Low wages, no pension and no real career prospects; does this sound like a job you want? I’m talking about raft guiding. This summer will be the start of my 10th year as a raft guide. Obviously money has not been the motivating factor in my career choice, rivers have. Being a raft guide has given me the opportunity to paddle many great rivers across the world. Not only on weekends or on a week or two holiday but on a daily basis.

This can be the local home run after work or a road trip on your days off. Another advantage is always being able to find willing paddling partners whenever you want to go huck.

The story started when I was 13 and I paddled my first white-water back in Scotland, I was hooked. After graduating from university it seemed a natural step to ditch chemistry become a raft guide.

I had done many paddling trips in Europe and had some friends who worked for Faszinatour in the Tirolean Alps so I headed out to Austria on the start of my big adventure.

The Ötztaler Ache and its tributary the Venter Ache were my playground out there. After two epic and almost disastrous runs of the middle Ötz with Jim Cummings in my first season the section eventually became one of my all time favourites. The upper Ötz when the river is over the rafting cut-off is also worth a mention. The only sections to elude me were the Achstürze and the infamous Kühtrein gorge above Sölden. I knew people who had paddled the Kühtrein gorge but they were not too keen to go back!

I did 2 winters on the White Nile quite a few years ago now then a few in Costa Rica. Coming from Scotland and the glacial rivers of the Alps the warm water of the Nile was a revelation, you could paddle here without layer and layers of thermals.

Costa Rica took things one step further; warm water creeking! I was lucky enough to hook up with Ferdinand Steinvorth who is the most active creeker in the country.

As well as introducing me to classics such as the Rio Patria and Rio Chirripo Atlantico we did the seldom paddled Saripiqui gorge and had a few first descents. Even now Ferdinand is still exploring and has many first descents waiting to be fired up.

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to work in Norway on the Sjoa. Norwegian white-water needs no introduction and the only limit on paddling here is how brave you are.

While here I discovered that winter could be fun too, free-ride skiing can be similar to creeking in some ways. In the spring it is possible to be skiing one day and paddling the next. In fact this country seems suited to all outdoor sports.

So 3 years later I am still here in Norway, working on the river in the summer and now running a dog-sledding company in the winter.

So 3 years later I am still here in Norway, working on the river in the summer and now running a dog-sledding company in the winter with my girlfriend Live. I have a feeling that it will not be too long before I find myself paddling in warm water again.
And years from now I will be able to look back on all the places and adventures life has led me on and I will know how lucky I have been and that it was all worth it.

Text by Greig Mccolm

Pictures by Greig Mccolm and friends of Greig