All Qualifications

NZRA Grade 2 Raft Guide

Assesses the competency of a raft guide at the Grade 2 level, covering raft guiding and river rescue. Candidates must complete both the Raft Guiding Assessment and the River Rescue Unit.

Enrolment fee

$150.00

Assessment units

21

Assessment Units

You will be assessed on the following competency areas.

1. River & Industry Knowledge

Verbal assessment of the candidate's knowledge of river conditions, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.

Water catchment & weather for trip section
How is flow info accessed, and what are min/max cut-offs?
River section info (entry, exit, hazards, consents)
Emergency exits and first aid protocols
Comms equipment and blind spots
Process of logging intentions
Role of WorkSafe/auditing, accident/incident reporting
NZRA's role and scope of this Guide Award
Role of an Auditor

2. Trip Prep & Equipment Management

Demonstrates knowledge and competency in pre-trip preparation and equipment management.

Pre-trip guide meeting (health forms, weather/flow check, SMS limits)
Gear selection (Rescue Equipment, Guide Equipment, Client Equipment)
Trailer Loading (Safely Loaded, Secured)

3. Trip Briefing & Client Screening

Demonstrates competency when instructing clients on trip expectations and screening for fitness.

Run Introductions
Outline Trip
Set Expectations
Checks Clients needs/Abilities
Brief on gear
Risk/Hazard disclosure

4. Safety Briefing

Safety brief delivered to clients covering all required safety information.

Foot Entrapments
Swim Positioning (positive/defensive)
Throw bagging
Flip Potential and actions
River signals
Swimmer Recovery (T-Grip Rescue, lapel rescue)
Specific River Hazards

5. Client Training

Client training including positioning, skills instruction, and checks for understanding.

Client Positioning
Rafting Skills (holding paddle, commands, strokes, weight shift)
Practices, checks for understanding, and gives feedback

6. Guiding Skills

Demonstrates effective raft guiding skills on the water.

Guide paddle strokes
Ferry glides (forward/backwards)
Catching eddies and emergency stops
Rapid lines
Raft control (with and without crews)
Crew commands (High-sides & Low-sides, clarity and timing of calls)
Client Safety (Timing of Hold On's Get Downs)
Wrap avoidance / dislodging stuck raft
Technical manoeuvring
Maintain spacing/order
Communicate with other guides (Whistles, Signals, Talking)
Placement of raft for rescue

7. Raft Flip Management

Demonstrates competency in managing raft flips including client safety and re-entry.

Flip drill execution
Client management during flip
Re-entry techniques

8. Hazard Management

Can explain or demonstrate competency in identifying and managing hazards.

Hazard identification
Risk mitigation strategies
Emergency response procedures

9. Professionalism

Demonstrates courteous and professional conduct throughout the trip.

Demonstrated courteous/professional conduct
Communicates effectively with the group

10. Post Trip

Demonstrates competency with post-trip procedures and debrief.

Equipment check and pack-down
Client debrief
Incident/trip reporting

11. River Features

Can describe and identify river features relevant to rafting.

Identify and describe river features

12. Hydrology

Demonstrates knowledge of hydrology and water behaviour.

Hydrology knowledge and competency

13. Raft Construction

Knowledge of raft construction, components, and maintenance.

Raft construction knowledge

14. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Knowledge and correct use of personal protective equipment.

PPE knowledge and correct use

15. Knots

Demonstrates required knots and can explain their limitations.

Demonstrated knots and explained limitations

16. Signals

Knowledge and use of river signals.

River signal knowledge and use

17. River Rescue Fundamentals

Core river rescue competency and knowledge.

River rescue fundamental competency

18. Throwbagging

Throwbag deployment and rescue skills.

Throwbag deployment and accuracy

19. Swimming Rescues

Swimmer rescue techniques including contact rescues.

Swimming rescue techniques

20. Raft Flipping (Rescue Context)

Raft flip management in a rescue context.

Raft flipping in rescue context

21. Rope Systems

Setup and use of rope systems for river rescue.

Rope system setup and use