Westcoast Adventure College

OCEAN RIVER SPORTS AND ADVENTURE

General Manager, Lee Phillips

“Cedric Torres has been a great addition to our team. He has a really wonderful way of connecting with people. A tour with Cedric is based on true passion for providing a high quality experience for his clients.

“My best guides leave their egos at home. They come with open minds, ready to learn with calm confidence. They have something to share through life experience or research and can tell stories about the landscape. The best guides are authentic and are good with people. Guides that can read the crowd, pay attention to their clients and adjust the trip accordingly always have better trips.”

CEDRIC TORRES

2019 Graduate

“There have been a lot of lessons I have used from the program. Probably the most valuable was our training with group management. At the time, I didn’t expect or think that it was so important but I quickly realized that it was absolutely critical to being a guide.

“Also, building a solid foundation with weather systems, tides and currents has given me the confidence and skill to plan my tours and manage my group in the field.

“A really enjoyable part of the program was meeting and learning with my peers. I had a great cohort that I was proud to be part of.”

MORESBY EXPLORERS

“A good guide can handle the technical aspects of the job but a great guide has the soft skills to connect with people and communicate how incredible this part of the world truly is”.

In her first season after graduating at WAC, Chelsea St. Louis joined the Moresby Explorer team.

“Chelsea had a good level of professionalism and understood customer service and risk management. She is a huge asset and an exceptional addition to the team.”

CHELSEA ST LOUIS

WAC Graduate

“What I love about my job is seeing people’s perspective change and be influenced by their time on the water and on the land. The wildlife is unreal and the landscape is awe inspiring. You are literally in the middle of nowhere. You have to be able to be prepared to handle many different types of situations from sudden inclement weather changes, equipment malfunctions to sea sick guests. From witnessing a baby orca learn how to spy hop to navigating 16’ standing waves to transport gear, any time I got into a situation I thought, I can handle this.”

FAREWELL HARBOUR

Tim McGrady, Managing Partner of Farewell Harbour Lodge

“We love hiring Westcoast Adventure College (WAC) graduates because they are well rounded with a great skills set. They are also just generally good humans. Students come with a high level of first aid training and a strong passion for sharing knowledge about the natural world.”

“The marine focus of the program is a huge benefit. Having the interface between marine and terrestrial is critical for our guides. WAC students are more in touch with the tides and currents and have a great passion for the marine environment. It’s obviously a program that motivates and excites them. That energy is channelled directly to their performance in the field.”

MARLIE TEMPLE

2019 Graduate

After graduating from WAC in 2019, Marlie started her first guiding season at Farewell Harbour Lodge as a skipper and bear guide. Her days were spent wading through estuaries in search of grizzly bears or looking for whales around the Broughton Archipelago. She spent her evenings giving ecology lectures to the guests to deepen their understanding of the natural world they are visiting.

“Everyday I am in awe by something stunning that happens out there. One of the best parts of my job is getting to share that experience with our guests. I see them realize how special and interconnected our planet truly is. It is incredibly rewarding to see people leave with a greater sense of awareness of themselves and the part they play within the environment.”

ADRENA LINE ZIPLINE ADVENTURE TOURS

“One of our most memorable [WAC graduates], who started from the beginning, was Allison Lang. She worked up to operations manager and was one heck of an employee and an excellent guide.  Avelynn Anderson was an excellent employee and team player. Codey Cudworth and Ryan Miller were also great guides.

“Guides are ultimately 4 things: educators, entertainers, coaches and leaders. Great guides are knowledgeable, professional and have a high regard for safety.

“The goal is to have a fun time while creating a meaningful memory. Our guides are also coaches and can lead people through an experience that helps them step out of their comfort zone, build self- confidence and overcome challenges. It is ultimately a craft and a lifestyle.”

AVELYNN ANDERSON

2013 Graduate

“I’ve just started working for Community Living Victoria and Teen Community Connections. This position in relation to the studies I took with WAC were essential in me getting this job.  I will be working with teens with developmental disabilities and going out in the community doing various activities (Swimming, Summer Camps, Bowling etc.).

“I also worked at Adrenaline Zipline Adventure Tours and it was amazing!  It’s the best job I’ve had and couldn’t have gotten it with out my experience from WAC.  I will hopefully be returning this upcoming season, and look forward to another great summer.

“I’m beyond grateful for the knowledge I possess now due to Scot, Phil and Bryan. With my first aid and risk management skills I gained from WAC it gave me the extra edge in getting this position.”