EXPEDITION GUIDE ACADEMY
Comprehensive Guide Course
A 6 1/2-day intensive course aimed at those looking to gain the foundation skills and knowledge for guiding aboard expedition cruise vessels. The Comprehensive Guide Course will lay the foundation for you to enter the industry as a safe, professional and confident guide.
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Participants will gain a greater understanding of safe operating procedures and practices involved in working as an expedition guide. The aim of this course is to provide a solid foundation of knowledge and the skills needed to operate safely on and off expedition ships. It is also a course, where you will experince personal development during the time you spend with us and your fellow students.
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This course might not be for you if you prefer dry feet, short days and fancy hotels!
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We offer this course in both Denmark and New Zealand.
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Course Content:
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Living and Working on Ships
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Field Navigation
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Field Communication
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Working with Small Boast/Zodiacs
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Driving Small Boats/Zodiacs
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Group Dynamics
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Online pre-course component
Location: Denmark & New Zealand
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Approximately 60 hours of contact time during the course + 10 hours of self-directed learning pre-course
Language: English Proficient
Age: 18+
Previous experience: None required
Who is the course for?:
Seasoned guides already working on ships who would like to train and potentially prepare for PTGA assessments and those new to the industry.
The course is designed for anyone looking to become more skilled, safe and confident in expedition guiding.
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Minimum: 4 participants
Maximum: 6 participants
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Price: USD $3399
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Course Outline
Living and working on ships
Theoretical segment based on the online material as well as knowledge of the "soft skills" involved in expedition guiding. Learn about the specifics of living and working aboard an expedition cruise ship. Throughout the course, we'll cover life on board as an expedition staff member, staffing structures, roles onboard, professionalism, terminology and strategies for excelling in a ship-based workplace.
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Field Navigation
During the course, we'll focus on using handheld GPS units for field-based activities specific to expedition operations and professional best practices.
Field Communication
Participants can expect to use handheld VHF radios while driving zodiacs and operating in the field. We'll practice becoming proficient with the use of handheld VHF units in the field.
Working with Small Boats/ Zodiacs
Part of being an effective and efficient team member is working as shore staff for zodiac operations. The aim of this element is to learn about zodiac operations from a landing party perspective. Safely catching zodiacs, loading and unloading guests and uses of shore-stranding equipment are all elements that make up this part of the course.
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Driving Small Boats/ Zodiacs
Knowing how to safely drive zodiacs is a must-have skill for any expedition professional. Becoming familiar and proficient with zodiacs takes time and practice. With this course, you'll spend your time hands-on in the zodiac as you learn the techniques and strategies required for becoming a safe and professional small boat driver.
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Segment content:
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Learn the boat/gear
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Troubleshooting
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Driving techniques & guest management
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Safe driving stances & management of self
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High-speed manoeuvring
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Low-speed manoeuvring
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Embark/ disembark guests
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Man overboard (MOB)
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Passenger & self-rescue strategies
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Anchoring techniques
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Towing and being towed
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Gangway operations
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Beach approaches & departures
Group Dynamics
An important part of working on expedition vessels is to work well within teams. You will get the taste of this during the course, simply because you (might) live together at the venue for over a week, you learn together, you fail together, you struggle together and you share joyful moments. Groups are very different, depending on who is part of them. But most often, it's some of the same dynamics that take place within a group. We believe that an important step in being aware and conscious of group dynamics, within your team, is to understand what you bring to the group yourself. This will help you understand your reaction in situations and to be a more empathic and self-aware team member.
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During the course, we will facilitate an approximate 4-hour session on this with our Organisational Consultant in organisational psychology.
*Please note that this session will be different on the Comprehensive Guide Course in New Zealand.
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Pre-course Learning
We realise that participants will have a range of experience levels and come from different backgrounds. To ensure we maximise our learning during the actual course, there will be an online learning component to be completed before attending the course. We find it important to have all participants on the same page regarding terminology and basic concepts around the course segments to maximize our time focusing on practical training and theory, best done when together. Expect to receive this material a month out from the course start. Please note that this is a mandatory component that must be completed before the course starts. The EGA can not issue your training certificate without completion.
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Practical Course Information
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When you have booked
Once you have booked a spot on the Comprehensive Guide Course you will receive a welcome letter with specific pre-course information. This will include the exact meeting times, location details and how to get there, what to bring (gear list) and what to expect. Please note that this information is provided after booking.
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Arrival and Departure
The course itself is 6 1/2 days of training, however, in the interests of maximising course delivery and instructor contact time, participants will need to arrive the afternoon/early evening the day before the course start date, where they will be welcomed and met by our instructors. Participants will depart in the afternoon on the final day of the course (unless staying for the assessments). The EGA will inform you the exact time you need to arrive and depart, which will be the same time for all participants. This information is provided after booking.
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Fertilities
The training takes place both outside and indoor. We will spend a lot of time on the water, on the beach, in green areas and also indoor at the EGA Venue. At the venue, students will have coffee and tea available including cow and oat milk.
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Accommodation
We offer accommodation on-site, at our training facility, referred to as the EGA venue. You're more than welcome to organise your own accommodation and stay off-site but we do encourage participants to stay on-site and engage in the full immersive learning experience, living with and getting to know your fellow students.
If you wish to book our accommodation, please choose the 10-night option if you are doing both the Comprehensive Guide Course and the Comprehensive PTGA Assessment and the 7-night option if you aren't doing the assessments. Please note that you would leave in the late afternoon/evening of the last day of the course if you don't stay for the assessments.
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Certificate of Training
On completion of the Comprehensive Guide Course, you'll receive a 'Certificate of Training' from the Expedition Guide Academy outlining the course content covered. This is not only useful to you in your personal training development, but it is also useful to companies - potential employers. Since the EGA is an accredited training provider, his certificate is approved by the PTGA.
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Qualification and assessment
Head over to our Certification with the EGA page for more details on this.
