Swiftwater Boat Operator | Diamond Creek, AZ Aug 5-8, 2026

The Swiftwater Boat Operator is a 4 day course that is designed to take both novice and experienced on-water boat operators to the next level of operational proficiency. We have a 1:4 instructor craft to agency craft ratio, and this allows our team of professional trainers to lead agency operators through navigational courses with progressive challenges and objectives.

NFPA 1006 & 1670 COMPLIANT: NFPA 1006 Chapter 22 (2021 Version), USAR, FEMA

WHO THIS IS FOR: Agency personnel with response model capability of responding to flood or swift water events using powered watercraft.

ONLINE COMPONENT: No

COURSE FORMAT: We will start out on day 1 with pre-boat launch objectives in the classroom. We will be on the water all days of this course, and our first day will be spent on water moving roughly 2-3 mph, with a goal to maintain proper positioning in simulated flood water with foundational skills required for success in swift water. Day 2-4 will quickly progress to up running and down running class II and III rapids while under power as well as in “disabled mode” requiring assisted propulsion.

WHEN: August 5-8, 2026

WHERE: Diamond Creek, AZ

FIELD SITE: Colorado River

PREREQUISITES:

1. Proficient swimmer
2. Physically capable
3. Desire to learn
4. Pass online training with a minimum 80%
5. All of the necessary PPE
6. Meet all Essential Eligibility Criteria
7. All agency personnel must have previously completed a PRO-I or equivalent.
8. Agency watercraft with all necessary tool kits, spare props, fuel filters etc., You need to bring everything you would if you were responding to an actual event.
9. Meet all Utah State Boating Regulations Criteria

GEAR FOR THIS COURSE:
The welcome packet details the gear you will need for this course. As an SSI student, you get access to student pricing in the SSI Gear Shop! Once you register you’ll have access to the shop through your SSI account.

ABOUT THIS COURSE:

This Swiftwater Boat Operator course is designed and taught by professional instructors that actually work on USAR teams and recreate using motorized boats in a variety of river conditions from class I – IV. We don’t teach this course on ponds or lakes, we teach this course in very dynamic river environments designed to challenge both instructor and students to make real-time decisions and take the training to the next level. It’s a progressive course over several days, and we build on boat operation fundamentals to allow the student to gain confidence and critical driving skills with ample throttle time.