All Qualifications

NZRA Grade 3 Raft Guide

Assesses the competency of a raft guide at the Grade 3 level. Candidates must hold a current River Rescue qualification.

Enrolment fee

$250.00

Assessment units

11

Assessment Units

You will be assessed on the following competency areas.

1. River & Industry Knowledge

Verbal assessment of river conditions, industry standards, and regulatory requirements at Grade 3 level.

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

Pre-trip preparation and equipment management at Grade 3 standard.

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

Client briefing and screening at Grade 3 standard.

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

4. Safety Briefing

Safety brief covering all required information at Grade 3 standard.

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 at Grade 3 standard.

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

6. Guiding Skills

On-water guiding skills at Grade 3 standard.

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. Hazard Management

Hazard identification and management at Grade 3 standard including scouting and cover strategies.

Identify river hazards & risk
Explain line choice
Scout rapids
Plan boat order/spacing
Manage Cover Strategies - rolling cover, truck & trailer, land-based and boat orders
Portage if needed

8. Professionalism

Professional conduct including cultural and social awareness at Grade 3 standard.

Demonstrated courteous/professional conduct
Cultural and social awareness
Environmental care
River etiquette
Effective group communication: clear timing, group position, language, concise info
Demonstration and checking understanding

9. Post Trip

Post-trip procedures at Grade 3 standard.

Rounding trip off with clients
Equipment check/storage
Lost/damaged gear report
Explain/demo raft maintenance/repair
Join debrief
Report incidents/hazards as per SOPs
Reflect on feedback

10. Raft Flip Management

Raft flip management at Grade 3 standard.

Client Safety during flip
Communication with clients and the guide crew
Re-right of raft
Clean up of raft flip
Assisting with other flipped raft

11. Emergency Management

Emergency management competency at Grade 3 standard.

Emergency management competency