Certification, training, mentorship and more... for SKGABC guides.

SKGABC News

• 2008 Spring Exchange - Victoria, BC
  The spring exchange will be held April 18-20th, 2008 in Victoria, BC.  The exchange will be hosted by Ocean River Sports. More info
  
  
• Class 4 Waters Endorsement
  The SKGABC has recently created a new endorsement that allows guides to work in class 4 waters. More info
  
  
• Sea Kayaking BC Study
  The SKGABC and Tourism BC teamed up with Malaspina to create an extensive study on the sea kayaking sector in BC. Please log into the members section to access the full report.
  
  
• 2008 Exam Dates
  Spring 2008 Level 2 and 3 exam dates are now posted. Please click here for dates and locations
  
  
• Risk Management Session.   At the Spring 2007
  Egmont exchange, David Lecovin presented a session on current issues in Risk Management and legal liability. Click here to download the notes from David's session. At the Spring 2008 exchange in Victoria, David Lecovin will present a follow-up session on Legal Liability and Risk Management.
  
  
• SKGABC Executive Elections 2007 and AGM - more info here
  
  
• The Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC is now able to take credit card and debit payments for membership and exams through Paypal.  Once you fill out the form here you will be directed to the secure Paypal website where you can make payments to SKGABC.
  
  
• Uclulet Provincial Court finds a non-SKGABC sea kayaking company guilty of operating without a permit in the Broken Group Islands
  Click here for more details.
  
  
• SKGABC Certified Guides Page now on the website
  A listing of guides who have asked to have their name, certification level and date of certification is now on the SKGABC website. You can view the pages here. If you have been certified by the SKGABC and would like to have your name and certification level listed on the website please contact info@skgabc.com
  
  
• SKGABC Members Page
  The SKGABC has a new members only section on our website. Access to this page is restricted to members of the SKGABC. All members in good standing of the SKGABC will receive login information via email March 3, 2006
  
  
• Changes to the SKGABC Guide Certification Levels
  The SKGABC has made several changes to our certification levels. Level One Guide certification replaces Day Guide. Assistant Overnight Guide certification replaces Assistant Guide Certification. Level Two Guide certification is a new level. Level Three Guide certification replaces Full Guide certification. More Information.
  
  
• Cetus Research & Conservation Society
  Cetus Research & Conservation Society has new contact information for their marine education and monitoring programs - Straitwatch and the Robson Bight Marine Warden Program. Please update your address book with the this information
  
  
• Are you an Employee or Independent Contractor?
  A recent presentation to the SKGABC by the Rulings Division of the Federal Government's Canada Revenue Agency indicated that in almost all circumstances, guides are employees. Get a ruling and get paid correctly - More information
  
  
• If you hire people to work for your guiding company – whether they work full-time, part-time or on a casual or contract basis – you’re required to register with the Workers’ Compensation Board. More information ...
  
  
• The SKGABC Logo Usage Guidelines are now available. More information...

If you have a question about the SKGABC, please contact us!

10 Steps to Level Three Guide Certification
With The Sea Kayak Guides Alliance Of BC

1. Take a SKGABC endorsed Assistant Overnight Guide Training course and examination.

2. Maintain an approved minimum 40-hour wilderness first aid ticket and CPR”C”. Prior to challenging the Level Three Guide exam, the participant must have: Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) or taken AWFA at least once, prior to holding a current Occupational First Aid level 3 ticket.

3. Get a Restricted Marine (VHF) Radio Operators License.

4. Apply for membership in the SKGABC and for certification as an Assistant Overnight Guide. Membership and Certification forms are available at www.skgabc.com.   Upon successful completion of the Assistant Overnight course and examination (or a Level Two exam where the participant is examined to the Assistant Overnight standards), along with submission of all necessary paperwork, the applicant will receive a certificate of Certification for Assistant Overnight Guide.

5. Log 30 commercial overnight sea kayaking days [1] as an Assistant Overnight Guide.
1. SKGABC endorsed training days, regardless of overnights, count towards the 30 required days.
2. Must be logged in class 2 or 3 waters.

6. Take the SKGABC 2 day overnight Level Two Guide exam [2] and apply for certification as a Level Two Guide. Certification forms are available at www.skgabc.com.
1. Basic format

1. 100 question exam (multiple choice & short answer)
2. Practical hard skills exam – strokes, rescues, navigation, camp craft, etc.
3. Leadership & judgment scenario based assessment

7. Attend a SKGABC Guides Exchange within 3 years of examination (once every 3 years there after).

8. Log an additional 50 commercial overnight sea kayaking days as a Level Two Guide (or 80 commercial overnight days as an Assistant Overnight Guide). Must log at least 20 commercial days in Class 3 waters. In lieu of 20 commercial days in Class 3 waters, must log additional 30 personal overnight days in Class 3 waters

9. Take the SKGABC 3 day overnight Level Three Guide Exam.
1. Basic format:

1. 100 question exam (multiple choice & short answer)
2. Practical hard skills exam – strokes, rescues, navigation, camp craft, etc.
3. Leadership & judgment scenario based assessment

10. Attend a SKGABC Guides Exchange and participate in a leadership capacity (e.g. Lead a workshop on towing) once every 3 years.

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