Waimakariri Skills Course with Sam Manson

Coast to Coast preparation doesn't get any better than this. Experience three days on the Waimakariri River honing your river skills with the master Sam Manson. If you are looking to take your paddling to the next level then this course is for you.

Please download the information pack PDF for on what this course entails. Please read everything in there before booking.

Who should do this Three-day course?

- Any multisport paddlers looking to improve their river skills on the Waimakariri Gorge. Note - You must have already completed a Grade II Certificate Course with Topsport or another provider.

Download all the information about this course in the link below:

Click to download: Information Pack The Topsport Difference

- This program has been expertly designed by Coast to Coast Longest Day & Classic River Race winner Sam Manson. Sam has designed this course to ensure maximum learning opportunities throughout, allowing his paddlers to make significant improvements. Sam is also an NZOIA Kayak 1 & Multisport qualified Instructor.
- Weather permitted this course covers the full Coast to Coast 70km river section split into multiple days. Day Two sees us travel up into the Gorge with Alpine Jet so we can make the most of our time with Sam and improving skills.
- This course is focused on ensuring your personal Coast to Coast success and improving your kayaking skills for race day.

You can complete this course in your own multisport kayak or hire one of ours.

Course Information

This 3-day skills course is all about improving your skills and gaining confidence in the Waimakariri Gorge following on from your Grade II Certificate Course. You can expect to make huge improvements in your understanding of river kayaking throughout these three days. This includes paddling bluffs, braid reading, rapid set up and reading, river dynamics and all important race lines!

The structure of this course is like no other. This is the ultimate Coast to Coast skills course, we think it is the most valuable course Topsport offers. Our vast experience teaching paddlers on the river combined with our incredible knowledge and success at the Coast to Coast allows us to offer you 3 days on the river like no other.

By the end of this course you can expect to have a passion for kayaking you never knew you had!

We will cover the following skills throughout the program:

- Boat & Paddle setup
- Gear & Equipment
- Braid reading skills
- Rapid set up and paddling
- Bluff paddling - including running bluffs and cutting them
- Understanding key features in the Gorge
- Race Lines Kayak Hire

If you are travelling from out of town yes you can hire a multisport kayak from us.

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.