Looking for advice from white water guides

[Lukegnar]

With the amount of snow melt coming off of the sierras, I have heavily considered going to raft guiding school because the rivers are going to be gnarly. I have very little experience on the river, but I don't want to miss out on the experience. I have narrowed down the program to one company.

Are there any white water guides that would share their take on the job overall? Should I send it on the river this summer?

 

[r00kie]

I'm a river guide! Being a rookie with a day trip outfitter can be a grind but it's where most everyone starts. Be prepared to run the same few sections, maybe just one, twice a day six days a week. You'll make the same jokes over and over. Also, training can be fricken tough. It's a lot to learn between reading water, swift water rescue, first aid, and the people skills. Does your outfit provide housing? If not are you ready to camp all summer? If you can work on extended trips do it. Way more fun not running the same water everyday and getting to work with clients over a week and not turning your crew over every three hours. Also get to see some awesome places that way and get feed on the company dime. What river(s) are you on?

**This post was edited on May 5th 2023 at 4:12:10pm

 

[iFlip]

Not a guide and not a rafter, but am a whitewater paddler. Keep in mind that whitewater rafting and zip lining have a whole lot in common. Both are perceived as super extreme by the general public and both fall far short of that on trips/excursions that the general public does.

Point being, if you’re looking to do something “extreme” for the summer, this is likely not it. It also will not be a way to make a whole lot of money. It might be fun if you fall in with the right crew, or you might get on a crew full of douchebags.

 

[Sivvy]

Ok is anyone else worried about running their rookie season on high water? Maybe it's just because I'm running in the Southwest but I'm a little scared to be responsible for tourists on the water this year

 

[r00kie]

Ok is anyone else worried about running their rookie season on high water? Maybe it's just because I'm running in the Southwest but I'm a little scared to be responsible for tourists on the water this year

High water year will make sure we don't have a bunch of rookies running around bragging about how they have never flipped. However, one of my rivers is the Owyhee where we do in inflatable kayaks and I am worried about clients abilities to catch eddies and ferry effectively at higher flows. Also rookie oarsmen on the lower Salmon could get interesting for us.

 

[Sivvy]

High water year will make sure we don't have a bunch of rookies running around bragging about how they have never flipped. However, one of my rivers is the Owyhee where we do in inflatable kayaks and I am worried about clients abilities to catch eddies and ferry effectively at higher flows. Also rookie oarsmen on the lower Salmon could get interesting for us.

That's not intimidating at all

 

[r00kie]

That's not intimidating at all

Everyone has or will flip a boat. It's part of the whole thing. Don't let it intimidate you too much. When it happens it's usually the high of the day for guests.