In regards to learning to raft and kayak, here in
New Zealand, we have the Polytechnic –“ITP” Institutes of Technology Polytechnics (similar to TAFE
in Australia). They provide a course for Adventure
Tourism. You are able to do a 2 year course which
involves all sorts of outdoor activities, which you
can then specialise in your 2nd year. You can
choose to specialise in white water rafting and
or kayaking. You generally come away with a
Grade 2 or 3 New Zealand Rafting licence. (This is
an internationally recognised licence, which has
a high standard). Otherwise you can do an advanced white water course of 6 weeks. Both of
The most nerve wracking part of the week for me,
these courses send you out to work experienc e.
is the day you get the client information. This inforThis allows you to show yourself to the companies
mation refers to their ages, sex, size, medical confor future employment.
ditions, dietary requirements, and drinking requirements – the last one is very important for the Aussie
Once you have done either of these courses
and Kiwi clients - believe me you don’t want to run
there are an amazing amount of rafting operaout of beer or wine!
tors around NZ. All rivers have their differences of
technicality so it takes time to learn the river/rivWe take everyone. As the trip leader I’m responers, before you are guiding with your own clients.
sible for everything in regards to the whole trip;
However, everyone’s ability and personal drive is
from buying and packing food and packing all the
different. This is a huge determining factor. Some
equipment for the 3 days. Safety decisions on the
new guides take 2 -3 weeks before they’re signed
river and timing of activities are all my responsibility.
off, others can take up to 4 months or more. Not
everyone is meant to be a white water guide.
Once I’d had 10 years under my belt of grade 5
Most companies take on a trainee with the exrafting, the nerves in regards to running these trips
pectation they will be working with them for the
relaxed a bit, and I realised that for me, this was the
next half year, to secure their skill development.
ultimate job. 20 years later I am still doing it, and
this passion isn’t stopping any time soon.
In Australia it is different. Each company will do
an in-house training course every 1 or 2 years. It
I mean, who gets to spend a day buying food and
is an in-depth intense course, and at the end of it
drinks, packing all the gear into a trailer and getthey will take the best of the group. You then will
ting it readied for a helicopter flight to work? Yes
stay on to finish your in-house training. With the
that’s right we fly to work. This flight takes us to Top
expectation you will be around for a couple of
Camp – or ‘Toi Toi Flat”.
years.
Rafts, kayak, food, equipment, clients and everything we need for the adventure join us, packed in
tight on the 50 kilometres flight through south Westland, where there are no tracks or roads. In our
job, we hardly even see other humans. That’s pretty rare now-a-days! How cool’s that? We spend a
night at top camp, followed by a big day of rafting,
and then again the 3rd day includes rafting out
and then travelling back to Queenstown.
Multiday guides are excellent cooks, but you only
get one chance. If you were to burn the Venison
hors d’oeuvres - there’s no replacements. Dropping the chocolate cake could cause uproar, and
you certainly can’t risk putting butter in the lactose
intolerant scramble eggs.
Rafting and safety kayaking is a lifestyle job, which
entails an incredible amount of fun, excitement,
adrenaline, stress and heart thumping enjoyment.
You can use it to travel to many amazing countries for work. The longer you are in the industry
the easier it is to be selective of the type of rafting
you love. In some countries, their rafting seasons
are only short 2-4 months, some 6-8 months, and
then there are places which raft all year.
Rivers also change. The water flow determines
the technicality; generally the higher the river in
volume the more power. The seasons change
your river.
Rivers and clients are like a box of chocolates.
Always good, but you just don’t know what
There is so much to think about, but it’s awesome!
you’re going to get! Give us a call, come a long
We have such a good time and the clients are
– we’re waiting – can’t wait to meet ya!
generally amazed by this. After 3 days the clients
“KC” Gareth Wilson
and guides create a great team.
– senior Trip Leader @ Queenstown Rafting.