>>477404Depends. Theres not really an industry wide certification to become a raft guide, its all river and company dependent. While experience helps a fuckton, all companies that ive encountered (which isnt that many in the grand scheme of things) make you do a training on their river anyways. Becuase thats cool that you were a guide on the White Salmon, or American, but can you R1 our Nantahala without hitting anything after a 4 day course(that you pay for)? No? Ok come back when you can
The easiest way to get in is knowing people. Either knowing people who own a raft and asking them to guide it through beginner sections and help you out. Or knowing those who work for/manage/own a raft outfit who are willing to vouch for you/ give you a chance.
Or just do it the old fashioned way and walk into a raft company and ask who to talk to about becoming a guide. Do all that good resume with no exp bullshit and say youve been a raftie for awhile but never guided and always wanted to do it, you can do bitchwork until work is availible, etc.
The 2 things ive found that matter most in this industry is reliability and good people skills, if you can articulate those in a first impression, youll probably get it.
