River Left
River Left is a directional term used in river rafting and kayaking that helps guides and staff describe locations on a river. When looking downstream (the direction the river flows), River Left refers to the left bank of the river. This term is essential for safety communications, trip planning, and giving directions to guests. It's considered more reliable than using "left" or "right" alone because it always refers to the same side of the river regardless of which way someone is facing. The opposite term is "River Right." These terms appear frequently in job descriptions for river guides and outdoor recreation positions.
Examples in Resumes
Led safety briefings and guided tours from River Left launch points on Class III-IV rapids
Coordinated guest pickup locations at River Left access points along 20-mile stretches
Trained new guides on identifying River Left emergency exit routes and rescue positions
Typical job title: "River Guides"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find River Guides
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Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you use River Left in trip planning and guide training?
Expected Answer: A senior guide should explain how they use River Left for creating detailed trip plans, marking emergency access points, and teaching new guides about river navigation. They should mention how it helps in coordinating with emergency services and planning guest meetup points.
Q: Describe a challenging situation where clear communication about River Left was crucial.
Expected Answer: Should share a specific example showing their leadership in using proper river terminology to manage safety or logistics, demonstrating why standardized directional terms are important.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you explain River Left to new guests during safety briefings?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to clearly explain river directional terms to beginners, including how they use visual aids or memorable examples to help guests understand and remember.
Q: What are key River Left features on your regular routes that guides need to know?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe important landmarks, hazards, or access points on River Left for their common routes, showing practical knowledge of river navigation.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is River Left and how do you determine it?
Expected Answer: Should explain that River Left is the left side of the river when facing downstream, and demonstrate understanding of why this standard terminology is important for safety and communication.
Q: How do you communicate River Left hazards to other guides?
Expected Answer: Should show basic knowledge of how to spot and communicate hazards using proper terminology, understanding the importance of clear communication in river safety.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic understanding of river directional terms
- Ability to identify River Left while on water
- Basic river safety protocols
- Clear communication with guests
Mid (2-4 years)
- Detailed knowledge of river features
- Emergency response coordination
- Guest instruction techniques
- Navigation in various conditions
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced trip planning
- Guide training and mentoring
- Emergency situation management
- Detailed route knowledge and risk assessment
Red Flags to Watch For
- Confusion about basic river directional terms
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of safety awareness
- Unable to read river features and conditions
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