December 17-20 Conditions: If you are taking this date option for grade 2 certification for the Coast to Coast 2021 event, we'll require that you also attend our Coast to Coast Skills Course Jan 21-24, (or two Waimakariri Gorge Trips of your choice). This is so that you'll have enough river expereince by February even when starting this late in the year, and have an opportunity for reassessment should you not pass your certificate on Dec 20th.
Get your grade 2 kayak certificate for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.
| Length: | 4 days. |
| Equipment: | Kayaks & equipment provided. |
| Location: | Christchurch & North Canterbury. |
| Experience level: | No experience required. You must be able to swim. |
| Requirements: | Good health & fitness, 16 - 65 yrs, 50 - 110 kg. |
Even if you're a complete beginner, our Grade 2 Kayak Course will help you gain the river skills you need, plus assessment. We'll provide you with a kayak and equipment to use, and teach you to paddle over four consecutive days.
The only grade 2 provider in New Zealand that will teach you to roll.
If you fall over on race-day and cannot roll up, it can cost an extra 15-20 minutes for every time you bail out. Even though rolling is not required to gain your certificate, we'll teach you anyway, because we believe it's important. We're the only G2 certificate provider that we know of to include rolling as a focus.
Guaranteed to run, regardless of weather or flows.
Having your course or assessment delayed due to bad weather can really mess with your overall training plan. If we happen to see a bad forecast for your course, we'll simply move to our alternative location of Murchison. As a result, we are the only provider in NZ who can guarantee your course will go ahead, regardless of weather.
Learn more, from the highest qualified multisport instructors in New Zealand.
Canterbury Kayaking is run by professional kayak coach Sam Milne, and his small team of instructors. Sam is currently New Zealand’s highest qualified multisport instructor coaching full-time. Sam has logged well over 100 guided paddles down the Coast to Coast route and was featured in the recently published book The Longest Day. All our instructors have NZOIA awards, plus degrees in outdoor education.
Feel solid on the river, with follow-up course & trip options.
Once your course is complete, we won't leave you hanging. We'll provide you with personalised advice, including the best multisport boat choice for you. If you'd like to do more with us, you are invited to book our second stage course, where you can paddle your own boat down the Waimakariri River. We also have plenty of other training opportunities like Rolling Sessions, and Guided Gorge Trips. Take advantage of expert skills coaching all the way through to race day if you choose.
View Information Pack | Read Cancellation Policy
| Day 1 | Pool Session, Introduction to Equipment, Two Flat Water Skills Sessions. |
| Day 2 | Rolling Session, Moving Water Session, River Safety & Rescue, Dinner out with the Crew. |
| Day 3 | Theory Lesson, Full Day River Paddling, Advice on Multisport Equipment, Dinner out with the Crew. |
| Day 4 | Theory Lesson, River Paddling, Grade 2 Assessment, Personalised Advice. |
Recommended and endorsed, by Kathmandu Coast to Coast.
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Over the past eight years, Canterbury Kayaking has helped over 600 people achieve certification for the Coast to Coast. Some of our clients have even gone on to win the event, such as two-time Longest Day champion, Jess Simson. Canterbury Kayaking is now officially recognised by the Coast to Coast as a "preferred provider". |
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Develop skills faster, from well trained teachers.
| Our priority is to get you as good as possible, in the shortest possible time. So we employ coaches with degree level educational training. This means our instructors are not just good paddlers, we're really good teachers, too. We make learning complex skills easier to understand. |
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Gain more knowledge, from NZOIA qualified instructors.
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If you have a question about paddling, we have the answer. Our collective technical knowledge is well developed, and has been verified by the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association. Our team has awards in both whitewater and multisport instruction, so you can trust we know what we're on about. |
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Learn in a safe environment, with Adventure Mark certification.
| Feeling safe is absolutely crucial, and is our highest priority. Our safety system has been externally audited by Adventure Mark, and we are fully registered with WorkSafe as an adventure operator (as required by law). You can rest assured you're in good hands when paddling with us. |
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What our clients say...
Scott Cochrane (Christchurch), 22 Apr 2018.An extremely professional course. The coaches skill level and understanding was outstanding.
Ian Stewart (Queensland, Australia), 19 Feb 2018.The best outdoor skills course I have participated in.
