Welcome to our Guide Blog

All of our guides are carefully screened and selected for their skill in the outdoors, proven proficiency in white-water and their outgoing, friendly character. We are passionate about our work and eager to pass on our skills and knowledge of our activity and the area through which we travel. With equal parts naturalist, instructor, and river guide, we are here specifically to ensure you have an exceptional time!  We are pleased that you get to meet our team.

Raft Guide – Chris Burnham
 
Originally from the UK, Chris is at home on rivers worldwide having kayaked and rafted in places like the UK, Italy, Norway, Argentina, USA, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Nepal, India & Zambia.  We caught up with him after a morning rafting on the Horseshoe Canyon on the Bow river, and asked him a couple of questions.

How many years  have you been rafting?   14

How did your career as a raft guide begin?  “I suppose it all started when I was 10 years old.  My local Scout Group had just bought six new kayaks, so I started testing them out on a nearby river. After a year of weekly kayaking lessons my dad bought me my  first kayak, and before I knew it I was becoming hooked.  My desire to combine both my passion for kayaking with my love for travelling eventually led me to train as a Whitewater Raft Guide.”

What’s your favourite river? The Zambezi river, Africa

What you do in the off season?  Ski Instructor at Sunshine Ski Resort

What’s your favourite Ice Cream? Strawberry Cheesecake

Chris is also a rafting examiner for the BC and AB River Outfitters Association, a certified kayaking instructor, and is an emergency medical and advanced wilderness first responder. Chris also has a strong background in rope rescue and has worked for the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association. Chris brings a wealth of experience, skill and charisma to the Chinook Rafting team.