Outdoor sport and recreational guides
Career Overview
Outdoor sport and recreational guides:
- Organize and conduct trips or expeditions for sports enthusiasts, adventurers, tourists and resort guests
- Work for private companies and resorts
- May be self-employed
Job Titles
Duties
Outdoor sport and recreational guides perform some or all of the following duties:
- Pan itinerary for trip or expedition and arrange transportation or transport individuals or group to site
- Gather necessary equipment and supplies, such as camping gear, rafts, life jackets, fishing tackle and food
- Lead or guide individuals or groups
- Advise on safety and emergency measures, techniques and the use of equipment
- Give instruction for activities such as canoeing, rafting and mountain climbing
- Offer information about specific regulations such as hunting and fishing laws and boating regulations, following environmental guidelines and preventing violations
- Give first aid in emergency situations
- May prepare meals for group and set up camp
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
410% Employed Full Time
9%Key aspects of the work in this occupation:
- Work takes place outdoors in various weather conditions
- Work locations may be rugged and dangerous, with the potential for injury
Career Pathways
Outdoor sport and recreational guides usually work on a seasonal basis.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- Knowledge of a particular terrain or body of water, demonstrated ability in the guided activity and relevant licences are required for employment in this group
- Hot air balloon pilots require completion of 10 hours of ground school, 16 hours of pilot-in-command experience and a Balloon Pilot Licence issued by Transport Canada
- Certification in first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) may be required
Those who are certified for an occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
For details on how to apply for certification in B.C., contact the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development: Natural Resource Online Services.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Adventure Tourism
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Convincing others to change their mind or behaviour.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
410Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 25 | 6.1% |
| Kootenay | 15 | 3.7% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 160 | 39.0% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 30 | 7.3% |
| Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 70 | 17.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 105 | 25.6% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
140Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
| Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
| Mainland/Southwest | 70 | 1.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 40 | 1.7% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 30 | 0.8% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 60 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 40 |
| Agriculture and Fishing | 20 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 10 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 10 |
Resources
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BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF)www.bcwf.net
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Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia (GOABC)www.goabc.org
