2008 Sea Kayaking Guides (and this summer...Interns!)

Applications are by resume only. Send us a resume with details about your personal and professional experience. A recent photo can also be helpful. Thank you!

Working as a sea kayak guide in the San Juan Islands can be one of the most rewarding summer jobs you could ask for. At Anacortes Kayak Tours we are working hard to raise the bar for how commercial kayak tours are operated. Not only is it important to us to provide a satisfying experience for our guests, we are also commited to providing an environment of fun and learning for our staff. Life is too short to just go through the motions! Utilizing the highest quality equipment for both our guests, and for our guides, increases both the safety and comfort margins on the tours.  Our guides paddle boats made by Nigel Dennis Kayaks, possibly the best all-around sea kayak made today. If you are interested in refining skills you already have, or taking your knowledge to a new level, then these boats will help speed that process.

Looking for an internship? Email us for details.

We are looking for professional, mature, and fun people who are looking for outdoor jobs.

We have one of the more comprehensive guide training programs in the area. This is a professional position which we believe requires professional training. All guides who join our team are required to attend one of our our multi-day guide training courses with Body Boat Blade International. These guys are amazing, world-class sea kayak instructors. Even our most experienced guides come away from these classes astounded at their new skill level, and chastened that they knew less about sea kayaking than they thought they did (perhaps the most valuable aspect of the course).

In 2007 we are running two separate three-day courses. One will take place on May 18-20. The other on June 17-19. We will likely spend one day of each course in the swift waters of Deception Pass, and then out for two days in the San Juans. Both nights we will be camping. Under the expert instructon of Body Boat Blade, we'll take advantage of the strong currents to learn how to make safe crossings, rescue in fast moving water, self rescue, group dynamics, and dealing with whatever comes up. These classes are exceptional opportunities to increase not only your personal skill levels, but also your ability to assess risk out on the water.

There is a cost of $300 for this training program. Cost includes all food for three days, all paddling equipment, and awesome instruction. A class like this would usually cost over $600, but because Body Boat Blade believes in our comprehensive approach to guide training, they make it very affordable to us. Participants will need to bring their own sleeping bags and sleeping pads.

We will reimburse $100 of this cost to each staff member if they stay throughout the season, or until the agreed upon date of departure.

We know how valuable this training is, and we commend our colleagues for following our lead. The better companies out here now implement an abbreviated version of this training into their programs.

In addition to the formal course, we have our own in-house training. No guide goes out on the water with guests until we feel comfortable with their abilities. Guides are expected to set aside certain pre-season days for training. They are also expected to take it upon themselves to go out on the water as much as possible to refine the skills that they have been taught. We will happily loan our gear to motivated guides. (And because we exist in the "real world", the more effort that a person puts into the position, the more they will get out of the job. We notice, and reward, those who go above and beyond the job description.)

Qualifications: Strong leadership skills in outdoor activities; A degree in natural sciences or outdoor recreation is a plus; Working knowledge of the natural history of the area is very important, qualified applicants are able to lead a detailed discussion of marine natural history;
Experience in multi-day kayaking, and traveling in a marine environment; A sunny, professional personality; Strong work ethic (the job can be demanding); Ability to lift 50+ pounds with no difficulty; Clean driving record; Current First-Aid and CPR, WA Food Handler's Permit.

Required Equipment: Like any professional position, this job has some tools that qualified applicants will need to bring to the job. In order to be prepared to help yourselves and your guests in the event of an emergency, or accidental capsize, you will need these things. Our pro-purchase accounts are available to staff members to obtain these items as well as a long list of other goodies.

1) Immersion Wear: While a dry-suit is naturally the best option, the cost can be prohibitive for some. We require that all guides wear- at a minimum- a dry top (short or long-sleeved). A dry top will cost about $100 for an good, yet inexpensive model. If you would rather wear a shortie wet-suit with a spray-top then that is also acceptable. Clammy, hot, and uncomfortable, but fine by us. We've got a variety of pro-purchase programs to get you outfitted for the summer.

If it seems excessive for us to require this, we recommend that you talk to any guide that has accidentally capsized while on a tour. The cold water makes a self-rescue very difficult, sometimes impossible, if you aren't dressed for it.

Dressing for immersion will not only create a vastly safer environment for you to conduct a tour, it will also help you develop your paddling skills throughout the summer. Fear of capsize is the #1 hindrance to becoming an accomplished paddler.

2) Knife: A blunt tipped rescue knife is a vital tool for any guide in paddlesports.

3) Compass and Charts: An inexpensive, handheld compass from REI is another vital part of any guide's toolkit. If you are an outdoorsy person you should already have one. SeaTrails makes a terrific series of charts of the area that we can get for you at wholesale prices ($7 per chart, or $25 for the San Juan Series). We've got a few that cover the less paddled parts of the islands to loan out, but you'll need to provide the one chart that covers our primary area.

-We will provide all of the rest of your rescue kit and paddling gear.-

(in all your investment in gear will total about $145, or a couple of decent days worth of tips)

Duties: Leading guided kayak tours in a safe and professional manner. All guides will also be asked to help out occasionally with logistics. Maintaining and cleaning the equipment is a less glamorous, but vital, part of the job as well. Guides will sometimes be asked come in to help with things other than paddling a kayak. A more complete job description will come with an interview.

We are also looking for Office/Logistics staff as well. If you feel that you are qualified for both types of jobs then definitely let us know when you apply.

Applicants can send resumes via email to info@anacorteskayaktours.com, or snail mail to 1801 Commercial Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221.

updated December 3, 2007