EMPLOYMENT
Whitecap Kayak is seeking summer guides who are excited to grow as leaders, work outdoors, and serve others through guided kayak experiences on Lake Superior. Each summer we train and employ adults who want meaningful work that combines outdoor skills, teamwork, and intentional personal development.
Whitecap Kayak began as a business and ministry rooted in the vision of church youth group leaders who wanted to provide teenagers with meaningful summer employment while developing strong leadership and communication skills. From the beginning, guide training has been used as a framework to support discipleship and character development.
The process to become a kayak guide looks like this:
The season and training begins in late May and sets the foundation for the entire summer. New guides start with a Wilderness First Responder course followed by kayak guide training through an Instructor Development Workshop for coastal kayaking. These courses are provided at no cost to guides.
Both the Wilderness First Responder certification and an ACA Instructor certification are nationally recognized credentials that you can carry with you beyond your time at Whitecap Kayak. Throughout the summer, guides continue developing paddling, teaching, leadership, and risk management skills while working trips and gaining real world experience on Lake Superior and in the Apostle Islands.
In early June, the guide team comes together for a multi day camping trip that bridges training into the full guiding season. This experience allows guides to apply skills in a real trip setting while learning trip flow, equipment systems, and safety procedures. As customer trips begin, guides transition from assisting to leading trips, preparing them for full time guiding responsibilities throughout the rest of the summer.
Our Location
Whitecap Kayak Learning Center
Whitecap Kayak Learning Center
31375 Wannebo Road
Washburn, WI 54891
2026 Instructional Courses Registration
ACA L3 Instructor Certification Courses
Various venues including an inland lake, as well as sites on Lake Superior will be used. Meals & camping on the Whitecap Kayak campus are included with registration.
May 25th - May 27th, 2026 IDW or ICE
$350 per person
Fall 2026 Dates TBD
$350 per person
UPDATE: L3 & L4 - for Instructiors and Instructor Trainers
Fall 2026
Join us for a weekend dedicated to mutual enrichment, sharing, and professional growth among instructors and instructor trainers.
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Starts Friday at noon and ends Saturday night
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Free camping and meals provided
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Optional group paddle in the Apostle Islands on Sunday
$250 per person
Rough Water Weekend
Fall 2026
Join us for a weekend dedicated to mutual enrichment, sharing, and professional growth among instructors and instructor trainers.
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Starts Friday morning and ends Monday
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Free camping and meals provided
Various venues including an inland lake, as well as sites on Lake Superior will be used. Meals & camping on the Whitecap Kayak campus are included with registration.