How do I train seasonal guides before handing over my paddle rental business?

Guides carry your reputation, so begin with what good looks like. Write the standards for greeting customers, fitting gear, giving the safety briefing, managing groups and handling weather or an emergency. Keep it short enough that people read it. Add local knowledge, such as hazards, favourite routes and places to avoid at certain times.

Then train by doing. Run a pre-season day on the water, where guides practise the briefing, rescues and group management with you watching. Pair newer guides with experienced ones. Ask your guides for feedback, since they often know what is not working. Keep notes of who has which skills and certifications, and who might lead a team.

Finally, plan for the handover. Introduce the new owner during training, not afterwards, so guides see continuity. Ask returning guides whether they would be willing to come back, and tell the buyer honestly about who may not. A written record and a trained core of guides are what a buyer can rely on next season. Ask each guide to run a short mock briefing for the buyer, which shows both how well they know the material and how they handle customers.

Key takeaways

• Write short standards for dock, water, briefing and emergencies, with local hazards included.
• Train through practice on the water, pairing new guides with experienced ones.
• Introduce the new owner during training and keep a record of who is likely to return.