Sea Kayak Guide and Naturalist

Trek & Trail is the original sea kayak outfitter in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, operating for over 35 years. By facilitating meaningful outdoor experiences, we connect our staff to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the sport of sea kayaking, and the Bayfield community.

• Our staff undergo a rigorous 2.5 week training program with an emphasis on risk assessment, paddling skills and rescue, as well as interpretive knowledge about the area.
• Our shop and office is located on the edge of Lake Superior in downtown Bayfield. We are based out of a historic barrel factory, or cooperage, that we affectionately call “the coop”

Sea Kayak Guide – Assistant/Lead

This seasonal position is the leader of all guided trips and is responsible for the safety of all customers and individuals on the trip, especially while on the water. Vital qualities for this position include excellent personal skills, organizational skills, and leadership ability.

This position works closely with the general public and the rest of the Trek & Trail staff. Must be a team player and maintain a cooperative and can-do attitude and relationships. Necessary skills also include possessing oral communication experience, problem-solving ability, and historic and geologic knowledge of the area. Kayak Guides are expected to be experienced sea kayakers and understand sea kayak rescue procedures, and be knowledgeable of local weather conditions and hazards. 

We don’t expect you to have all of these skills prior to your arrival, as extensive training is provided to all guides as part of employment.

Our season runs from Memorial Day weekend to the weekend after Labor Day.

The first 3 weeks of the season are incredibly important, as that is when we provide in-house training for guide staff. Training is challenging, but something our staff cite as a highlight of their summer.

Time off is granted with advanced notice, but it is important to recognize that our season is short and we aim to keep you busy during the peak months. We do have days on which weather causes us to shut down, so some days-off come with short notice