Grade II Certificate Course
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Grade 2 Certificate Course
Overview
Book now pay later? Use the code TSKBOOKNOW to secure your space with a 30% no-refundable deposit. We will be in touch to organise final payment or payments at a later date.
What's the Topsport difference?
- The only operator in New Zealand to teach a Grade II Course on the Waimakariri River
- Complete three days of your course in a MULTISPORT Kayak
- Our team are unrivalled when it comes to Coast to Coast experience, racing and success
Download everything you need to know here!
Course Details
- All whitewater kayaking equipment is provided for Day One
- No previous whitewater experience required (prior kayaking is highly recommended)
- Experienced and qualified instructors
- Coast to Coast approved Grade II Provider
- Registered and approved Adventure Activity Operator
The aim of this course is to introduce you to multi-sport kayaking on the Waimakariri River in a safe and simple manner. Topsport Kayaking will teach you all the essential river skills you need to compete successfully in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. Our instructors will share their river paddling expertise with you as well as useful tips and skills for racing.
We will cover the following skills throughout the program:
- Boat & Paddle setup
- Gear & Equipment
- Rolling your kayak
- Forward Strokes
- Sweep Strokes
- Edging
- Ferry Glides
- Rapid and Bluff Running
- Picking Braids
- Identifying River Features and Hazards
- Wet-exits
- Swimming Skills
- Self Rescues & Throw-bagging
- Interpreting Weather & River Flow Data
Kayak Hire
Hiring a boat is a great way to try a good multi-sport kayak without the investment just yet.
Click here 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.
Testimonials
Here what our paddlers say....
"I cannot recommend these guys highly enough! Kate was super organised and squeezed me into my Grade Two last thing. Great communication, very prompt and easy to deal with. Guides were a wealth of knowledge and accommodating to all skill levels across in the group. Drivers were laid-back , chatty and obviously into kayaking themselves. Nothing was ever an issues, they even shouted us morning tea! Honestly I cannot fault these guys one bit. The course was so informative, enjoyable and I look forward to more adventures with Topsport! Thank you again." Bree Purdie, March 2021
"Thanks so much for all the support you guys offer – am still so pleased I chose the Topsport crew to help me on this journey!! You guys are legends! Nicolle Rosewarne, September 2020
"Topsport Kayaking was instrumental in all three of my Longest Day victories. Len and Caleb’s help was invaluable and I owe my success on the river to them. I completed my Grade Two course with Topsport and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone getting into the sport. Thanks Topsport!" Emily Miazga, Em's Power Cookie Founder and Coast to Coast Champion
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
- Weigh less than 110kg
- Be shorter than 6'4.
- Reasonable fitness/strength to paddle throughout the course
Please contact us to discuss options if you don’t the fit these requirements.
Topsport Kayaking Cancellation Policy
Terms and Conditions
Topsport Kayaking’s cancellation policy allows clients to reschedule or cancel their booked course or guided trip provided enough notice is given. This policy ensures our small local business can continue to operate if someone cancels their space at short notice.
COVID 19 – Our standard cancelation policy applies.
Cancelling a booking
If for any reason (this includes illness, COVID, travel delays and injuries) you need to cancel your kayak course, gorge trip or mountain run, you will receive a refund minus our cancelation fee. This is provided you contact us at least 21 full days before your booking. We are a very small business and cannot afford to operate our business without the policy. If you cancel outside this period full payment is still required.
We have a lot of cancelations due to sickness and injury. Whilst we are always sorry to hear of an injury or illness, both are a common reality in multisport. Our business is unable to cover the cost of a missed course or trip when an injury or illness has prevented someone from cancelling within our cancelation period. This is a common occurrence for us, therefore full payment is still required. You can transfer your space to another person if you know someone and can organise this.
We deduct an administration fee for any courses or trips that are cancelled.
Our Cancelation fees for courses or trips cancelled 21 days prior to starting are as follows:
- Grade II Certificate Course - $295
- Guided River Trip - $95
- Guided Run Trip - $95
- Guided Run/River Combo - $195
- Waimakariri Skills Course - $295
Cancelling Part of your Grade II Course
If for some reason you are unable to attend a day or days of your kayak course we will try to rebook in with another group, if successful there is an additional cost of $250 per day. There is a no refund for the days missed.
Rescheduling a booking
If you need to reschedule your course or trip, Topsport requires a minimum of 21 FULL DAYS notice. Any booking rescheduled outside this time period will require a new booking and new payment.
All rescheduled trips are subject to an administration fee which is as follows:
- Grade II Certificate Course - $49
- Guided River Trip - $49
- Guided Run Trip - $49
- Refresh with Ryan - $49
- Guided Run/River Combo - $49
- Waimakariri Skills Course -49
- Two Day River Course - -$49
Sometimes Topsport Kayaking postpones your trip
Topsport Kayaking can only operate in favourable conditions. Our trips and courses are 100% weather and river flow dependant. For this reason YOU MUST be flexible with your availability. If you cannot commit to flexibility please do not make a booking with us.
When we have to postpone a trip it is not something we want to do. When a trip is postponed it is for your own personal safety and the safety of our Topsport staff. Your trip may be postponed due to high river levels, high wind or cold alpine conditions.
If we need to postpone your trip we will contact you as soon as possible. This may be in the days leading up to your trip or in the morning of the trip. If this happens you will be provided with a code to rebook your trip on our website at no charge on another date that suits.
Please Note – As we get closer to race day in February the rebooking options may be limited due to the time we have left before the race. If you are unable to make a rescheduled trip a refund will not be given.
When travelling from out of town PLEASE make sure you book flexi flights and accommodation as none of our trips are ever guaranteed to run. We can only operate our trips when weather and river conditions are safe to do so.
In exceptional circumstances we may need to cancel your trip after travelling to the start location or even part-way through your trip as conditions change. Typically we decide prior to leaving town but sometimes we make the extra effort to make an important trip take place e.g race week and overseas clients. If this happens there is a minimum cost of $100 pp. Our standards are to cancel are trip using the latest weather and flow resources BEFORE we leave town but occasionally the forecast is incorrect and we do not know until arriving at the start location.
Cancelling your Coast to Coast Kayak Hire Booking
Topsport Kayaking will gladly cancel your Coast to Coast kayak hire booking prior to the 30th of November. A cancellation charge to the value of 20% of the original hire fee will be deducted. You will be credited back the balance through your original form of payment. If you cancel your hire outside of this time period the full amount is still payable.
