Passionate about kayaking? Then turn your passion and mastery into a rewarding career. Using your knowledge of kayaking techniques, you can guide others and help them build their confidence and competence. This article will take you through three methods of finding kayaking jobs and the types of jobs available.
Finding Kayaking Positions
There are multiple ways to find an enjoyable kayaking position that will fully utilize your strengths and skills. This section will take you through three methods for finding a kayaking position with a credible company.
Methods of Finding Kayaking Jobs
Kayaking positions require you to be a decent paddler with some experience in kayaking or other relevant water sports, mainly if you work as an instructor or coach. Fortunately, once you have the experience, finding kayaking positions is easy.
1. Search on Credible Job Sites
One method involves applying for jobs on Indeed or other well-known sites. When using another job site, the process for searching may be different, but you should be able to search for the title of the role and the location. For Indeed, you can create an account to access all the features on offer.
Steps for Applying for Kayaking Opportunities on Indeed
Step 1: Search ‘Indeed’ on any web search engine and click on the Indeed website. If you want to use a different job site, you can type the name of that site instead and follow their procedures for searching for a position.
Step 2: If you are using a laptop or computer, the middle of the page should have a search bar with two input elements. You can input your location under the ‘What’ element and search the word ‘Kayaking.’ If you know the specific type of kayaking position, replace ‘Kayaking’ with that title. The user interface may be different if you use your mobile, so navigate the site and locate the input elements.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Find Jobs’ button on the right-hand side of the elements, and you should see a list of roles on the page. Filter by department and experience level depending on your requirements. You can also filter by the date posted and salary estimate.
Step 4: To see newer postings, sort the opportunities by date and select the title that fits your desire.
Step 5: When clicking on a post, details will pop up on the screen, including the full job description. After confirming that you want to apply, click on the ‘Apply’ button. Some postings will take you to the recruitment site for the company, while others let you apply directly using your CV.
2. Reaching Out to Activity Centers
Another method of finding a kayaking position is contacting a water sports activity center with a kayaking department. You can visit the center and ask for information regarding their vacancies or go on their careers website (if it is available).
Perform a quick Google search with the phrase ‘activity centers near me’ or ‘kayaking near me,’ and you should see all of the closest centers. If you are interested in applying for multiple centers or companies, create a spreadsheet to track who you want to contact.
Contact a Potential Mentor on LinkedIn With Kayaking Experience
Reaching out on LinkedIn can help you find a kayaking mentor who has experience in finding kayaking-related roles. With a mentor, you have access to more information about the industry, and they may help you contact companies. Keep in mind that anyone you reach out to is likely busy, so do not be discouraged if they take longer to reply.
Steps for Reaching Out to a Potential Mentor
Step 1: Create a LinkedIn account and fill in your details, including experience, certifications, etc. If you have a LinkedIn account with connections, the following steps will be more straightforward.
Step 2: Click on the search bar on the top left-hand side of the page and search for ‘Kayaking’. Filter by categories such as posts, people, and companies; if you already have a network, you may be able to access profiles for kayaking instructors.
Step 3: If you do not have access to any profiles, search for posts, and filter through the posts to find a potential mentor.
Step 4: Comment or engage with their kayaking posts as it would build up a presence. Once you’ve done so, send a message and ask to connect. Once you are connected, politely ask about their journey into kayaking as a career. Use the information you exchange to begin your job search. Head to the Active On The Water website to learn more about kayaking before contacting a potential mentor.
Types of Kayaking Jobs
Coaching and instructing are not the only positions for kayaking; there are plenty of jobs that involve all aspects of the kayaking experience, including setting out the river routes for visitors. This section will cover the different kayaking positions that may interest you.
1. Kayaking Instructor/Coach
As a kayaking instructor, you need all the skills, strengths, and techniques to kayak independently and teach others. Many instructor positions require you to have certifications and be part of kayaking associations.
Instructors need to complete safeguarding training, core coach training, rescue training, and training for soft skills. Kayaking coaches also need good communication skills to convey information and engage their students.
Lastly, instructors must be capable of demonstrating how to use the tools and correcting postures and techniques for the age groups they teach.
2. Kayaking River Guide
A kayaking river guide is responsible for giving entertaining tours through a river or designated body of water. River guide tasks involve greeting participants, giving safety briefs, performing the tour, and entertaining guests throughout the tour.
As with an instructor, they will need training and qualifications to become successful river guides. The training differs depending on location and company. However, there will likely be first aid training, rescue training, and other safety courses.
3. Coaching Advisor
A coaching advisor requires expert knowledge in kayaking and a few years of coaching or instructor experience. Coaching advisors are less involved in the teaching aspect of kayaking, and they are often experts in policies and techniques.
In addition, coaching advisors are often short-to-medium term positions since organizations hire them to solve specific problems. A company may employ a kayaking advisor to help design a route for their guides, set out training regimens for instructor courses, etc.
4. Beach Staff
Being a part of beach staff means you may be completing tasks not to do with kayaking. Some beach staff spends time on the beach, and others in an office. However, beaches frequented by kayakers often have tours and guides in which you can participate.
Being part of the department that handles kayaking tours and experiences means you can kayak more often. You may have the opportunity to plan the tours.
Qualifications of Kayaking Instructors
As an instructor, you need CPR, first aid, and water safety qualifications. First aid certifications ensure that you can perform rescue operations during emergencies and help your students feel safer under your tutelage.
Depending on your location, you may need to register with a kayaking association. For example, you must register with the British Canoeing association to participate in water-sport instructor training in the UK.
Conclusion
There are multiple types of kayaking opportunities for those who want a paid position in kayaking. If you have the motivation and skills for kayaking, consider using one of the above methods to find your perfect kayaking job.
FAQs
What Qualifications Do I Need to Teach Kayaking?
First aid qualifications are necessary for all kayaking instructors, regardless of your location. Other qualifications depend on the company that employs you and the requirements of any kayaking association in your city. Additional qualifications for kayaking instructors involve water safety and rescue training.
What Does a Kayak Instructor Do?
Kayaking instructors are responsible for teaching people how to kayak safely with the correct procedures. They cover all of the safety aspects of kayaking and the skills you need to kayak, such as navigation, recovering from capsizing, performing basic strokes, etc.
What Does Kayaking Training for Instructors Involve?
Becoming a kayaking instructor involves rescue operations, equipment maintenance, water safety training, etc. Other training includes honing crowd communication skills and learning route layouts.