Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Ferry Angle • Pillow • Shuttle

Paddle Raft

Term from River Rafting Guiding industry explained for recruiters

A Paddle Raft is a specific type of inflatable river raft where each guest has their own paddle and actively participates in moving the boat, unlike oar rafts where only the guide controls the boat. It's typically 12-14 feet long and carries 4-8 guests plus a guide. This setup is popular for team building activities and giving guests a more hands-on experience. Guides need special skills to coordinate a group of paddlers while maintaining safety and control of the raft. When reviewing resumes, you might see this mentioned alongside terms like "oar raft" or "stern frame" experience.

Examples in Resumes

Led Paddle Raft trips through Class III-IV rapids on the American River

Trained new guides in Paddle Raft techniques and paddle commands

Maintained safety records for over 200 Paddle Raft trips

Typical job title: "Paddle Raft Guides"

Also try searching for:

River Guide Whitewater Guide Paddle Captain Rafting Guide Adventure Guide Paddle Boat Guide

Where to Find Paddle Raft Guides

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Social Networks

• LinkedIn Rafting Professionals
• Facebook Rafting Groups

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle group dynamics when leading a paddle raft with inexperienced guests?

Expected Answer: Looking for answers about clear communication, assessing individual abilities, positioning stronger paddlers strategically, and maintaining positive group morale while ensuring safety.

Q: Describe your approach to training new guides in paddle raft operations.

Expected Answer: Should discuss safety protocols, communication techniques, progressive skill building, and how to teach new guides to manage both the technical aspects and guest experience.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What paddle commands do you use and how do you ensure guests understand them?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic commands (forward, back, stop), demonstrate clear communication style, and discuss methods for teaching commands to guests during safety talks.

Q: How do you adjust your guiding style based on water levels?

Expected Answer: Should discuss reading water conditions, adjusting paddle team positioning, and modifying route choices based on different water levels.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the essential safety checks before launching a paddle raft?

Expected Answer: Should mention checking equipment, fitting PFDs properly, safety talk content, and basic paddle instruction for guests.

Q: How do you perform a safety demonstration for first-time rafters?

Expected Answer: Should cover proper paddle holding, basic commands, what to do if someone falls out, and how to make safety information engaging and memorable.