Paddle / Raft Guides : HOW TO GET STARTED
Ready for Rapid Runs? (We don’t mean a post travel visit to your bathroom!) Here’s how to earn a living licking a lateral or paddling through pool drops
You will be expected to have physical strength and do what’s needed to set up including: loading, unloading boards and paddles. To this end, some employers will require you to take a swim test or be able to demonstrate ability with surfing fundamental, paddle knowledge, etc. This section covers the paddling related to Whitewater, Lakes, Touring Rivers, Canoe Trails, Canals, Sea Kayak/Canoeing, Surf paddling or Tidal Rapids. The skills may be interchangeable between Kayaks, Canoes and Stand Up Paddle skills. For information or employment more specific to Stand Up Paddling click here.
An employer will likely require certification in Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescue and First Aid. Many employers will offer in-house training, but you must be proficient in the sport. A high school graduate is the minimum requirement with experience in the sport, or an ability to display some career trajectory in the outdoors; environmental science, outdoor education…
You will be spending multiple hours a day in the sun and in the water, observing weather, winds, and tides to ensure clients are staying safe and helping them with paddle technique and maneuvers. The hours might be long stretches, so you will need stamina and often you may need to have your own vehicle.
To get started; complete your First Aid qualifications, get some paddling in and contact an employer to see what they require or what they can offer for training.
Select a region on the left for more information. You can message an employer on Work the Wilds to ask what they would accept. Find an employer HERE. When you have registered you can post any questions to our Wild Chat Board for personalised feedback. Register for Free. If you become a Green Flash Member you can spread the net a bit wider by increasing your communication ability and have your profile featured.
*Please remember that this is general information. We keep it as up to date as possible, but it's important you do your own research and know all the risks before heading out into the Wilds. If you are an expert in your sport and/or would like to become a contributor for Work the Wilds, please drop us an email at info@workthewilds.com or Contact Us
