Choosing a Tour Company

April-May 1996

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

Match up your skills, budget & expectations

by Chris Ladner

Perhaps the safest, easiest and most cost effective way to go on a paddling adventure is by booking a spot with a kayak tour company. You may find that the equipment, service and type of trips vary widely, however, so it is best to select your tour company carefully to match your skills, budget, and expectations.

 

Types of Guided Kayak Tours

 

1. Outfitted trips are where some equipment and/or food may or may not be supplied. You should make sure what is and is not supplied. These trips tend to be less expensive and usually feature larger groups. Guide and Assistant are usually provided.

2. Catered trips are the most deluxe trips during which everything is supplied and taken care of for you. You bring clothes and a sleeping bag. The company provides Guides and Assistants who cater to your every whim, including cooking, cleaning, etc. Most clients are welcome to participate if they want to.

3. Educational trips are similar to catered trips but clients are encouraged to participate. Smaller distances are covered as some time is used for workshops on kayaking skills. The objective of these trips is that clients learn the skills necessary to undertake their own kayak trips. These trips are led by two Guides/Instructors or a Guide/Instructor and an Assistant

Questions to ask yourself

• Why am I going on a kayak trip?

• How much time have I got (including transit days)?

• What is my budget?

• What experiences am I seeking?

• Do I intend to improve/learn ocean paddling skills?

Questions for the tour company

• How long have you been in business?

• How long have you been operating in the destination area?

• What is your client-to-guide ratio?

• For how many seasons have your guides been working?

• What proportion have been guiding for more than two seasons?

• What is the maximum group size?

• Is this an outfitted, catered or educational trip?

• How many hours per day, on average, will we be paddling?

• What does the price include? Not include?

• Do you paddle in singles, doubles or both?

• What must I bring?

• What does the company provide?

• Are your guides certified?

• What is your safety record?

• What is your minimum impact policy?

• Do you seek permission from Tribal Councils for your trips?

• What is your cancellation policy

Chris Ladner owns Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre in Vancouver.