Working as a raft guide is a fun and exciting seasonal job. You can get a job as a rafting guide without experience because the company you work for will train you. There are several easy ways to find and apply for a summer raft guide job. This post will provide you with what you need to know to become a rafting guide this summer!
Table of Contents
The Rafting Guide Job
What is a Raft Guide
A raft guide navigates inflatable rafts, filled with guests, down rivers and over rapids of various levels. Raft guides create a fun and engaging experience for guests of all ages and skill levels while ensuring a safe journey.
Requirements to Work as a Raft Guide
To work as a rafting guide, you must be at least 18 year old (in some cases 21+), be able to swim, have a valid drivers license, and have a First Aid/CPR certification.
No other experience is needed because the necessary certifications and training will be provided for you once you accept the job.
Certifications
The certifications you need will vary slightly depending on who you work for and the laws of the state you are working in.
For example, many companies want their raft guides to be trained in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) but some prefer their staff to have a more extensive certification in the form of a Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR). Some companies will also require you to obtain a Swift Water Rescue Certification.
As a guide, it’s possible you will also need a Food Handler’s Card for the state you are working in. While less likely, if you do need to drive a bus, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) could be required.
The company you work for will help you obtain the correct certifications. In most cases, they pay for these courses/certifications for you!
Guide Training
Once you have the necessary first aid and safety certifications, you will go through raft guide training. During this time you will learn everything you need to know about the river(s) you will be navigating, the equipment you will be using, and much more. Training will give you a chance to understand your expectations as a guide, improve your skills, and bond with your new crew.
Guide training is usually done with the company you are contracted to work with. The length of time it will take will depend on your company and the state you are working in. For example, the state of Colorado requires guides to have 50 hours of training on the river.
Details of the Job
Seasonal Work
While you can find work as a raft guide year-round, the majority of these jobs are seasonal and run from late-spring (April/May) through early fall (Sept/October). Therefore, this is the type of job that means you are living the seasonal lifestyle. When the season is up, you will need to find a new job come winter, and then decide if you want to return again in the summer.
Accommodation
A huge perk of working as a raft guide is that a lot of businesses provide employee housing for their staff. Sometimes this also comes with meals. It does not mean that the room and board that is provided will be top tier, but not having to pay rent is a wonderful thing.
Long Hours
Guides work long hours. Even before they get on the river they are up early, prepping and loading gear, making lunches for their guests, driving the trailer to the input location, etc.. While they are on the river they are keeping their guests safe and entertained, which can mean a lot of emotional labor. When the trip is done, then it’s time to get everything out of the water and brought back to base to be cleaned and put away. Raft guides work very long days.
Pay
Your pay will depend on your experience as a guide, who you work for, and what state you work in. Usually, you will receive a standard set pay per day or per trip. A big plus it that you can make a good chunk of money when it comes to tips.
Pros
There are lots of pros to working as a rafting guide;
- Spending your days on the river.
- Discounts on trips for friends and family.
- Use of equipment in your free time.
- Getting paid to be surrounded by nature.
- It’s a relaxed environment with chill people.
- You get into really good physical shape.
- Everyday is an adventure.
Cons
There are also cons that come with the job;
- Long hours & long days means burnout.
- Not all guest interactions are pleasant.
- Pay can be low.
- Living accommodations are not always the best.
- Seasonal lifestyle is inconsistent.
- Some raft crews have a heavy party culture.
What it’s Really Like Working As a Raft Guide
For a more in depth look of what it’s like working as a raft guide, check out this Interview with a Raft Guide.
Where to Work as a Raft Guide
The Rafting Season
The rafting season runs from May – October, but can start/end earlier/later depending on your location in the USA. The melt from the snowpack (from the surrounding mountains) can effect how high or low the rivers are, which can influence the season start dates and overall river conditions.
Rafting in the USA
Rafting in the USA is a very popular tourist activity that is available in most states across the country. The most beautiful rivers to raft, and the best spots for white water, is completely subjective.
Popular US states to raft in are; OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, CO, AZ, NM, CA, GA, PA, WV, SC, TN, ME, and AK. A few of the more popular rivers are the Colorado River (AZ & UT), Snake River (WY), Arkansas River (CO), The Middle Fork of the Flat Head River (MT), Rio Grande (TX), White Salmon River (WA), and The Upper Tuolumne River (CA).
Who Hires Raft Guides
Obviously rafting companies hire rafting guides. However, there are many other types of companies that run rafting trips and also need rafting guides. Some examples of these businesses are; general outfitters, national park outfitters, adventure tour companies, tour operators, outdoor/wilderness excursion companies, summer camps, resorts, guest ranches, and other hospitality focused industries.
How to Find a Job as a Raft Guide
Seasonal Job Boards
You can find raft guide job openings on seasonal work websites. I always suggest using CoolWorks to find seasonal jobs. You will also find a lot of guide opportunities on BackDoorJobs and Occupation Wild. Or, you can use one of these 19 websites to find seasonal jobs.
Google Search & Direct Apply
If there is a specific state or location in the USA you want to work, you can simply google search with keywords such as; “Rafting Guide Jobs in Montana,” “Rafting Guides Wanted in Yellowstone,” “Tennessee Rafting Companies Hiring Guides,” etc…
You can also search for a specific type of company you want to work with, such as; “Summer Camps in New England with Rafting Programs,” “Rafting Companies in National Parks,” “Rafting Outfitters in the Pacific Northwest,” etc..
Based off your search, choose the businesses you want to apply to and directly apply via their career/staff page.
Apply to Larger Operations
Many rafting companies are smaller business and do not always have need for a large amount of staff. However, there are a few companies that hire a large number of guides each year because they operate across multiple states and rivers. Examples of these companies are; OARS, Mild2Wild, Wilderness Voyagers, Holiday River Expeditions, and Western River Expeditions.
How to Apply to Work as a Raft Guide
Hiring Dates
Companies usually hire for the summer season beginning in January and ending in late April. However, they loose guides for various reasons during the summer so it important to always check for last minute job openings.
The Application Process
Each company will have their own application process for perspective guides. It will either be a form you fill out via their career page or directions on how to submit your resume.
What to Add To Your Resume
If you have any guiding experience, add it to your resume. Even if it has nothing to do with being on the water, working as a guide in any capacity shows that you already know how to do the biggest part of the job.
Guiding is part of the hospitality and tourism industry. Thus, any experience you have working with people, in guest-facing roles, or within customer service is helpful. Employers also look for the following skills; group management, risk management, team work, leadership, and communication.
Include any outdoor living skills you may have and any experience you have on the water. Add any first aid experience or certifications you have (CPR, Lifeguard, WFA, WFR, EMT). Adding language skills is also helpful because you are working with tourists who may need a guide who speaks a different language.
The Job Interview
During the interview, employers are imagining how you will interact with their guests and the other members on the crew. They want guides who are positive, personable, and fun. They want their guides to be passionate about taking people out on the river, have the capability to power through the long days, and can create a great experience for everyone they interact with. So, put your best foot forward and be yourself!
Conclusion
Working as a raft guide is a great summer seasonal job option if you love being on the water. Hopefully this post explained what you need to do to become a raft guide and how you can find a job on the river for the summer. Have you worked as a raft guide? What was your experience like? Please let me know in the comments below!
