Outdoor Sport and Recreation Guides

(NOC 6532)

in All Sales and Service

Outdoor sport and recreational guides organize and lead trips or expeditions for sports enthusiasts, adventurers, tourists and resort guests. They work for private companies and resorts or may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$12,693

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Outdoor sport and recreational guides organize and lead trips or expeditions for sports enthusiasts, adventurers, tourists and resort guests. They work for private companies and resorts or may be self-employed.

Job duties

Outdoor sports and recreation guides:

  • Plan itinerary for trip or expedition and transport individuals or group to site.
  • Put together and inspect necessary equipment and supplies like camping gear, hot air balloon, rafts, life jackets, fishing tackle and food.
  • Lead individuals or groups and give advice on safety and emergency measures, techniques and the use of equipment.
  • Give training for activities like canoeing, rafting and mountain climbing.
  • Give advice on specific laws and regulations for activities like hunting, fishing and boating.
  • Follow environmental guidelines and prevent violations.
  • Give first aid in emergency situations.
  • May prepare meals for group and set up camp.

Sample job titles

  • balloon pilot
  • canoeing guide
  • dude wrangler
  • fishing guide
  • hiking guide
  • horseback riding guide
  • hunting and fishing guide
  • outdoor guide
  • outfitter
  • rafting guide
  • trapping guide
  • zipline guide

Skills

  • You should be poised, organized, tactful, and patient. Interpersonal skills and the ability to deal comfortably with strangers are important. You should be resourceful and able to handle the unexpected. Knowledge of the travel business or the specific areas of tourism in which you work will be required. Good communication skills are also necessary. Knowledge of both official languages and/or an additional language is an asset and may be required. Guides should also have an understanding of safety requirements, environmental guidelines, and provincial regulations for hunting, fishing, and boating. Physical fitness and stamina are required for many outdoor sport and recreational activities.

Job requirements

  • Knowledge of a specific land or body of water, proven ability in the guided activity, and relevant licences and certifications are needed for employment in this group.
  • Hot air balloon pilots need 10 hours of ground school, 16 hours of pilot-in-command experience and a Balloon Pilot Licence issued by Transport Canada. Additional hours of pilot-in-command experience may be required by some employers.
  • Certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be required.

Other considerations

  • Outdoor sport and recreational guides usually work on a seasonal basis. Most people in this group are either self-employed or work for a small to medium-sized business.

By the numbers

Quick look

75

employed in 2016

100.0%

employed full-time

35.7%

self employed

35.7%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
64.3%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

30.8%

Halifax

N/A
30.8%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
23.1%

North Shore

N/A
15.4%

Southern

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

20.0%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

20.0%

Accommodation and food services

20.0%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

20.0%

Construction

20.0%

Transportation and warehousing

What is the age of Employment?

24.0%

25-34

18.0%

35-44

18.0%

45-54

18.0%

15-24

12.0%

65+

12.0%

55-64

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

35.7%

Bachelor

N/A
35.7%

High school

N/A
21.4%

Trade Certification

N/A
14.3%

College Diploma

N/A
14.3%

Less than high school

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Fishing & Hunting Guide

Right to Practice: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Nova Scotia Tourism Talent
Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Sector Council
Halifax, NS
Canadian Balloon Association
Condor, AB

Additional resources