"When I retired five years ago, I was looking for something to occupy my time. Kayak guiding has been the perfect transition. I just turned 71 and am going into my sixth season of guiding."
- Name: Arvid Hasse
- Guide Level: L1
- Years as an SKGABC member: Five Years
- Where do you work / paddle and for whom?: I paddle mainly in the Tofino area in Clayoquot Sound. I work for Tofino Sea Kayaking.
- How did you get in to paddling/guiding?: I have always been involved in outdoor activities such as windsurfing and snowboarding. I also spent time on the Ottawa River trying white water kayaking. When I retired five years ago, I was looking for something to occupy my time. Kayak guiding has been the perfect transition. I spent my working life in sales and sales management selling office products (how exciting). I just turned 71 and am going into my sixth season of guiding.
- What's a challenging memory or trip you've had as a guide and what did you take from it?: The biggest challenge I find is group management. On one particular windy trip with a group of five there was a capsize. While trying to rescue the one guest the rest kept paddling. My voice did not carry over the wind so they did not hear me. The problem was that the rescued guest had lost his paddle and was very nervous. The waves continued to build and what I really needed was someone to stabilize his kayak while I towed. Everything turned out alright in the end. So now what I try to impress on my guests before heading out is the need to be aware of the other paddlers in the group and stay together, especially when there is an incident.
- What's a favourite memory from an SKGABC Exchange?: One of my favourite memories was the white water experience at the Strathcona Park Lodge. I also enjoyed the Sea Shanty night. I didn’t sing one but really enjoyed those who did. It was a lot of fun.
- How did your SKGABC Exam go?: I wrote my final exam for my Level 1 Certificate in the pouring rain in a blistering wind storm under a tarp. I passed!
- Care to share a guiding-related fun fact?: Fun fact – it’s so embarrassing when the guide falls out of his boat in front of the guests.
Yes it usually happens once or twice a year. It never happened to me in deep water. But it has happened when I’m climbing out of my boat. And when it happens I simply tell the guests that I’m demonstrating how not to get out of your kayak. But it’s still embarrassing to have to finish the tour soaking wet.
Hahaha, can you please tell more of that story? I think a lot of guides have done that one! - If you could be any marine creature what would it be?: Not a marine creature. Definitely a bald eagle.
- Favourite spot in the world to arrive at and pull up your kayak ... Any spot in Clayoquot Sound.
We don’t offer specific “bear” tours but bear sightings do happen from time to time as do wolves. And when they do happen it’s an absolute thrill for our guests (and the guides as well). We do keep our distance to keep everyone safe.
But even the the little critters are a joy like these two banana slugs enjoying a little afternoon delight.
