Coast to Coast Skills Course - January 2026
Masterclass Preparation!
Where do we start with this one! If you are training for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast and living outside of Canterbury Region then this is the week for you. Join our talented Topsport Kayaking and Running guides for an amazing four days of skills and training on the Coast to Coast Course. You will spend three days on the river section of the course including the Waimakariri Gorge then take a trip over the challenging Goat Pass Mountain Run route.
Date: 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th of January 2026
Click to download information Pack
Who should do this 4-day course?
- This course is ideally suited to anyone training for the Coast to Coast living outside the Canterbury Area.
- Travelling competitors looking to gain maximum benefit out of their time training on the Coast to Coast Course.
- Competitors with a sound kayaking background looking to get assessed or reassessed for their Grade II Certificate.
Topsport will provide you with:
- Return transport from our Christchurch meeting point daily
- Accommodation transfers can be arranged depending on where you stay
- Three days of kayak expert instruction on the Coast to Coast River section
- A Grade II Certificate Assessment if required
- One Day of expert instruction over the Coast to Coast Mountain Run section
- Hire kayak and gear available if required at an extra cost
The Topsport Difference
- This incredible program has been expertly designed by Coast to Coast Longest Day & Classic River Race winner Sam Manson and five time Classic River Race winner Katie Cambie. Sam and Kate have designed this course to allow travelling competitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in every aspect of race preparation. Nothing else comes close to this program.
- Transport provided to and from Christchurch daily
- 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
Click to download information Pack
Kayak Hire
If you are travelling from out of town yes you can hire a multisport kayak from us.
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.
Requirements
Kayaking: 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.
Goat Pass: These requirements are in place for your safety
- You must be able to swim
- Be training most days and have a good base fitness
- To complete this trip it is highly recommended that you have a body capable to run 20-25km and that you have done some training off road trail running and have found a local spot to practice some rock hopping.
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.
If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us by:
Phone (Kate): 021 51 61 75
Email: info@topsport.co.nz
Epic Adventure with Topsport
"I recently completed the two-day course with the Coast-to-Coast recce through Topsport Kayaking, and it was absolutely epic! The combination of running and kayaking made for an incredible adventure, and the entire experience was smooth from start to finish.
A massive shoutout to Sam, who was fantastic and truly a credit to the business. His knowledge of the terrain was exceptional, and his patience throughout the course was second to none. He made sure everyone felt confident and safe while also keeping the vibe fun and engaging.
If you’re considering a challenge or want to sharpen your skills in an amazing setting, I can’t recommend Topsport Kayaking highly enough. This experience was well worth it – I’m already keen for the next one!"
- Jamie Orr
Customer reviews
"Our instructors managed the certification course as true professionals"
"Our guides were professional and had safety at the forefront of their minds in challenging conditions"
"Their kayaking passion, capability and knowledge were the real difference"
"Incredibly knowledgeable with a strong emphasis on safety and completing all skills to a high standard"
