WHO: Shane with Cape Fear Adventure Company
WHAT: Touring the Intracoastal Waterway
WHERE: Cape Fear – Wilmington, North Carolina
Since the founding of the United States, the famous Intracoastal Waterway has been an important economic and natural resource along the east coast. There are many different ways to explore it, but I had the unique privilege of chatting with Shane, a full time paramedic who started guiding over 3 years ago for fun. Originally from Georgia, Shane settled in the Cape Fear region after being stationed here with the Marine Corps. Whether you find him on the water or out on a trail, Shane knows how to show you the best Intracoastal Waterway experiences.
(Want to know more about the Intracoastal Waterway? Cape Fear Adventure Company knows how to help.)
How did you get into guide work?
Funny enough I just happened to be scrolling through Facebook one day and saw a job posting. I figured “hey, I’m normally out on the water in a kayak in my free time anyways, lets give this a try” so I sent in my resume and that was 3 seasons ago.
Run me through a typical day. What can your guests expect?
A typical day starts with showing up at the “office” just like anyone else. After that, I start by reviewing any of the tours we have scheduled for that day and loading up all of the gear we may need (water, nets, life vests, paddles), followed by the most fun part: loading up the kayaks onto the trailer.
Finally, before setting out to meet up with our lucky guests for the day, I double check the weather and tide times to make sure nothing has changed. Once I get to the launch site, I’ll unload the kayaks and start setting up/ stowing any gear I may have. After our guests arrive we normally spend the first 10-15 minutes getting life vests and kayaks fitted, followed by a safety brief and, if needed, a small period of instruction on the basics of kayaking. Once we set out, we stop briefly to make sure everyone is comfy and set up for success. Then it’s on to the best part, the TOUR!
Our guests can expect to have a very easy paddle through rivers, the Atlantic Intracoastal waterway, as well as the tidal marshes of the Cape Fear Region, and of course seeing all the animals that this ecosystem has to offer.
(Kayak guiding is a way of life. Trust me.)
Why should I take a trip with you on the Intracoastal Waterway?
I would say that the thing that sets us apart from all the other tour opportunities on the Intracoastal Waterway in the area is that we strive to make each trip personalized for every guest. We start out each tour by asking what each guest wishes to accomplish, as well as seeing what their skill level is. If all you want to do is b-line it to the beach and enjoy the sun/waves or you want to do nothing but explore the tidal ponds and marshes for all the critters, we try to make it happen.
What is the best part about working on the Intracoastal Waterway? The part that keeps you coming back?
The best part of guiding on the Intracoastal Waterway is seeing people’s faces light up when we get out and they start to enjoy the beauty of nature and all the animals that make it up in real life, not through a TV/phone screen.
What is the worst part? The part that feels like work?
Loading up all the gear at the end of a tour. It’s the only part that feels like actual work.
(Want more kayaking? Kayak the US Virgin Islands with Cory)
What advice would you give somebody wanting to get into guide work?
Make sure you start touring in an area/field that you already love. Your guests pick up on the energy you give off and if you’re miserable walking through the woods when you’d rather be on the water, you’re doing a disservice to your guests.
Find Shane on the water all summer by checking out Cape Fear Adventure Company at the link here.
Follow Shane on Instagram by following this link here.
Know a guide who deserves a story? Whether they raft, dive, hike, bike, boat, float, walk or talk – if they lead guided trips – they deserve to be heard. Send me an email at thelivelost@gmail.com
