Outdoor Recreation Guide

Tasks & duties

Outdoor recreation guides may do some or all of the following:

• plan or help plan outdoor recreation activities
• teach skills needed for outdoor recreation activities
• lead, guide and encourage people taking part in activities
• tell people about the local area and environment
• ensure activities are run as safely as possible
• analyse the risk involved in a situation, including assessing the weather conditions and people's capabilities
• check and maintain recreation equipment such as ropes and rafts, as well as grounds and facilities
• practise rescue techniques and take part in rescues if necessary
• prepare food and set up tents

Specialisations

Outdoor recreation guides may specialise in a particular activity such as:

Skills & knowledge

Outdoor recreation guides need to have:

Entry requirements

To become an outdoor recreation guide you need to have a high level of skill and experience in the relevant outdoor activity. Some employers prefer to hire people who have had some life experience, rather than those straight from school.
A certificate in first aid or outdoor first aid is also required.
There are no compulsory qualifications for most outdoor recreation guide work in New Zealand. The exception is rafting.

Qualifications needed to become a rafting guide

Rafting guides need to be qualified for the grade of river they want to work on. For example, guides working on a Grade 2 river must have a National Raft Guide Grade 2 award.

Secondary education

Three years of secondary education is useful to become an outdoor recreation guide. Useful subjects include English and physical education.

Tertiary education

Outdoor recreation certificates, diplomas and degrees are available from many tertiary providers such as polytechnics, universities and private training establishments. 

Getting credit for your existing sports skills

Experienced sportspeople can get their skills assessed by  New Zealand Outdoor Instructors' Association (NZOIA) to get formal qualifications. These qualifications are the same as those issued by Skills Active, the sports, fitness and recreation industry training organisation. Qualifications include:

• abseiling
• alpine trips (up to those that involve safety ropes)
• bush trips (generally below the snow line)
• canoeing
• caving
• kayaking
• outdoor safety management and leading overnight or day trips
• rock climbing (from artificial walls to establishing new sites)
• sea kayaking

Applicants need a first aid certificate and a log book showing their experience.

Advanced training for mountaineers

The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association provides advanced training and qualifications for climbing, trekking and skiing guides. This includes the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA) qualification.

Training on the job

You can train on the job with approved employers and get a qualification through Skills Active. Outdoor recreation guides may attend refresher courses.

Registration

There is no current registration system for recreation guides. The New Zealand Outdoor Registration Board is a new body that registers outdoor recreation instructors. It requires certain qualifications and experience. This registration scheme may be extended to guides in future.

Other requirements

Outdoor recreation guides who drive passenger vehicles need to have held a Class 2 or a Class 4 driver's licence (depending on the size of the bus) for at least six months. They also need to have a 'P' (Passenger) endorsement on their licence to show they can carry passengers.

Useful experience

Useful experience for outdoor recreation guides includes:

Related courses

Sport and Recreation Activities
Tourism Studies

For more information, please refer to Career Services.