The psychological experience of river guiding: exploring the protective frame and implications for guide well-being

Abstract

Adventure tours are a fast-growing segment of the tourism market and guide behaviour has been identified as a critical factor in tourist satisfaction. However, little research has investigated guides’ emotional and motivational experiences and implications for psychological well-being. This study analyses critical incidents from autoethnographical data captured during a 10-year span of white-water river guiding in the northern and southern hemispheres. Reversal theory constructs inform analysis of psychological states and emotions experienced throughout guide training, development, and river trip interactions. Factors that may influence guides’ 'protective frames’, emotions, and motivational states are discussed, along with implications for guide and client well-being.

Keywords:

• adventure experience
• autoethnography
• guide well-being
• guide emotions
• reversal theory

Notes

1. A hole (also known as a hydraulic) is a white-water river feature that forms as the river flows over an obstruction that is near or above the surface of the water. As the water flows over the obstruction, it creates aerated water that flows back upstream and recirculates river crafts or people in a motion similar to a washing machine. Depending on the strength of the hole, river crafts or people may be unable to escape this recirculating water.

2. All names are pseudonyms.

3. ‘Reading and running’ refers to the practice of deciding on the best route down a river while travelling downstream, without getting out of the river and ‘scouting’ or assessing the best line of travel from an elevated viewpoint on the riverbank. Generally, assessing the best line of travel from the riverbank is a safer practice, especially for more challenging rapids.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the California State University Agricultural Research Initiative Seed Grant.