Norwegian Sea Kayak Guide & Instructor Association - Est. 2001 

It was during the fall of 2001 at Klokkergården on Rødøy (Red Island) that a few of  Norway’s most experienced sea kayak guides gathered for a series of meetings to discuss the lack of an educational and certifying system for sea kayak guides in Norway. These meetings brought forth with clarity the lack of educational and certifying body for sea kayak guides in Norway as well as the immediate need for the establishment of such a body ; out of these meeting on Rødøy emerged Norway’s Sea Kayak Guide and Instructor Association. NHKGIF was founded and incorporated later in November of 2001.  

Norwegian Sea Kayak Guide and Instructor Association (NHKGIF) has been continually developing during the past ten years keeping pace with the ever growing popularity of sea kayaking and especially commercial sea kayaking trips as well as the increasing demands
placed on professional sea kayak guides.

In 2010 a NHKGIF guides certification has become the certification with the highest and toughest standards for sea kayak guides. To become a NHKGIF certified guide requires a serious investment of training, course work, and a long guide apprenticeship but without these strict guidelines very few guides would voluntarily put themselves through adequate and tough enough guide training. 

In the years to come NHKGIF will be working closely with the UISKG to establish an international standard for certifying sea kayak guides. This is one of our most important tasks becauseall those who paddle with a guide will notice the immense difference from our highly qualified NHKGIF guides to thoes who have little to no qualifications.