association (ACA) standards, this course introduces students to the ACA Swiftwater Rescue curriculum through hands-on instruction, practical scenarios, and skills assessment.

Students will develop foundational rescue skills focused on personal safety, hazard awareness, and assisting paddlers in distress. Training will include individual and team-based scenarios, including higher-risk situations involving strainers and entrapments.

Participants will have the opportunity to earn an ACA Swiftwater Rescue Skills certificate of completion.

2026 FORMS

If you have not participated in a Ríos to Rivers program in 2026 you will need to fill out the forms below.

Liability + Media Release

Student Conduct Policy

Medical Background

Please fill out the following by October 10th, you will not be able to attend Paddle Tribal Waters Swiftwater course without submitting these. Please reach out to PTW@riostorivers.org if you have any questions or concerns:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Packing List

General:

  • 1 large duffle bag

  • 2 water bottles with your name on them

  • 1 watch with an alarm (you will be responsible for getting yourself up in the morning to be on time for breakfast and should not count on a cell phone for an alarm)

Camping:

  • Mess kit (plate, bowl, spoon, fork, mug)

  • Sleeping bag

  • Sleeping pad (able to be compressed down to a small size and packed for our

  • multi-day river trip)

  • Tent

  • Headlamp and extra batteries

  • Toothbrush + essential toiletries

  • Medications

Footwear:

  • Sandals or flip-flops (sports-mode strap preferred)

  • Closed-toe water shoes that don’t fall off in the water (these can be old running shoes; Crocs do NOT count)

Clothes:

  • 3 t-shirts or tanks

  • 1 long-sleeve quick-dry thermal shirt

  • 1 pair of quick-dry thermal pants-

  • 1 pair of long pants (jeans or similar)

  • 1 swimsuit

  • Bandana

  • Underwear — enough for 3 days

  • 2–3 pairs of socks

Heat and Cold:

  • Rain jacket

  • Warm jacket (fleece or sweatshirt)

  • Hat/beanie

  • Sun hat

  • the water)

  • Chapstick and sunscreen

Optional:

  • Camera

  • Book

  • Games/cards

  • Small personal first-aid kit (with splinter removal and blister supplies)