The first step towards a professional guiding career, a chance to meet amazing people, or simply an opportunity to experience whitewater at another level. Kumsheen’s Raft Guide School is fit for anyone looking for adventure.
History
Back in 1975, Bernie Fandrich (the founder of Kumsheen Rafting Resort) recognized the need and importance of formal whitewater training so he offered Canada’s first raft guide training course with the Continuing Education Center of Langara College. Kumsheen has continued this training program in-house each Spring and has continuously developed the program to exceed industry standards. 2023 marks the 48th year of Kumsheen’s Raft Guide Training and 50th year of overall operations.
Course Content
Nearly five decades of experience have shown us that the best way to teach guiding skills is to focus solely on the individual students. Rather than students doing tag-alongs with commercial trips, Kumsheen’s Raft Guide School is run completely by itself. This provides freedom from the trip’s schedule, less pressure on “performing” in front of guests, and the opportunity to guide on a variety of rivers. Additionally, it allows us to customize the material to each individual student and ensure comprehension of the basics.
Topics covered include river dynamics and “reading” whitewater, navigation and boat control using paddles and oars, river safety and rescue, general knowledge of rafts and equipment, and understanding of the whitewater industry. This is accomplished through a mixture of classroom lectures and daily on-river practice.
The Details
Dates:
First two weeks of May each year
Note: depending on the amount of interest/applications each season, a second guide school may be offered in late-May. In 2024, Guide School was fully booked and held a waitlist.
Includes:
- 12 days of on-the-water instruction
- Training on a minimum of three different rivers
- Classroom lectures with all course manuals and literature
- Shared accommodation in a cozy Canvas Cabin while onsite at Kumsheen Resort
- A road trip to another river during the second week with campsite space provided
- Lunch daily for the entire course with breakfast and dinner for the second week
- Written and practical exams for both paddle and oar
Minimum Age:
18 years old as of May 1st
Cost:
$1499 plus tax
Please contact our Reception Office at rafting@kumsheen.com if you would like to receive a copy of our 2024 Raft Guide School information package, have any questions, or are interested in securing a spot in our next session. We hope to hear from you soon!
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
All of our guests, rafting or not, must sign our participation agreement form. Anyone under the age of 18 will need a parent/guardian to sign for them. After booking, please follow the steps included in your confirmation email to sign a digital participation agreement waiver prior to your trip with us.