While our Trip Details PDF is a highly refined document that answers most questions about our rowing schools, you may have some more questions on your mind. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear about our Class III Rowing School.
Can I share a raft with my Friend/Partner/Child?
Unfortunately, no. In this course you’ll be rowing your own raft and we don’t allow passengers in that raft while you are learning.
My Friend/Partner/Child wants to join the trip, but doesn’t want instruction or to row a boat. Is this allowed?
Yes! Please reach out to the office to confirm that have room on the trip. Please note that they will be riding in an oar raft with one our guides and they may not be near you during the day. You will definitely be together at camp and at lunch.
Is there a minimum age?
We don’t have official age limits for our rowing schools. Please note that all students need to be able to row a boat down the Rogue River for the entire 5 day school. If you are thinking about having your child join please give us a call in the office to discuss if it is appropriate or not.
Do you provide camp chairs?
Yep! We have a chair at camp for everyone. There are no chairs available at lunch.
Can I bring my own dry bag instead of using yours?
Absolutely! Our gear boats carry all of the camp/kitchen gear as well as the communal tent dry bags with tents in them. Students generally carry their dry bag and other personal gear in their raft. If you are rowing a cataraft we can put your dry bag in a gear boat.
What is the camping you provide like?
We can provide tents, sleeping bags, and pads. Check out our camping gear blog for more details.
What should I pack for clothes?
Our Trip Details PDF has a great packing list. If after reading that, you’re looking for more direction, check out our packing list blog for some great tips.
Can I bring my Cot or a second dry bag?
Yes, if you rig it in the boat you are rowing. Please don’t forget to bring straps to tie it down!
I’m bringing my own boat. Can I use your transportation back to Galice?
If you want us to transport your raft back to Galice you’ll need to deflate your raft and disassemble your frame to get into our vehicles. If you want to avoid doing this, consider having your car shuttled from Galice to Foster Bar.
We also ask that if you’re using our transportation back to Galice you have minimal extra gear on your personal raft.
I’m bringing my own raft/gear. Do I still need to come to the meeting at Galice?
Yep! There will be plenty of NWRC guides at the boat ramp, so your raft won’t be left unattended while you are away.
How can I get from the Medford airport to Galice?
Either renting a car or taking a taxi are your two best options. If you decide to take a taxi make sure to call a few days ahead of time to book and for current pricing. Make sure to make a plan to get back after the trip ahead of time as there is no cell phone service or wifi at Galice.
- Town and Country Taxi (541) 476-7773
- Tic Tock Taxi – (541) 727-7791
- Anywhere Express – (541) 326-9969
What boats are available for rent?
We have rafts and catarafts from SOTAR, Wing, and AIRE that range from 12’ to 14’. We have found that this range of boat sizes works best for learning. Many people seem to find learning in a raft a little easier, but catarafts are a great option as well.
I’m renting a boat from you all. Can I have a specific size of boat?
We hope so! Please let us know what you’d like to row and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
What is the water temperature on the Rogue (Fahrenheit)?
- May: 53º-65º
- June: 62º-69º
- August: 66º-76º
- September: 60º-76º
You can check the current and historical water temperature(up to a year) for any given day on the USGS Website.
Do I need a dry suit?
No, you do not need a dry suit and we do not have dry suits available for rent. If you are interested in renting one check out these options:
- Alder Creek in Portland.
- Oregon River Gear in Eugene.
What is the weather like?
The weather for any given week can do almost anything. The evenings and mornings are generally nice but can bit a bit cool. During the day you can generally expect temperatures to be in the 50º – 90º range.
There is a higher chance of rain or cold weather in our May/June courses. Although rain and cold weather are possible in late August and September, it is generally better than May and June.
What is the river level typically?
The Rogue is controlled by a dam so flows are generally consistent.
Spring and early summer classes typically see flows in the 3000-4000 CFS range. Fall courses tend to see flows in the 1000-2000 CFS range. Higher flows doesn’t necessarily mean more difficult rapids – just different. The Rogue River is wonderful for learning at a wide range of river levels.
What is a good course to take after the Class III Rowing School?
Check out our Class III Safety and Rescue Training. This three-day course is the perfect follow-up to our Class III Rowing School.
We also have a few online courses with lots of great content to help you continue on your whitewater education journey.
Should I sign up for the Class IV rowing School?
The Class IV Rowing School isn’t generally appropriate for most Class III Rowing School graduates. Before taking this course you should have gained experience by boating on multiple Class III rivers besides just the Class III Rowing School. For a more thorough explanation, watch this video:
Did we miss anything? If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us in the office at info@nwrafting.com. Maybe your question will be the next one added to this FAQ list!
