Sierra South Kern River Raft Guide Schools

Sierra South Raft Guide Schools

Class 2-3 Guide School

Interested in guiding for money? This Guide School is for those who would like to guide the Lickety Split section of the Upper Kern River for Sierra South’s rafting season. This course will give a beginning rafter the foundation necessary to become a commercial Class 1-3 whitewater guide. No prior experience is necessary. You must be 16 years of age to be qualified to guide. You may be younger to take the class if you are going to turn 16 in the early part of the rafting season. (May-June).

You will be required to pass a 1st-Aid/CPR course in addition to guide school. These classes are taught through the Red Cross and other organizations. There is an additional charge for this class. You may take this class prior to the guide school. Sierra South offers our guide school for free to high school students. If you are out of high school, the cost is $150 for the class. All rafting gear and wetsuit package are provided. No meals are offered, please plan ahead and bring your own lunch, snacks and drinks. We will send you a list of personal gear if you are invited to tryouts.

Please see our Employment Information page and download. Fill out the form and send us the job application. After we review your application, we will contact you regarding a possible interview and confirm space in the guide school. Space is limited.

Class 2-3 Guide School: March 23-31, 2013
Cost: Free for high school students. $150 for applicants out of high school.

Class 4 Guide School

This Class 4 Guide School is for those who would like to work on the more demanding Class 4 section of the Upper Kern for the upcoming rafting season. This Guide School will have more intensive training geared toward advanced guide skills, river rescue, safety, overnight trips, wilderness cookery, and much more. This school is open to all interested persons 18 years of age and older. If you are interested in guiding, you can take the course at 18, but must be 19 to commercially guide with us. Completion of this course does not guarantee a whitewater position with Sierra South; however, we do hire guides from this class. You do not have to be interested in professionally guiding to take this course. Many private rafters will take this course to improve their boating skills by learning from commercial raft guides.

Class 4 Guide School: TBA
Cost: $295
Includes: Wetsuit package and some meals.

Download Employment Application (PDF)

FAX: (760) -376-1706