Canoe Guide 2025
Canoe Guide 2025
We’re not looking for Lara Croft or MacGyver, but we would consider them for the position. Resourcefulness is paramount to being a guide, and so is the ability to spin a good yarn while winding it though history, lore and legend. And arguably the most important skill is the ability to cook the best backcountry food known to the wilderness. Oh, and also be able to present a genuine smile while doing the dishes (likely in the dark).
The best plans are the ones most easily tossed- we expect our guides to recognize the magic when it’s happening and know how to take advantage of it. Hard skills can be learned by most anyone, but soft skills are where it’s at. We strive for you to start the trip with our guests and finish with your friends.
It takes a special talent to spend three days, just you and a family from Germany (or Alberta, or Massachusetts, or anywhere) and be responsible for not only their care and safety, but also helping them feel welcome and excited about their canoe adventure. It feels like I could write a small book on how facilitate a 5-star experience, but I'm not confident it's something that can be taught. A great canoe guide is a people pleaser.
You'll likely be guiding both multi-day canoe tours and our Quickie Adventures (2-hour and 4-hour daily tours).
We will fill in any gaps in your guiding schedule with shifts at the rental concession so that you maintain a respectable paycheque. The guiding day-rate usually starts around $175/day.
We have guide positions available for the following terms:
Mid-May through to mid-October (negotiable)
Required Training:
Wilderness & remote first responder 80hr cert (don’t fret if you don’t have this yet- if you have committed to a course pre-season you’ll be off to a good start)
NLS bronze cross (again, you can achieve this prior to the start of the season if you don’t yet have it- we’ll work with you, but I recommend having signed up for a course prior to the interview)
Paddle Canada canoe certification.
Assets to give you an edge from our perspective:
second language (french, german, mandarin)
Mi'kmaq heritage
campsite engineer
ability to maintain a smile while black flies pick your bones
Send a cover letter (important!) detailing what you've accomplished (in line with this job) that you're proud of and what you intend to do for us and how that'll translate to us becoming the best adventure tourism company in the world. Please include your resume, too. (info@whynotadventure.ca) Also, even if you don’t feel you’re qualified or are just nervous, send your resume and cover letter anyway (some of our finest team members almost didn’t apply…).