This week we had guide training with Rob Burns of’Bold Point Centre- Sustainability Tourism Training’ and water rescue training with Jim Dehart of Destiny River Adventures.

The 3 day course by Rob Burns is something he has been developing for some time now and finally the industry has found a need for it. Sustainability training for guides. His hands on 3 day workshop teaches interpretation, natural history, regional cultural history, and the importance of guides to promote sustainable tourism. Rob states “this program delivery process has developed since the 1950’s mostly in National / Provincial Parks. Since about 2001, with the rise of Ecotourism, private tour companies have identified Interpretation Planning and program delivery as critical to their continued existence.”, and we believe him. I don’t believe I’ve met someone more enthusiastic about sustainability. If you would like to know more about Rob’s Bold Point Program he can be contacted at bpc@connected.bc.ca

Following the intensive sustainability training (some days starting at 8:00 and not finishing until 9:30 at night), our guides had a taste of extreme river safety training with Jim Dehart. It was quite a change from the classroom setting for all of our guides to be in the river all day long. For an all day river trip forget wetsuits, this was drysuit time. And talk about worst fears, imagine being held underwater by your instructor! Its a good thing we all know and like Jim. The purpose of the training was to teach our guides enhanced water safety in the worst possible conditions. Now that is a wilderness classroom experience.