So you Want to be a Tour Guide, Eh?

December 1995 - January 1996

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

by Michael Laanela

The explosive growth of sea kayaking in the past ten years has lead to the evolution of genuine subspecies of sea kayakers: the sea kayak guide. Initial sightings of sea kayak guides (sea kayakius guidus) first occurred in the early 70's. Their population has grown steadily as they have adapted readily to the coastal summer climate. While some are year round residents of the coast, over wintering in often quite isolated locals, many choose to migrate to warmer climates such as Baja Mexico or other parts of Central America.

Locally sea kayak guides are best spotted at favored kayak put-in sites, often clustered around trailer loads of boats, squawking loudly and intimidating other launching parties to protect 'beach space'. When spotted in the wild, most often along shoreline clearings they can be observed again squeaking even more vigorously at members of their own flock. On the water their most obvious field markings is their habit of traveling at the very front or very back of the larger group. Also notable is the conspicuously large amount of miscellaneous gear stuffed under the deck rigging of their boats.

Life as a sea kayak guide has its obvious perks. You spend extended periods of time in wilderness areas most people only visit for a few short days. You are guaranteed a great summer tan and you kayak more in a single season than most people will in ten years. It is a lifestyle, as much as a job. Most guides work for weeks at time, with just one day off each week in some remote town, usually spent doing laundry and preparing for the next trip. The season in BC begins as early as April for day trips and ends as late as mid-October. Time-off during the high season from June to early September is rare. Many companies can only provide work for a few months of the year meaning you have to be flexible in other parts of your life to accommodate their schedule. Although some guides work year round, heading south for the winter, working more than twenty weeks a year can quickly lead to burn-out.

Guiding is actually work, not carefree play. Your day begins early, getting breakfast ready for the clients and you are often the last one to bed at night. During the day you're constantly on the go, shepherding the group, making decisions on routes and campsites, teaching natural history, cooking meals, and dealing with the completely unexpected. You do not get much personal space, even in your sleep. You must be energetic when you may be tired. You have to be social when you want to zone-out. Your time is not your own, and you are always switched 'on'.

Is it worth it? Well, that depends on your own attitude, more than anything. The pay is no reason for signing on. Although senior guides usually make between $100 and $200 a day, starting wages for an assistant are usually less than $100 a day. So, you will need more than pay cheques to keep you happy. But if you enjoy the offbeat lifestyle, take pride in your handling of the responsibilities, get off on meeting a lot of people, groove with your co-workers after weeks in the same stinky tent together, and still manage to appreciate the constant beauty of you natural wilderness workplace then you should find it worthwhile. It is undoubtedly one unique way to spend a few years. The personal rewards come from the intimate relationship you form with the area in which you guide. After a while you begin to feel more at home at your favorite camp than in town. Cloud types and weather patterns become subconsciously imprinted in your brain. Local fauna begins to feel like your extended family. You take it personally when some yahoos leave a big fire pit in the sand on your best loved beach.

If it sounds like something you would like to try, here are some suggestions for getting started.

1. Get out and get some experience. You should have several trips of at least a week behind you at this stage. One of the things operators will be looking for is how much personal exeperience you have. For beginning guides a solid foundation of non-commercial trips is invaluable. Make sure you have an accurate and up to date log book of your trips.
   
   

2. Look for potential employers. Make a list of companies you would like to target. Kayaking magazines are an obvious place to find addresses. Not all kayak businesses are the same. Some are big operations which only run multi-day tours in several locations, often year round. Others are small local shops serving a particular area with seasonal day trips and multi-day trips. Ask yourself which ones suit your own goals.
   
   

3. Take a sea kayaking leadership course. Emerging guidelines for new sea kayak guides require successful completion of a minimum six day course. Leadership courses are springing up like mushrooms after a fall rain. Make a point of contacting the course director in person to find out the extent of his or her qualifications. Many companies hire most of their new staff through their spring leadership courses so choose strategically.
   
   

4. Get your first-aid ticket. Currently International Wilderness First Aid is the only recognized certification. Assistant guides require the one week long Essential for Leaders course, while full guides require the two week long Advanced for Leaders course.
   
   

5. Make contact with prospective employers. Most new guides are hired in the early spring so get your resume and cover letter out early. Resumes should include more than just your kayaking history. Employers will also be looking for other skills including knowledge of natural history, experience working with groups of people, and other outdoor recreation work. Cover letters can be used to present intangible assets such as seasoned judgment or respect for wilderness environments. Follow-up all correspondence with a phone call or visit.
   
   

6. Some employers may require that you bring certain equipment of your own, up to and including a kayak, while others will provide everything. Standard items include a professional wilderness first-aid kit, a tow-line/throw bag, charts, compass, flares. The advantage of bringing your own gear might be that it is of better quality than that supplied. Many employers can get equipment for guides at a discount so it may pay off to wait until you are hired before buying anything.

Becoming a guide can require a substantial cash outlay. First-aid courses cost $400 to $700, leadership courses cost $700 to $1000 and most people would require at least a $200 in miscellaneous gear, often much more. Think before you spend and you will avoid wasteful outlays of cash.

Currently two guides' organizations exist in BC, the Association of Canadian Sea Kayak Guides and the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC. The differences are minimal but significant as some employers will only accept guides trained by the organization to which they themselves belong. Both organizations are non-profit and require members to abide by certain guidelines concerning client to guide ratios, and equipment. Both also have a structure requiring guides to log a set number of trips to qualify to guide in more advanced positions and areas of coastal waters.

Michael Laanela is a guide with Tofino Sea Kayaking

 

Courses The Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC runs inexpensive "instructor exchange" sessions 2 or 3 times a year where guides get together to upgrade their skills. You can get in touch with the Alliance by calling 604-758-2488. Commercial guide courses are offered by Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre, Tofino Sea Kayaking, and others.