SWIFTWATER
RESCUE
For over two decades, Astral has proudly partnered with Search & Rescue agencies worldwide to provide the best in class PFDs and footwear for professional swiftwater rescuers.
For over two decades, Astral has proudly partnered with Search & Rescue agencies worldwide to provide the best in class PFDs and footwear for professional swiftwater rescuers.
SWIFTWATER
RESCUE
For over two decades, Astral has proudly partnered with Search & Rescue agencies worldwide to provide the best in class PFDs and footwear for professional swiftwater rescuers.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
We have worked with swiftwater rescue professionals, whitewater kayakers, and raft guides to fill the needs and desires to create truly spectacular additions to any rescue equipment kit and aid rescue teams to continue to perform effectively and efficiently over countless missions.
Swiftwater Rescue Professional
Ordering FAQ :
Astral offers special pricing for legitimate working professional organizations. Click here and complete the SWR gear inquiry form. We will get back with you as soon as possible.
Select this link to view our collection of Swiftwater Rescue best sellers. VIEW THE CATALOG HERE.
Yes we frequently sell to all city, state and federal agencies. We aim to make this process as seamless as possible. Click here and complete the SWR gear inquiry form. We will get back with you as soon as possible.
Click here and complete the SWR gear inquiry form. We will get back with you as soon as possible. You can also email swr@astraldesigns.com or call 828-255-2638.
Please scroll down and meet our team of Swiftwater Rescue training professionals located throughout the US. You can also visit the ACA website to find a course near you.
Please visit this page and apply for our pro purchase program.
Astral Swiftwater Training Team :
Please meet the Astral Swiftwater Rescue Training team. These swiftwater rescue professionals are located throughout the US and are the best option to train your team in swiftwater rescue training.
Justin S. Padgett
Justin S. Padgett, MS, Paramedic, WEMT, NCOEMS Level II Instructor, serves as the Executive Director of Landmark Learning. Justin has spent nearly three decades training instructors and developing programs focused on effective education and real-world outcomes. He has served as an American Canoe Association Swiftwater Rescue Instructor since 1998 and an ACA Swiftwater Instructor Trainer (Level 5) since 2003. Justin is also an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainer and the founder of the Wilderness Swim Safety program.
Alan Cammack
Alan has been a lifelong river enthusiast. He’s the co-owner/operator of Canyon River Instruction in Colorado where he is an American Canoe Association instructor trainer for swiftwater rescue and kayak as well as an instructor for canoe, raft, and packraft. He also volunteers for the ACA.
Jordan Taylor
Jordan Taylor is the owner of Paddlesport Institute in Washington DC, which specializes in Rescue and Instructor Development. Taylor is on the American Canoe Association’s Safety & Rescue Committee and serves the ACA as a Rescue Instructor Trainer. He also teaches for NOLS and Sierra Rescue.
Don Lester
Grew up in CA running whitewater at an early age, commercial river guide on 50+ rivers in multiple countries, Firefighter/EMT, Owner of Old Growth Rescue, Lead Instructor Sierra Rescue, Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer, ITRA Instructor, IRF Assessor, ACA Level 5 Rescue Instructor and American Health and Safety Instructor.
Mike Mather
With over 35 years teaching technical rescue, Mike Mather is a highly experienced and engaging rescue professional. A Rescue 3 International and ACA Instructor Trainer Educator, he teaches worldwide in swiftwater, boat operations, PWC/RWC, and technical rope rescue. Known for his clear, unconventional style, Mike has received multiple national awards for excellence and leadership.
Karl Schmidt
Based in the mid-Atlantic and Appalachia, Karl Schmidt is the founder of Fall Line River School and a nationally recognized whitewater educator and rescue instructor. Working with ACA Paddlesports, Sierra Rescue International, and Virginia Department of Fire Programs, Karl specializes in advanced paddlesport and swiftwater rescue certification.
Elisha McArthur
Elisha McArthur has been a whitewater professional since 1999. She is an ACA L5 Raft ITE, an L4 Swiftwater Rescue IT, and an L5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. She is the co-owner/operator of Canyon River Instruction near Salida, CO and the co-founder/board president of Worldwide Women of Whitewater.
Tom Burroughs
Tom Burroughs is the Director of Ozark Safety & Rescue Educators and is an internationally recognized expert in the field of both professional and recreational Swiftwater Rescue. An award-winning multi-discipline ACA Instructor Trainer Educator, he specializes in swiftwater, cave, and wilderness rescue. Tom also leads a SAR team and develops global technical rescue curricula.
SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com
Lynsey Nunes
For 25 years, Lynsey has worked as a commercial raft guide and trained in rescue to stay ready in this dynamic & demanding field. The first splash of whitewater sparked a passion that Lynsey tries to share in her trainings to help create better prepared river enthusiasts.
Tim Warren
Tim is a Southern Ocean native who loves places that are cold, wet, remote and scary. He is a lead instructor with Sierra Rescue International, using his international guiding and teaching experience to deliver specialist water rescue courses for the US military, fire departments and search and rescue teams.
Nate Ostis
Nate Ostis began exploring rivers in 1988 and has lived, played, and worked on them ever since. He teaches courses worldwide in swiftwater rescue, wilderness medicine, expedition leadership, and risk management. Nate is an instructor for the Responder Alliance, teaching resilience, psychological first aid, and mental health. He serves his local fire department as a WEMT and is the training officer for his local Search & Rescue. Nate also authored the NOBA award-winning NOLS River Rescue Field Guide.
Jim Coffey
Jim Coffey is the founder and director of Esprit Whitewater. He is known worldwide for his acclaimed video series R3 Rescue for River Runners with over 1000000 view worldwide. He is the Chair of the ACA’s Swiftwater Rescue Committee, has taught/guided in almost 60 countries, and has had his hand in many of the more innovative techniques taught around the world.
Eric Riley
Founder and CEO of the Swiftwater Safety Institute (SSI), Eric Riley is a full-time instructor with over 25 years on the water and more than two decades of technical rescue instruction. A Master Instructor in Boat and Swift/Flood Operations, he leads SSI’s tactical division, training elite military and special operations units. Based in Jackson, Wyoming, Eric has delivered operational rescue training in 12 countries across six continents, specializing in high-risk, NFPA-compliant water rescue programs.
Pat Barry
A lifelong river professional and advocate, Pat is known in the industry for his adaptability and passion. He is an ACA Instructor in Advanced Swiftwater Rescue and Whitewater Kayaking and serves on the Safety & Rescue Committee. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, he teaches new instructors and students from around the world in swiftwater rescue, kayaking, and cpr/ first aid for the Whitewater Center.
instruction@whitewater.org
The first of its kind
Ceiba
The most comfortable lifejacket we make also happens to be the most environmentally friendly PFD made today. The front is filled with kapok, a naturally buoyant fiber that feels like down, while the back uses recyclable PE foam for protection. The shell is made from bluesign® certified 100% recycled Polyester.
Nine points of adjustment provide a precise fit. Complete with fleece lined pockets and a zone for clipping hardware this vest is ready for all kinds of paddling adventure.
Inteded use: Whitewater, Tour, Canoeing
