Egg,

I would think the best place for them to learn to manuver their new raft would be a local, small lake. Might be best to get the hang of handling the oars before they jump into a river.

I am looking at drift boats, and I guarantee ya I'll spend plenty of time on the local pond (Grandy Lake) getting used to it before I jump in the Skagit with it...and that is an easy drift on water I know.

Even "frog water" has its perils...

Mike