Hyak Wilderness Adventures

Thank you for considering Hyak Wilderness Adventure's Raft Guide Course. We hope this information will assist you in getting to know our program, which is designed to help potential guides obtain their BC commercial rafting license. Our goals are to increase white water knowledge and experience, as well as instill a safety awareness that goes above and beyond industry standards.

Instructors

Hyak Guide School instructors are experienced trip leaders who have had the opportunity to work on many of BC's best rivers and several international rivers around the world. All instructors have a minimum 500 days of on-river experience and are considered to be amongst the finest guides in the world.

Diversity: We have chosen the format of a traveling course with a goal of running several different BC Rivers depending on water levels. Many guides are taught “lines” (a specific line of safe travel). We believe that in teaching the guide to “read water” that they will become a safer, more self-reliant guide. Running a number of rivers and experiencing different river characteristics will help send the apprentice guide well on their way to making their own decisions.

Certification: With today’s liability issues the best protection is experience, certification and documentation. In our program we include Rescue Canada’s Swift Water Rescue Technician level 1 (separate course would regularly cost $400.00). All first year guides holding a SRT 1 certification are certified above industry standard.

Low Student Ratios: We offer a low student/instructor ratio. This allows for each student more individual attention. This has shown great success at the provincial exams.

Momentum: Many courses get stalled out throughout the day, our priority will be to make sure the days are filled with river time. It is important as a course participant to arrive each morning full of energy, as the days will be long. We try to give 110% and we expect the same from our students.

Employment Opportunities: The rafting industry has a constant need for competent guides. Hyak Wilderness Adventures is one of BC’s largest employers of raft guides. Students who are keen and motivated, and pass the provincial exam, may have a good opportunity to gain employment. Hyak has extended a great deal; anyone who guides a minimum of 10 days during the season will be refunded $200.00 off their course.

In closing, we realize that the end goal for each student is to be able to guide safely and work commercially in the river rafting industry. After the course you will have gained skills and experience leading you in that direction. It is up to each individual to ensure that they complete what is needed to pass the BC Raft Guide's test. For many people, that simply requires more days in control of a raft. Arrangements can be made to gain more rafting experience by accompanying Hyak river trips. This is done on an individual basis and must be prearranged. Please ask for more details.

Thank you,