Raft Guide Try Outs

Someone famously said, if you love your work, you will never work a day in your life. That’s me! I rafted my first wild river in 1970 and never wanted to do anything else. Except for four years in the military, my life has been in the outdoor industry wanting to “share the magic” I found personally on Canada’s wild rivers.  

The silver lining in the Covid cloud is the rediscovering of nature. We are having a busy summer and next year looks even busier as Canada reopens. As a river company, most of our staff are raft guides. Our staff wear two hats (or should I say helmets) meaning most staff are raft guides and also work an off-river position.  

Off river could be maintenance, kitchen, bar, restaurant, retail, office, beach, security and more. But every job starts with the river and 2022 starts now.

See you on the water!

Joe Kowalski
Founder Wilderness Tours

Here's the deal

  • Who

    Water loving, safety conscious, athletic individuals who are strong swimmers and love being outside in nature. This weekend is designed for high school students or first year university students seeking employment as a river guide with Wilderness Tours for the summer of 2022 and beyond

    Must be 18 years of age by June of 2022

  • What

    Basically, this is an interview weekend so we both have an opportunity to asses the fit.

    Most staff are hired for two jobs, one on the river as guide and the other at the resort depending on your skill. For example, guide/bartender; guide/maintenance etc

    Resort jobs include kitchen, restaurant, river ship, office, security, bar, maintenance, beach etc

    River jobs include rafting guiding, safety kayaking and kayak instruction.

  • Where

    Wilderness Tours at the National Whitewater Park on the Ottawa River headquartered at 1260 Grants Settlement Road, Foresters Falls, ON K0J 1V0

  • When

    September 25th or October 2nd, 2021
    5 pm arrival on Fridayth
    6:30 pm for dinner
    7:30 pm meeting and briefing

  • Why

    To acquire the knowledge and skills to share the magic found in whitewater

Space is limited so reserve your spot NOW!

 HOW MUCH 

$49/per plus tax (This will be refunded at the end of next summer if you are a raft guide with us) 

Includes:

  • all meals Friday Dinner thru Sunday Lunch
  •  Campsite Friday and Saturday night or shared dorm room shared with same sex for Friday and Saturday Night (bedding and towels provided)
  • 2 runs down river Saturday and 1 on Sunday followed by exit interview
  • Wet suit, paddle, life jacket, helmet

What to bring:

The Fine Print

  • We reserve the right to remove you from the tryout weekend at anytime if we feel you have not met basic safety standards.
  • If you have any COViD symptoms you will not be allowed on site or to participate
  • A signed waiver is required by all participants (parental permission if under 18)
  • Submit our our job application form and submit a resume.