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What is More Fun Than Whitewater Rafting? Being A Rafting Guide!

a group of people on a raft in a body of water

Q – What is more fun than going on a whitewater rafting trip with ARO? 

A- Guiding the raft.

Q- Do I have to pay extra to be the guide?

A – Believe it or not if you are the guide not only don’t you have to pay, but you get paid for having all that extra fun.

Q – So how do I get in on the fun?

A – Contact ARO and see if you are qualified to enter our Guide Training Program.

Q – What are the necessary qualifications?

A – Along with the guiding skills which we will help develop, the most important aspect of being a river guide is being a ‘people person’. You have to enjoy being with people, and be sensitive to their concerns and fears, while inpiring them to meet the challenge.  The quality of our staff and their ability to relate to our rafting guests is what makes people choose ARO and refer us to their friends.

It’s also important to be a team player. Working at ARO is a group effort, you will be assessed on your willingness to lend a helping hand, and your ability to be maintain a positive atitude and support your team mates.

Please note that completion of our guide training does not guarantee employment. trainees are assessed on their rafting skills and personality. Be genuine, be friendly and be caring.

Q – How much does the training cost?

A – The only cost is your time and efforts. On days when you are joining us for training trips, you will be expected to arrive with the guides and assist in the trip preparations, inflating and transporting rafts, etc.

Q – What are the employment prospects?

A –  ARO will be hiring additional guides for the the 2017 season for both our Black River and Hudson River operations.

For most guides it is a labor of love with the added benefit of being paid to guide when needed, plus tips from appreciative guests.

On the Black, the majority of the newly licensed guides that are hired, will work part time. Weekends being the most likely days for work, with some weekday possibilities. Top candidates may be offered additional non-guiding work, to help increase their work days. People with great cooking and BBQ skills, or a CDL to drive a  bus,  in particular, may have additional opportunities.

On the Hudson, trips are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (when the dam releases occur). New guides often get three or four days of guiding per week in July and August.  New this year we have an Aerial Ropes and ZiplineCourse and  and a Paintball area which will provide additional employment opportunities. We are also developing additional Adirondack activities that may provide.

 Q – How long will it take me to become a guide?

After you have passed your state written exam, got certified in first aid, CPR and water safety, and completed your five documented training runs on a river, you can obtain your license. However, that is only the minimum required by New York State. ARO has much more stringent requirements, depending on your background experience, and aptitude for guiding, you will need anywhere from the state mandated six training trips on a river, to twenty or more. Our traners and staff will determine if and when a trainee is ready to guide a group of ARO guests.  Many trainees  that started with little or no river experience and took longer to develop their skills went on to be outstanding guides.

We are looking for people who love outdoor adventures and enjoy sharing this passion with others. Employment opportunities exist for part time guides from April to October. It is a great summer job for teachers, college students, and people working in the ski industry.

If you are interested and would like to be considered for our training program, contact us by email at [email protected]. Include a brief summary of your background including both formal and informal educational and outdoor experiences.

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