HOW TO CHOOSE AN OUTFITTER OR GUIDE
Written by Chase Van Gorder
Mr. Van Gorder is admitted to practice in state and
federal courts in Washington, Alaska and Vermont, and in federal court in New York.
He is a
TAPS board member and TAPS secretary.
Van
Gorder Law Offices
Post Office Box 5645, Bellingham, WA 98227-5645
Telephone: (360) 671-7900, Fax: (360) 671-6395, Email: chase@vglaw.com
Now that you have
decided to try a sea kayaking trip, and don't have the equipment or the
knowledge to do it on your own, how do you choose from among the many outfitters and guides offering their services to the public? The choices can be overwhelming and the stakes are great, both in terms of financial expenses and limited leisure time. Mo
st often, picking the right outfitter is THE key to a fulfilling experience. Following are some tips in how to choose the right outfitter for YOU.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
The first criterion will usually be where you want to go on your trip. No outfitter goes everywhere - every outfitter's trip offerings are limited by experience and logistics. You might first want to narrow the areas that you would like to visit. Do you want a single day or a weekend expedition that is within driving distance of home? If you want a longer multi-day trip, will you drive or fly? Do you want sandy, desert beaches (Baja, Mexico), rugged coastlines (Maine), wilderness bays (Alaska), tropical rain forests (Belize)? The possibilities are almost endless. Factors to take into consideration might be: remote or civilized areas; foreign countries or domestic waters; sandy beaches or rocky shorelines; open ocean or
protected bays and inland waterways; drive or fly in?
What type of experience?
Outfitters offer many different types of experiences on their expeditions. You need to find out what options are available and which will be most suite
d to you. Ask for a detailed itinerary for trips you are considering.
Would you like a trip with a fixed base camp from which day trips are taken, or are you willing to put up and take down a new camp every day or two. Are you willing to paddle a fu
lly loaded kayak between camps, or do you want a support boat or vehicle to do that work for you? Do you want the niceties of civilization such as iced beer and margaritas waiting on the beach for your arrival after the day's exertions? Would you prefer having meals prepared for you, or are you more interested in doing the cooking yourself, either cooperatively or alone? Are prepared for leisurely paddling only a few miles of protected water each day, or are you prepared for longer distance paddling and open water crossing? Is paddling what you most want to do, or would you rather focus on other pursuits as well, such as shore walks? What guide to client ratio would you prefer? Remember that your choice may in part be determined by what you can afford to pay!
Professional qualifications
You should check out the experience and qualifications of your outfitter and the guides that will be leading your trip. Find out if there is some form of governmental licensing in the juri
sdiction where you plan to travel, and if so, determine whether the outfitter and guides are fully licensed. If there is a professional organization for kayak outfitters and guides, are your potential outfitter and guides members? What certifications are held by the prospective outfitter and guides?
Safety
Safety is a basic consideration when choosing an outfitter. In part, safety is a matter of experience in the industry. But safety is also a matter of training, resources
and preparation. Are the guides on the trip trained in first aid, emergency medicine or swiftwater rescue? How extensive is the first aid kit, and do the guides really know how to use its contents? Will there be an emergency two-way radio available on
the trip? In the case of trouble, will the outfitter be able to get a client transported quickly and safely to medical facilities.
Insurance
ASK if the outfitter is fully insured in the case of accidents. Is medical insurance a part of the outfitter's insurance package? If not, be sure you are covered by your own insurance, or purchase a health insurance policy just for the trip. Don't be afraid to ask for the outfitter's certificate of insurance, but do it ahead of time,
not as you are about to step into the boat to begin the trip. Ask if you will be required to sign a liability release form, and if so, request a copy in advance.
Reputation
Perhaps the most tried and true method for choosing
an appropriate outfitter is word of mouth reputation. Ask your friends and fellow kayakers if they have ever taken a trip with an outfitter. If they have, ask how they liked it and whether they would go again with that same outfitter or guides. Ask an
outfitter for references. Sure, an outfitter may be selective in the names that are given out, but you can judge for yourself whether the references are being honest in there comments.
Be Honest and True to Yourself
In formulating the answers to the questions set forth above, and in deciding what kind of trip you want to take, be honest in your selection process. Don't sign up for a wilderness trip if you've never been camping before, or if you insist on a hair dry
er and flush toilet. Don't take a long trip with extensive open water crossings if you are out of shape or have never paddled a sea kayak before. Don't over-estimate your sea kayaking abilities. Don't compromise too many of the variables set out above
just to find a trip in a particular place or time frame.
When you talk to a prospective outfitter (and you should ALWAYS do so before signing up), be up front about what you want and what you expect. Not every trip is suitable for everyone. Outfitters want you
to be honest when deciding if an expedition is right for you. From their perspective, the one thing that is worse than no client is an unhappy client!
During and After the Trip
Nobody likes a whiner, and although they may try
to be, most kayaking guides are not omniscient. They may not always be aware that someone is having a hard time with the demands of paddling, or of interpersonal conflict between clients. If you note a legitimate problem, or if you have a suggestion for making the trip better, take the guide aside and let him or her know. Guides can't try to fix it if they don't know it's broke.
After the trip is over, let the guides know how you liked the trip, and what you particularly liked or disliked. It is tough to improve a trip without feedback from the clients. If the guide works for an outfitter, let the outfitter know how things went. Guiding is a service-oriented business, and the focus of successful outfitters and guides has to be in satisfying their
clients. Repeat clients can often form the basis of an outfitter's business.
Finally, once the trip is over and you are back at home, let your friends and co-workers know if you've had a good time. If so, they will be green with envy, and they will remember your recommendation if they ever consider taking a similar trip.
Written by Chase Van Gorder
Mr. Van Gorder is admitted to practice in state and
federal courts in Washington, Alaska and Vermont, and in federal court in New York. He is a
TAPS member.
Van Gorder Law Offices
Post Office Box 5645
Bellingham, WA 98227-5645
Telephone: (360) 671-7900
Facsimile: (360) 671-6395
Email: chase@vglaw.com
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