Outdoor guiding is one of those “fun jobs” you might do for a summer during college, or on a sabatical from the real world. No one does this as a career, right? Well, mostly. If you have ever been on a whitewater rafting trip, somewhere along the journey your guide likely fielded the question, “so, what do you do in the winter?” Chances are, your guide responded, “ski instructor/student/snowmobile guide.” The truth about these fun outdoor jobs is that they are seasonal, which means to make a career of them, guides must either migrate with the seasons, or live in a place that has both summer and winter opportunities. Most guides fit these jobs in between college semesters, or for a breif stint in thier early 20’s, before getting “real jobs”.

Rafting the White Nile outside of Jinja, Uganda

My journey began in 2008, on a guided rafting trip down the Snake River outide of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As we splashed through whitewater rapids, another passenger inevitabley asked the what-do-you-do-in-the-winter question. Without missing a beat, our guide responed, “I work on the Nile.”

Could this be real? I though to myself. I couldn’t beleive there were people out there, making lives out of endless summers and whitewater rafting. Two years later, I was enrolled in guide school.

Even after what I had seen in Wyoming, I struggled to beleive that I would be guiding longer than one summer. Well, here I am 10 years later, still guiding, still loving it. So what kept me? Was it the chronically uncertiain work schedule, the bi-annual job hunt, having to move every 6 months? It was all of those things and much more. Every day for the past 10 years has been an adventure. Seasonal layoffs, and the ability to work around the globe, have allowed me to explore parts of the world I never would have found the time to visit otherwise. I meet new, intersting people every day, and I never get tired of telling people about my winter jobs.

Can you imagine yourself living the river guide life? This spring WSSUP is offering introductions. Our second annual internship program kicks off Monday April 20th. This 8 day intensive course covers whitewater rafting, stand up paddle, and all the tips, tricks and gear you will need to become a successful river guide. Check out the details on our Internship page. *Preference will be given to graduating Delta County High School Seniors*

About the Author: Daniel Roman is a river guide at Western Slope SUP. This winter you can find him working behind the bar at Needle Rock Brewing Company in Delta, Colorado.

Why I Guide