Whitewater Raft Guide Trainees

Being a Whitewater Raft Guide is a fun and rewarding experience filled with adventure! Whitewater Raft Guide trainees do not need any previous whitewater rafting experience. We do expect you to posses an avid interest in the outdoors, positive attitude and integrity. You will be trained in running both oar boats and paddle boats. Whitewater Raft Guides typically handle unexpected and stressful situations on a daily basis, so your ability to handle stress, rain, cold, wind, and other unexpected conditions that may arise is required. Training is a fun and challenging experience, but it’s rewarding and worth the effort. You get out of training what you put into training! Being a raft guide out in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains is truly a fun, exciting and rewarding experience. We want you to love rafting as much as we do and pass that passion on to our guests.

Trainees are selected by online applications, resumes, references, and phone or personal interviews.

Qualifications:

  • Outgoing personality
  • Positive attitude
  • Willingness to learn
  • Integrity
  • Ability to support yourself financially during training
  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • First Aid & CPR, available to take during training

Whitewater Raft Guide Training Information:
At Browns Canyon Rafting our goal is to share our passion for the outdoors, whitewater rafting and the adventure it has to offer by making the wilderness safely accessible to every person or family who desires to get away from it all. We believe our guides are the face of the company, and are expected to be respectful of all guests and act professionally at all times.Our whitewater raft guide training course will empower you with the skills and confidence needed to excel as a professional guide. You are responsible for having a positive attitude, integrity and ability to pass this course.Training begins May 16th and continues thru June 2nd. You are expected to be present for every day of training.The cost is $552.56 ($525 for the coarse + river use fees of 5.25%) a $100.00 non-refundable deposit is due when you are accepted to the course, and the remainder of the balance is to be paid 1 month prior to May 16th. Being accepted into the training class does not guarantee you a position, though we hire our first year guides directly out of this program. If for any reason you are not hired by us you will have obtained much more than the Colorado guide minimum requirements and be able to apply at other companies.

Colorado River Outfitters are licensed by the Department of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and managed by the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. A minimum of 50 hours on-river training is required to become a certified raft guide; however you can expect to far exceed the minimum 50 hours of on-river training by the end of our course, closer to 120.

Our training starts at 8am on May 17th, 2017 all trainees must check in at our office in Buena Vista by this time and be ready to begin your training. We recommend you show up the day prior to training. This gives you time to get settled, meet your fellow trainees and make friends that will last a lifetime. During training you will learn everything you need to know both on and off the river to be a Certified Whitewater Raft Guide.

What you will learn during training:

  • Care and use of the equipment
  • Rigging and unrigging the rafts
  • River features and hazards
  • Flipping and recovering boats
  • Pining and unpinning boats
  • Orientation and safety talk topics given to all guests
  • Swimming in moving water
  • Boat maneuvering
  • Knowledge of all important river aspects
  • Put-in & take-out locations
  • Rapid names
  • Backboard locations
  • Emergency take out points
  • Lunch spots….etc.
  • History and geology of the region.
  • Skills for dealing with guests and working in a group.

Responsibilities as a guide:

  • Able to work long hours during busy periods, and be professional at all times even if you feel burnt out.
  • Maintain a good attitude when dealing with co-workers, guests and in all conditions, including, wind, rain, cold etc…
  • Complete pre trip tasks before the guests arrive.
  • Responsible for company equipment.
  • Treat customers the way you would want to be treated when on vacation.

What we provide:

  • Training
  • Essential Rafting Equipment
  • Wetsuit – Booties – PFD – Helmet
  • Shuttles to/from our shop and river put-ins/take outs
  • Free camping areas (BLM & Forest service)
  • Memories that will last a lifetime!

Recommended Gear To Bring With You:

  • Personal gear- it’s still cold here during training.
  • Synthetic base layers, “Under Armor” shirt and bottoms at least 2 sets
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun glasses
  • Raincoat
  • Water bottle
  • Swim suit
  • Camping gear if you are planning on camping throughout training
  • A great attitude and willingness to learn
  • You are responsible for your own food during training

We will provide you with gear that you need during training. Feel free to bring any river gear you already own.

You will need to possess your own gear before working as a guide:

PFD – Helmet – Throwbag – Knife – Whistle – Med Kit

You will be able to purchase gear through our pro forms at a discounted price if desired.We do not provide housing at our shop however there are many free camping areas close. We will be happy to give you all the info that you need for these areas. Many people camp throughout the summer and it’s a great way to get to know your fellow guides.