Grade II Express
This course is for those smart enough to know a couple of days on the river with our team will do wonders. Grade II Certified or not this is a great choice!
Topsport Kayaking's Certificate Course is approved and recommended by the Kathmandu Coast to Coast and run on the Waimakariri River.
Please download the information pack PDF for on what this course entails. Please read everything in there before booking.
Who should do this 2-day course?
- Any multisport paddlers looking to improve their river skills
- Those who want to be assessed for a Grade II Certificate who have a sound kayaking background
- Those looking to refresh their skills and be reassessed for their Grade II Certificate
If you are hoping to get a Grade II sign off, please think carefully before booking. If you are very new to kayaking, you must do the full 4-day course.
Download all the information you need to know below:
Click to download: Information Pack The Topsport Difference
- Weather permitted this course covers the full Coast to Coast 70km river section split into multiple days
- Complete the course in your own multisport kayak or hire one of ours if you are travelling
- Our team are unrivalled when it comes to Coast to Coast experience, instructing, racing and success!
- NZOIA qualified and experienced instructors Course Details
This 2-day Course has got everything you want and nothing you don’t. These 2 days are ideally suited to two types of paddlers, those looking to refresh their skills and regain their Grade II Certificate or those few paddlers who have a sound kayaking background with good paddling skills and just want to get straight into the fun stuff on the river. The first session of this course is a moving water session at the Gorge Bridge on the Waimakariri so it is a must that anyone wanting to get on the Waimakariri Express has previous paddling experience and confident in their multisport boat.
- Boat & Paddle setup
- Edging
- Ferry Glides
- Rapid and Bluff Running
- Picking Braids
- Identifying River Features and Hazards
- Swimming Skills
- Self Rescues & Throw-bagging
Kayak Hire
After booking your course, if you need to hire a multisport boat please book below - We can provide other gear too
to hire a kayak for your course. Travelling Athlete Info
If you are travelling from outside of Christchurch to spend some time with us on the river or over the mountain here is some information to help plan you trip.
Download the info here. Requirements
These requirements are in place for your safety and to ensure we can fit you in one of our boats (if required)
- You must be able to swim
- Be training most days and have a good base fitness
- Weigh less than 110kg
- Be shorter than 6'4.
Please to discuss options if you don’t the fit these requirements.