Raft Guide Training: The Class VI - Mountain River Way

So you wanna be a raft guide? Our guides go through rigorous training on and off the rivers in order to check out on West Virginia white water.

Class VI- Mountain River Raft Guides: in a class all their own.

So what does it take to be a raft guide? Depending on the river, a lot! A sense of humor, desire to meet people, ability to think quickly under pressure, and physical fitness are important in great raft guides.

West Virginia white water is some of the best in the world. From Class 1-2 on the Upper New River to gnarly Class V on the Upper Gauley, we have it all. Guides start on the New RIver. Only after years of experience and with a personal recommendation can guides work on the Gauley river. The Upper Gauley is experts only. Period. Pure and simple. Get on that river and you'll see why.

Training Process:

We have an internal guide training program that involves 10 weeks of training on the New River. Training starts in mid-March and guides usually "graduate" Memorial Day weekend. The training is for New River only. New River guides generally aren't able to run the Gauley until at least their 3rd year.
Gauley guides typically have 3-4 or more years of experience on Class IV -V white water before they can guide the Upper, and Class IV white water for the Lower.

Required Certifications for Raft Guides

Department of Natural Resources
1. Basic First Aid
2. Minimum of 15 runs on the river section to be able to guide on it

Additional Class VI-Mountain River Requirements

1. Advanced First Aid for head guides
2. Wilderness First Responder for trip leaders
3. Minimum of 40 runs on the river section to be able to guide on it
4. Minimum of 3 "check out" runs with a senior guide.

If you'd like to apply to be a raft guide, please do so here.