River Right
River Right refers to the right side of a river when facing downstream, which is an essential navigation term in river rafting and kayaking. When reading resumes from river guides, this term indicates experience with river navigation, directional commands, and safety protocols. It's similar to how boat captains use "starboard" but specifically for river environments. Understanding this term shows that a candidate has formal river guide training and can communicate effectively with both team members and guests during river trips.
Examples in Resumes
Successfully led over 100 trips through Class III rapids using River Right positioning techniques
Trained junior guides in River Right and River Left navigation commands
Maintained perfect safety record while managing guest positioning on River Right during technical rapids
Typical job title: "River Guides"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find River Guides
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle emergency situations when your raft is approaching a hazard on river right?
Expected Answer: A senior guide should describe clear communication protocols, preventive positioning strategies, and multiple backup plans for different scenarios. They should emphasize guest safety and team coordination.
Q: Describe your experience training new guides in river navigation.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership skills, teaching methodology, and ability to break down complex river reading skills into manageable learning steps for new guides.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you communicate river right maneuvers to guests during high-stress situations?
Expected Answer: Should explain clear, simple communication methods, how to keep guests calm, and demonstrate understanding of guest experience management.
Q: What factors do you consider when choosing between river right and river left approaches?
Expected Answer: Should discuss water levels, obstacle assessment, current patterns, and guest safety considerations in their decision-making process.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What does river right mean and when would you use this term?
Expected Answer: Should explain that river right is the right side of the river when facing downstream and demonstrate basic understanding of directional commands.
Q: What are the basic safety procedures when approaching a river right obstacle?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic evasive maneuvers, paddle commands, and guest communication protocols.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic paddle commands
- Understanding of river directional terms
- Basic safety procedures
- Guest communication basics
Mid (2-4 years)
- Advanced river navigation
- Emergency response handling
- Group management in rapids
- Weather pattern recognition
Senior (5+ years)
- Guide training and mentoring
- Advanced rescue techniques
- Trip leadership
- Risk management expertise
Red Flags to Watch For
- Inability to explain basic river terminology
- No formal swift water rescue certification
- Lack of first aid or wilderness first responder certification
- Poor communication skills or unclear command delivery
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