NZRA Grade 4/5 Raft Guide Endorsement

Assesses the competency of a raft guide at the Grade 4/5 level.

Enrolment fee

$750.00incl. GST

Assessment units

Before you enrol

What this award needs, and what comes with it:

River Rescue Endorsement
Nothing to do and nothing more to pay — your assessor signs off the 8 River Rescue units alongside this award. If you already hold it, it won’t be assessed again.

How endorsements build on each other · River Rescue course dates

Assessment Units

You will be assessed on the following competency areas.

1. River & Industry Knowledge

Verbal assessment at Grade 4/5 standard.

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 at Grade 4/5 standard.

Participate in 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 4/5 standard.

Clear client/guide introductions

Outline Trip

Set Expectations

Checks Clients needs/abilities

Client gear adjustment - checking for correct fit and continuously assessed throughout river tour

Risk/Hazard disclosure

4. Safety Briefing

Safety brief at Grade 4/5 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 4/5 standard.

Client Positioning

Rafting Skills (holding paddle, commands, strokes, weight shift)

Practices, checks for understanding, and gives feedback

6. Guiding Skills

On-water guiding at Grade 4/5 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 management at Grade 4/5 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 - Safely managing customers, guides and equipment through a portage scenario with clear communication

8. Professionalism

Professional conduct at Grade 4/5 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 4/5 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

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 at Grade 4/5 standard.

Emergency management competency - explain and/or demonstrate management of an emergency scenario