Raft guide qualis

[eeonz]

I'm looking into a possible career change - going from outdoor centre work, to raft guiding. The only advice that I've been given so far is "do the Scottish one, it's better!"

Having looked at the two schemes, I can't see much difference between them, except that the BCU one takes longer to get to "unrestricted" L2 status? Is there much difference? Is the SRA raft scheme only available to SCA members? If anyone can shed some light on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, what updates do guides need to do? SRT, REC2 and logged hours?

Many thanks
Ian

[feelingjustfine]

Go IRF. BCU and SRA (despite the latter being IRF affiliated) are not very internationally recognised. Get your SRT as well as you will need this along with a first aid ticket. Muzza at Splash does IRF training, I think he will make you work for crap all money to progress with your ticket- but that is all part of the game in rafting in the UK anyway! Try and stay away from courses like what "White water international"(ben starkie & john mason) did a few years ago which turned out to be a duff ticket as they no longer exist.

It is worth making sure that you keep a proper log book from the start otherwise companies/bodies will keep you at level 1 for as long as possible before moving you up to a 2 (cheaper for them obviously) and normally get away with this by guides not having any log to contest it with. Try looking at trolaktiv or whatever they are called in Norway as well where you will get to raft better rivers and get much better money.

I am skeptical about this BCU raft guiding thing, it doesn't seem to be to recognised and the amount of sit ons and so on you need to do before moving up a level sounds a bit different to most training schemes. It doesn't make overly much sense doing a qual that limits you in terms of recognition internationally if you know what I mean. Also-you don;t need to be a member of BCU/SCA to do SRA training, rafting is a completely different sport/line of quals altogether...as long as you can hand over the $$$ they will give you the piece of paper!

Hope this helps a little.

Chris (semi retired rafty...)

http://rafting.co.uk/raft_guide_courses.htm

[Gwynfor]

Hmmm - not sure how much use an IRF ticket is either. I work in eastern Canada and NZ, neither of which recognise them. I know that most of the US, Japan, Australia, etc don't either. Might be good for certain parts of Europe though.
Best thing to do is find a rafting job - any decent company is going to train you anyway. Beware of companies that insist that you pay for a training course with them before they offer you a job.

Having a good F.A. ticket, some boating/coaching/teaching background, being older than 22 and good interpersonal skills are all plus points that will get you much further than a ticket but no client time.

Gwyn

[mark Hirst]

Hi
I am with gwyn a good first aid ticket and good interpersonal skills will cary you far. I have a few tickets. if you have the cash,time and are really committed I would say a new zealand ticket will carry you far.

The Bcu sysetem is fine if you are going to stay in the uk but useless anywhere else.

Irf tickets are mainly recognised in africa,south america and europe.

Most of all be honest about your experince and be prepared to start at the bottom and work up

good luck
mark

[feelingjustfine]

Surely if we are talking about "outside of UK" tickets then the Austrian one is the top rated alongside the NZ ticket?

[Chris C]

Where are you based in the UK? as it could be worth getting to one of the rafting centres such as CIWW, Tryweryn etc and get on the BCU level1 training course which is a good three days, if you get on with the sit ons some people do it in the minimum 10 trips others do it in more.

Once you have this Matt Blue runs a guide development course in the French Alps and in Scotland both of which cover both BCU and IRF awards so you can get higher up in both.

Alternatively once you have completed either the BCU/ SRA level 1 why not go abroad somewhere personally I would recommend a season in Nepal speak to the guys at Royal Beach Camp they are always helpful and looking for guys to help run the camp guide etc. A season in Nepal could give you lots of hours guiding to help gain the IRF 4/5 or give you help to get a job elsewhere in the world. Obviously you could choose any country just have fun and enjoy it as it can help you live the dream, travel etc

Happy Rafting
Chris

[eeonz]

Many thanks for the replies. I'm based in Leicestershire (when I'm at home) but work seasons abroad in outdoor centres. So not far from HPP or CT, but ideally looking for work in Scotland, as I haven't paddled there yet. The plan is to do a season in Scotland, then head abroad to Norway/Nepal/Alps etc.

Any recommendations for rafting companies in Scotland please? Ideally, it would be better to be rafting G3/4 or the likes of Norway would be a huge step up! Also, do companies expect their employees to have their qualis before starting work there?

[feelingjustfine]

You should get an easy start Tay-side, however, you will lose the will to live due to having to raft the most embarrassingly shit rivers available (anywhere in the world even?)... try Aviemore and f.bill based places and you will get to raft good river like the Garry and Findhorn and get to pack in some turbo canyon guiding as well... then probably join the crowds canyon guiding as it wipes the floor of rafting in this country! G2 Adventure, Highland Activities, Full on Adventure, Ace rafting are all recommended and you would no doubt have a great time working up there.

Splash etc further south in Scotland are maybe easier to get work for but the rivers suck and the banter and scene up north is far better-trust me!