Waimakariri Gorge: Day Trip
Suitable for experienced kayakers who have paddled the Waimakariri Gorge within the last 5 years, this single-day trip will provide you with the logistics, safety support, and expert guidance you need to gain more experience on the river in preparation for the Coast to Coast.
- Stay safe while you train
- Discover the best lines
- Feel ready to race
If you have not paddled the Waimakariri Gorge within the last 5 years, please book our 3-day First Timer's Course or Skills Course instead (both of which include a Gorge trip on the final day).
- Only 2 left available!
Doing Coast to Coast, but haven’t spent much time on the river?
- Need more practice on the race route?
- Don't feel safe kayaking the Gorge with strangers or (worse) by yourself?
- Does paddling Waimakariri Gorge still make you nervous?
On Canterbury Kayaking's single-day Waimakariri Gorge: Guided Trip, you’ll gain the river-time you need in a safe and controlled manner with the support of a professional guide. Once you've gained more experience with the river, you'll feel completely relaxed going into the kayak stage of the Coast to Coast race.
You’ve trained too hard to roll the dice on the river.
Many athletes struggle to get enough time on the river before the Coast to Coast. Kayaking can be a logistical nightmare and paddling solo or with random people can be dangerous. But if you don’t get the river-time you need, you’ll be taking a big gamble during your race.
On this trip, you’ll be guided through the Waimakariri Gorge in a small group, led by a qualified and experienced guide. All the logistics and safety precautions will be taken care of, so you can relax and focus on your paddling.
Once you've gained the experience you need with the Coast to Coast kayak route, you’ll know all the best lines and you’ll feel fully prepared to hit the river on race day.
How It Works
- Book your date(s) at the top of this page
- Enjoy paddling the Waimakariri Gorge
- Kayak in the Coast to Coast with complete confidence
Meet Your Guide
Sam Milne is the most experienced kayak guide on the Waimakariri River and the founder of Canterbury Kayaking. Through helping over 1,000 athletes prepare for the Coast to Coast, Sam has learned there is no subtitute for getting time on the race course.
Throughout his career, Sam has noticed that paddlers who invest time on the river do significantly better in the kayak stage of the race than those who try to wing it. No matter how good your skills are, knowing the river well offers a distinct advantage.
That’s why Sam has created these single-day trips for kayakers training for the Coast to Coast. During this trip, you’ll be shown the best lines down the river, kept safe, and will have the opportunity to refine your kayaking skills.
After you attend Canterbury Kayaking’s Waimakariri Gorge: Guided Trips, you’ll feel totally prepared for the river and will be able to enjoy the race-result you deserve.
What do I get with the trip?
- Full-day kayaking on the Waimakariri River from Mt White to Woodstock.
- Expert guidance from a fully qualified and experienced guide.
- Option to renew your grade 2 kayak certificate.
- Transport and shuttle for the day.
- A comprehensive safety system ensuring you make it home safely.
- Option to hire a boat, paddle, spray skirt, PFD and helmet.
Ideally, you will bring your own stable multisport kayak or lightweight sea kayak to this trip. However, we do have lightweight sea kayaks available for hire and multisport kayaks can be hired through River Ninja Rentals if arranged in advance.
You will need to have ALL of the following items (* = hire available):
- Stable multisport kayak or lightweight sea kayak*
- Wing paddle*
- Spray skirt*
- PFD (lifejacket)*
- Helmet*
- Long-sleeved paddle jacket*
- Booties
- Neoprene shorts
- Thermal tops and bottoms
- Thermal hat, gloves, and socks
- 20L dry bag
- Waterproof pants
- First aid kit
- Duct tape
- Survival bag
All required gear is availble to purchase through us and can be collected at the trip.
This trip runs over a single day.
Pick-ups: We offer two pick-up location options for you and your kayak:
- Yaldhurst @ 7:15 a.m.
- Sheffield @ 7:45 a.m.
We will check your compulsory gear and provide a safety briefing at Mt White. You will be on the river for 5–6 hours and we will stop 2–3 times during the trip for rest/food/etc.
Drop-offs: We will get off the river at Woodstock (55 kilometre point) get changed, then drop you back at the same location:
- Sheffield @ 4:15 p.m.
- Yaldhurst @ 5:00 p.m.
Waimakariri Gorge Guided Trips are weather and flow dependant. If the weather and/or river flows prevent your trip from going ahead, you will have the following options:
- Receive a full credit for the total amount paid. This credit can used to book another trip free of charge, applied to another course booking, or used to purchase products from our store.
- Receive a full refund excluding your initial 25% deposit.