Choose an SKGABC certified guide for your next trip.

The following is a list of SKGABC members who are available for employment. Please use the provided point of contact to get in touch with a certified guide. 

Human powered ocean travel comes with inherent risk. That's part of the adventure, but our guides are ready. Our Level One Guides are fully trained in Standard First Aid, a minimum of 16 hours of training including CPR-C certification.  They have Restricted Operator Certificates for VHF radio, logged mentorship days with experienced guides, and refresh their certification with On-Going Training opportunities at minimum every three years. Wherever your adventure takes you, you're in good company.

Level One Guides are certified to lead day trips in Class 1 waters, and certified to lead day trips in Class 2 waters when in direct communication to on-site/base manager.

Assistant Overnight Guides have met all the requirements of Level One Guides. Additionally, they complete the SKGABC Assistant Overnight Guide Course and Exam and maintain current 40-hour Wilderness First Aid certification. They can paddle in surf, prepare a three-course backcountry meal, and manage a complex evacuation.

An AOG is certified as per a Level 1 guide, plus an AOG may assist a SKGABC Level 2 or 3 guide on overnight trips in Class 1, 2, or 3 waters. An AOG in direct communication with a Mothership Vessel may independently lead day trips in class two waters only after logging 30 days assisting with another guide.

Our Level Two Guides are highly experienced sea kayaking professionals who have logged at least 30 professional days of expedition sea kayak guiding as an Assistant Overnight Guide, and passed a multi-day Level Two Exam.

They know their way around the water, have done long haul trips to test their limits, and refresh their certification with On-going Training opportunities at minimum every 3 years to support their readiness.

A Level Two Guide is certified to lead day and overnight trips in Class 1 and 2 waters, and may assist a Level Three Guide in class 3 waters. A Level Two Guide may assistant-teach a Level 1 or AOG course under the approval and supervision of a Guide Trainer or Examiner.

After meeting all the requirements for Levels One and Two, Level Three Guides log a minimum of 80 commercial guiding days on overnight trips, long hauls, and in challenging Class Three Waters. They spend enough time on the water to be considered an aquatic life form before passing a rigorous multiday expedition Level Three Exam.

A Level Three Guide is certified to lead day and overnight trips in Class 1, 2, and 3 waters, and may assist on any SKGABC course if approved by the Guide Trainer or Guide Examiner delivering the program.

Guide Trainers meet all the requirements for Level Three, as well as logging 200 additional commercial sea kayak guiding days including at least 40 in Class Three waters. Guide Trainers log at least 21 days of assisting on SKGABC guide training courses before being granted their certification and leading courses on their own. Guide Examiners have met and surpassed all the requirements for Trainers, logged an additional 300 days of commercial sea kayak guiding, assisted on multiple Level Two and Three exams, and received multiple letters of recommendation from mentor Examiners. The highest standards of technical, theoretical, practical, and interpersonal skills are required, and ongoing self-improvement is necessary to become a Trainer or Examiner.

  • Class 4 Waters Endorsement: Certified to lead in Class 1,2,3 and 4 waters and assist any course.
  • Guide Trainer: Certified to lead in Class 1, 2, and 3 waters, deliver any course, and examine Level 1 and Assistant Overnight Guides. May assist a Guide Examiner on Level 2 and Level 3 Exams.
  • Guide Examiner Level 2: Certified to lead in Class 1, 2, and 3 waters, assist any course, and examine on Level 2 exams
  • Guide Examiner Level 3: Certified to lead in Class 1, 2, and 3 waters may deliver any course and examine on Level 2 and Level 3 exams.