What to Expect As a New Mexico River Adventures Guide!

Has it been your lifelong dream to become a river rafting king or queen? Do you just love the thrill and excitement of riding amazing rapids every summer day? If you answered yes to any of those questions, than have you ever considered becoming a guide? Well, in this article, we’ll attempt to answer a few common questions and try to show you exactly what you can expect as a New Mexico River Adventures guide.

“What are some things most People Don’t Understand About the Job?”

To start off with this not-so-glamorous question; the stress and risks of this job are actually really big when you think about it. In this day and age, risk management is a much more serious thing than it was in the past. Things like cold water-induced shock, allergies, and even cardiac arrest are things you must take into account when you are in this job. For example: if one of your passengers, an elderly gentleman, is thrown out of the raft and starts to panic when he hits the cold water, you could definitely have a problem.

“Do I really need a certification?”

This is a really common question, and the short answer is yes, yes you do need a certification. Part of the reason you need it is because it provides peace of mind for the passengers, and likewise, it ensures that all of our guides understand the river itself and are able to think on their feet and make quick judgement calls, no matter the situation. For example: let’s say the raft flips and the passengers fall out. Unless our guides have a certification, we won’t know how they will respond. And the lives of the passengers are in their hands, or oars.

“How old do I have to be to be a river rafting guide?

All river rafting guides must be at least 18 years or older to become a guide. However, the truth is that experience is the key to this job. Most of the river rafting trips require a lot of upper-body strength, and sadly, even some 20-30 year olds just don’t have that strength. And the farther up in rapid Class you go, the more strength and stamina you need. So, the key to longevity in this job is to stay fit and know your limitations.

“What is the most rewarding part of being a river rafting guide?”

A lot of mainstream rafting companies are all about the money and will tell you so. But, the truth is that at New Mexico River Adventures, we change lives and we believe that anyone can experience adventure. And that in itself is one of the most, if not the most, rewarding parts about this job. You can literally take someone who is scared of water, or someone who is depressed and sad and put a smile on their face within moments of being in one of our rafts. That is why we do this. That is the reward!

These are some of the things you can expect as a New Mexico River Adventures Guide. For more articles like this, or to get updates, subscribe to our newsletter, or like us on Facebook. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram.