Kayaking in the US Virgin Islands with Cory George

WHO: Cory George, Instagram @coryonthemat

WHERE: St. John, US Virgin Islands

WHAT: Kayak and snorkel tours with Arawak Expeditions

Meet Cory, an outdoor guide with an extensive background of work around the world. Cory currently takes guests kayaking on St. John with Arawak Expeditions, stopping at several different locations to snorkel and explore. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like kayaking in the US Virgin Islands, read on to see Cory’s story.

(Don’t have time? Check out this short video of what it’s like kayaking with Virgin Islands Ecotours)

How did you get into guiding?

Cory: I started as a camp counselor in college. I was working at a kids camp and that got me outside more, working with a group of kids all day and I really liked it. I did that for 8 summers. then I started teaching outdoor education in school systems, which is like being a science teacher at summer camp. That led to whitewater rafting because I was looking for a cool summer job. I did that for 8 seasons, 7 in Tennessee and 1 in Colorado. Then, on one of my winter breaks, I came down to the Virgin Islands for the first time.

There was no plan. I distinctly remember starting this and thinking that it’ll just be fun. I always thought something, or someone, more permanent would come along but it never did. So I kept going from job to job where it looked the coolest, the living situation was right, and the money was enough.

(Want to learn more about rafting? Check out raft guiding with Nate)

Run me through a typical day with you kayaking in the US Virgin Islands. What can your guests expect?

We have 3- and 6-hour tours. We go out to Hurricane Hole and we go along the North Shore. We’ll chat and have everything ready for our guests, and they either meet us out there or we pick them up. On our Hurricane Hole trip we’ll head out and stop in a couple places, we have lunch from North Shore Deli with their famous banana bread, and we see some really cool stuff. Like the biggest green sea turtle I’ve ever seen. And on our North Shore trips we stop at Henley Cay, Scott beach, and Honeymoon beach.

(Headed to the Virgin Islands? Check out the Worst Things to Do in the US Virgin Islands)

Why should I take a trip with you?

It’s all about who the trip is with. To be honest, I may not be the ideal guide for everyone. I’m laid back, or, as some might say, aloof. If you’re super type A I may not be the guy for you. But the reason I win people over, eventually they’ll realize that I have cool confidence and I’ve done this a thousand times and I’ve got it all under control. Go with me because you’ll be in really good hands because my number one priority is your safety, the safety of the environment, and having fun. You cant have fun if you’re injured. You’re gunna be safe, you’re gunna have a good time, and you’ll learn some crazy stuff.

What’s the best part about guiding?

Quite simply, the very best thing is being outside all day. I like the interactions with people, but when you just stop and look around and appreciate where you are, I find myself doing that on every trip I’ve ever done. I have thousands of mental snapshots of all the places I’ve been. That’s why I keep finding places to guide at.

What’s the worst part about guiding? What makes it feel like work?

The setup and the breakdown. And every job is different, but you’re carrying these kayaks around, and at the end of the day, you’ve been out in the sun and you’re just broiling. Really that’s the only part that feels like work, moving the boats around and cleaning gear in the sun.

What advice would you give to somebody wanting to get into guiding?

It can really be an all-consuming, alternate life path. I would have never dreamed that I would be where I am now, but I also have zero regrets. If you’re going to do it, just know it really can change your life, but I think it’s for the better. I say go for it.

And give it a real try. It makes me sad, but I’ve seen a lot of individuals take one trip and never come back. But give it an honest try. I promise it’s worth it.

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Do you know a guide that deserves to be interviewed? If they raft, dive, hike, bike, boat, float, walk or talk – if they lead guided tours – they deserve to be seen. Email me at thelivelost@gmail.com or DM me on my Instagram at tourguidetree.