The RCABC Canoe Guide Program provides a bseline of training and professionalism for canoeists who wish to enter and/or advance in the canoe guiding industry. Expedition Guiding requires a diverse set of skills. Most apply to Day Guiding as well:
- Paddling skill (tandem or solo)
- Large Variety of Rescue Skills
- Group and Risk Management
- Emergency Planning and First Aid
- Camping and Cooking Skills
- Food Safety & Hygiene
- Gear Mangement
- Service Industry Attitude
- Leave No Trace
- Interpretive and Cultural Skills
RCABC is proud to offer this certification, which was developed by a large and diverse group of highly trained and experienced canoe guides and instructors over a period of many years. The cetification strikes a balance between being thorough and detailed, yet achievable within a reasonable period of time.
Certified Day and Expedition Guides with current RCABC memberships are listed in the Guide Database and available to the public or employers.
RCABC CANOE GUIDE CERTIFICATION
DAY GUIDE
EXPEDITION GUIDE
DAY GUIDE INSTRUCTOR
EXPEDITION GUIDE INSTRUCTOR
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WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
The canoe day guide course was developed for training guides that lead clients on trips without an overnight component. The trip can be 1 hour to a full day. RCABC recommends this course and certification as minimum basic training for commercial guides on lakes or safe runs of slow, Grade 1 moving water with no hazards. Day guide candidates will:
- learn to paddle solo and tandem
- learn to lead effective rescues
- gain experience leading and managing a group on open water
- work on communication and risk management skills
- pre-trip safety meeting
- basic teaching/coaching skills
Employers of day guides are expected to provide additional training and orientation to the waterway.
PREREQUISITES
None, although some watersports background and any teaching or leadership experience is an asset.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- RCABC LW Paddler Level 1 and 2 certificate (or proof of equivalent experience or certification)
- Successful completion of RCABC Day Guide Course (1 day)
- Proof of current 16hr First Aid or Wilderness First Aid
- Endorsements (Optional) – Moving Water, Ocean Canoe, Big Canoe and SUP Paddler
DURATION
Three days if starting with no experience. One day if candidate has RCABC Lakewater Level 1 and 2.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is based on the the following scenarios and practice situations:
- Lead canoe on open water (exposure to wind and small waves)
- Pre-trip safety meeting
- Stroke teaching/coaching
- Rescue leadership
- Group Management
Leadership during activities and scenario resolution will be the primary tools for assessing candidate leadership and practical skills. Assessment should consider that this is an introductory course and students are not expected to be considered experienced guides, and further training by employers is needed.
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WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
The Expedition Guide course is designed for people that have previous camping experience and basic lake and river paddling training, who wish to upgrade those skills specifically for commercial overnight or expedition guding on rivers or large lakes. It is intended to set a baseline standard of professionalism and skill for the guiding industry. Employers and guides are expected to continue skill development, and orientation to specific waterways is still required. But the guiding certificates provide a thorough, high level foundation.
PREREQUISITES
- RCABC Lakewater Level 3, Advanced Tandem (or equivalent training/experience)
- RCABC Moving Water Level 1, Basic Tandem (or equivalent training/experience)
- Camping experience is highly recommended
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- RCABC Lakewater Level 3 and Moving Water Level 1 or higher is achieved
- Expedition Guide Assessment is successfully completed during course
- 40 hour Wilderness First Aid or Equivalent
- Minimum trip Log of 10 overnights in 2 separate trips
- Optional Endorsements - Proof of certification is provided for Ocean Canoe or Big Canoe Leader. Endorsements are written onto Guide Certificate.
DURATION
Minimum six days if prerequisites are met. Minimum 10 days if prerequisites are included in the course.
CONTENT
The Expedition Guide course simulates a commercially guided trip. In addition to logging river time, many skills are developed:
- Paddling skill (tandem or solo)
- Large Variety of Rescue Skills
- Communication
- Group Management and Teamwork
- Emergency Planning and Risk Management
- Camping Skills
- Food Prep and Cooking Skills
- Food Safety & Hygiene
- Navigation
- Emergency Scenarios
- Service Industry Attitude
- Leave No Trace
- Interpretive and Cultural Skills
These skills are introduced or upgraded using hands on, experiential training that can only be provided by actually leading groups of paddlers on a river trip, including group cooking and camp set up. Expedition Guide courses can also include "clients" to make the experience even more practical. Candidates are given regular feedback thorough debriefing and a formalized assessment process. Pre-study of some material is required, as is meal preparation and preparation of interpretive materials to be presented on the trip.
RCABC TRIPPING INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
RCABC Canoe Tripping Instructor Certificates and Expedition Guide Certificates have a lot of similar content. A process is being developed for Expedition Guide Certificate holders to become Tripping Instructors and vice versa. Contact the RCABC Executive for further details.
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RCABC CANOE DAY GUIDE INSTRUCTOR
The content of the Day Guide Instructor Certificate is in development. Currently, the proposed requirements are a combination of the following certification, experience and assessment:
- Lakewater Instructor Level 2
- Documented Moving Water Training
- Expedition Guide Certificate
- First Aid Cetificate
- Canoe Instruction Experience
- Day Guiding Experience
- Assessment by co-teacing one or more day guide courses
- Assessment by a committee
Contact the Executive for more information.
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RCABC CANOE EXPEDITION GUIDE INSTRUCTOR
The content of the Expedition Guide Instructor Certificate is in development. Currently, the proposed requirements are a combination of the following certification, experience and assessment:
- Lakewater Instructor Level 2
- Documented Moving Water Instructor
- Expedition Guide Certificate
- First Aid Cetificate
- Canoe Instruction Experience
- Expedition Guiding Experience
- Assessment by co-teacing one or more Expedition Guide courses
- Assessment by a committee
Contact the Executive for more information.
