Episode #12 Leveling Up in Packrafting: When, How, What to Look Out For, with Dan Thurber

Introduction

In Episode 12 of The Packrafting Life (aka A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting), Lizzy talks with Dan Thurber, primarily about leveling up in packrafting, but also about his paddling life and various other fun things. Dan was one of Lizzy’s first mentors in packrafting, teaching her much in various courses and also on a 14-day trip on the Grand Canyon. She continues to look to him for advice and guidance.

A Class V expedition paddler, Dan has solo paddled the Grand Canyon, and he has travelled around the world on kayaking and packrafting adventures. He’s been an instructor at the Swiftwater Safety Institute for a decade and he has a a master’s degree and now a career in river mechanics and modeling.

The American Packrafting Association says he is “an amazing instructor and advocate for river skills and safety.” He currently lives between the Pacific Northwest, where he works and paddles all summer and Tucson, Arizona, where he rides bikes and works all winter.

In this episode we talk first about his background in paddling and long-time career teaching. And then we dive into a topic he discussed at a workshop at the APA’s 2024 Roundup in Idaho, Leveling Up—when packrafters are ready to get to that next level in their paddling. Some of the questions and topics we covered include:

1. What does “Leveling up in Packrafting” even mean?
2. Understanding the Performance Zone. What defines the four zones in the “performance zone.” How to move back and forth between those. And how to be conscious of where you are at. 
3. What are some common overestimations paddlers make that lead them to believe they are ready for harder water before they actually are?
4. In what ways is Leveling up different in the adventure sports of rock climbing, mountain biking, and skiing than it is with paddling rivers? And why is important to be conscious of these differences?
5. What’s are some useful things for paddlers to consider before deciding if they’re ready for the next step in difficulty?
6. What is the importance of mentors, courses or other forms of education in helping paddlers balance pushing themselves to improve while also staying within a safe learning curve? And how can paddlers find good mentors?
7. Why is catching eddies so important? And how does the skillset you need for catching eddies relate to the skillset you need for taking a 15-foot drop?