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Southwest Rescue Courses

Whitewater Rescue Technician – Recreational – Pine River, CO – 05/08/2027

By August 22, 2026No Comments

Whitewater Rescue Technician – Recreational
Pine River, CO • May 8, 2027

Registration

$300 due upon registration
Course starts May 8, 2027

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Course Provider

Rescue 3 International

Full Dates: May 8, 2027 – May 9, 2027
Duration: 2 days (16 hours)
Price: $300

The Whitewater Rescue Technician – Recreational course is designed for recreational paddlers with existing river experience, to provide you with the necessary skills to perform rescues in whitewater river situations.

Course Description

The Rescue 3 International Whitewater Rescue Technician – Recreational (WRT-Rec) course is for people who find themselves on or around the river for recreational purposes. This two day course consists of intensive training using techniques and simple equipment to assess and perform river rescues. The emphasis of the class is on fast, low-tech and improvised rescue techniques.

Fire and rescue personnel should take the NFPA-compliant Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician (SRT) course.

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • in good physical condition

**This course does NOT meet the requirements for NFPA 1670 Standard and does NOT qualify as a prerequisite for Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced (SRTA).

Location and Logistics

Pine Song Tree Farm
12758 County Road 501
Bayfield, CO 81122
United States

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This location is the private property of Ken and Lois Carpenter.  PLEASE be very respectful by driving less than 15 mph and staying on the roadways.

Directions from CR 501:

  • Drive approximately 1/2 mile to an intersection.
  • Turn right and follow the road down toward the river.
  • Turn around the sharp right-hand turn and continue past the cabin to the covered patio area.
  • Park at the covered patio area, and NOT at the cabin.

Location Downloads

Lead Instructor

Aaron Kent

Aaron Kent is the owner and lead instructor for Southwest Rescue. Aaron has been working in first response and outdoor education since 2010. He is a Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer in Ropes, Water, and Ice Rescue, and is an Instructor Trainer for the Wilderness Medical Training Center International. He is an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities nationwide and has worked in international public health and expedition leadership for most of his professional career. He is also the regional director for the Southwest Region of Rescue 3 International.

When not teaching courses, Aaron has an obsession with whitewater paddle boarding and any other sport that gets him into the beautiful backcountry of the San Juan Mountains. He serves on the La Plata County Search and Rescue Team and is a Firefighter/EMT with the Durango Fire Protection District. He has a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Education and is passionate about cross-cultural experiences.