Re: [Paddlewise] Guide training?

To guide in Maine you must pass the Maine Guide test administered by 
the state. Guiding without being a registered Maine Guide is illegal in 
Maine. The test includes a written and an oral section. If you want to 
guide kayaks you must also take the sea kayak portion of the test. This 
does not include any on-the-water testing. Their is no training 
required to take the test or to be a guide. If is conceivable that you 
can pass the test to be a registered Maine guide without ever having 
placed a paddle in the water. You can learn everything required to pass 
the test by reading books.

The only qualifications required to guide in Maine is to be a 
registered Maine guide. Passing the test would probably guarantee your 
ability to get a job at one of the many outfitters which do 3-hour 
tours in Bar Harbor. The test is not easy, so there is demand for 
registered guides.

However, having personally pulled a couple of registered guides out of 
the water when they did something really ignorant, I can tell you that 
doing what it takes to be a legally registered Maine Guide does not 
give you what you need to be any damn good. It is just the lowest 
requirement. Becoming a guide who can reliably keep guests safe and out 
of trouble requires experience. Classes will help learn some of the 
skills, but time on the water is the best training.

Tom Berg at Maine Island Kayak gives guiding classes. I have not taken 
his classes, but he has an excellent reputation. Take some classes, get 
on the water, do some trips.
Nick

On Nov 23, 2003, at 4:55 PM, TomL wrote:

> Is there a specific regimen of training and assessments through which 
> interested sea kayakers work to attain guide certification?
>
> If there are various certifications, which is the most valuable in 
> terms of learning the best kayak seamanship? In terms of guide 
> employment value?
>
> Has anyone on the forum attended guide schools in the northeast USA? I 
> live in southwestern Maine. Would you have any recommendations?
>
> Thanks in advance for your advice!
>
Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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