Guides & Instructors

Who are our Guides & Instructors

With 15 years experience with guiding and instruction we have developed an in-depth understanding of what makes an outstanding guide or who will provide first class instruction. Our guides & instructors are passionate about their active outdoor lifestyle and do what they do as a vocation as much as a profession. Not only must they be an expert in their discipline with excellent local knowledge, but they must also relate and communicate well with people. So long as spoken English is good, nationality is not important to us so you'll find an international mix. That said where suitably qualified & experienced local guides are available we will use them as they can bring an added insight and fuller experience to your holiday.

Guides

Our guides are chosen not only for their technical ability but also for their guiding style, personality and sense of humour. As our holidays are often in remote wilderness destinations they need to be resourceful problem solvers with a commitment to safety and providing a quality holiday experience. They are also there to cope with incidents in the unlikely event that any arise. Guides cannot remove all danger from an activity but through their depth of knowledge and ongoing training they can identify and contain normal risks, freeing you to savour the full experience.

We do not expect guests to blindly follow guides. Your guide will help you indentify potential hazards, assess them and minimise the risks yourself. Guides are not there to provide instruction though they will provide friendly advise if they feel they can help.

On our escorted holidays Guides travel with the main group from the UK, on other holidays your guide(s) will join you locally, Self-guided holidays, as the name suggests, do not include the services of our guides but our local representatives are on hand if required.

Instructors

All our Learn to... & skill development courses are lead by fully qualified professional Instructors. Your instructor will ensure that day by day you get the most from your course as well as being responsible for student safety. They will also be able to advise on further skill development that you are likely to enjoy and find beneficial once your training with them is complete.

Our Workshops are lead by experts with a specialist knowledge in their particular field. They give presentations and provide coaching to help develop your personnel skills. Normally they will be a professional Instructor or Guide.

NB: we assign Guides & Instructors to particular holidays well in advance but for all sorts of reasons we have to reserve the right to make changes if necessary.

Working for H2O