If you've always wanted to be an outdoor guide or instructor, I have some news that you might find interesting. Sharks Lodge, a Portugal-based adventure travel company, is launching a new program that will train students to work in the outdoor and travel industry in a 10-month long course designed to give them all of the skills they need, while sending them off on a global adventure.The new program is scheduled to get underway on March 1, 2018 in Portugal. That course has been specifically built to prepare those who take part both mentally and physically for the challenges they face while working in the outdoor industry. It also has been padded with plenty of time to allow entrants to learn a moderate, but steady, pace while working in a group environment.
Completion of the course will offer official qualifications in a wide variety of areas, including canoe and kayak safety and rescue, mountain training, mountain bike guiding, first aid skills, lifeguard skills, surf instructor, VHF Radio Operator, and much more.
According to an email I received announcing this course, students will work on their skills (See below) for five months, with a break coming in August. At that time, they can choose to take a holiday or do a month-long internship. In September, they'll then work on earning their certifications in preparation for the big adventure to come. From October to December the enrollees will put their new-found skills and knowledge to the test by organizing expeditions and adventure travel itineraries across the globe, with the Shark Lodge staff helping to get them organized and off the ground.
The course will be held in Portugal not only because it is the home of Sharks Lodge, but also because it creates a unique base camp for operations. The cost of living is very affordable, there is plenty of good weather, and there are a number of great options for hiking, surfing, swimming, and climbing within easy striking distance.
The price for the course is set at €14800 ($17,550) per person. That includes all training and assessment fees, insurance while training, accommodations and meals, transportation, equipment, budget for flights and actives, and more.
According to the course overview website, students who enter the program will learn the following skills:
Hard Skills
- Backpacking
- Mountain Biking
- Rock Climbing
- Sea Kayaking
- Canoe and Whitewater kayak
- Rafting
- Surfing
- Kite surfing
- Scuba Diving
- Ski and Snowboard
- Expedition Planning
- Expedition Video and Photography
- Survival Training
- Power boat, VHF
- Beach Lifeguard
- 1st Aid in remote areas
- Cross fit training
- surfboard and kayak building
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Selfconfidence
- Team Building
- Team Work
- Team Management
- Foundations of Adventure Programming
- Practical and Organisational Skills for Outdoor Leaders
- Instruction and Facilitation in Adventure Programming
- Metaskills for Outdoor Leaders
