Grade II Certificate Course
Grade II Certificate | Multisport Kayaking Grade 2 Course | NZ
Grade II Certificate | Multisport Kayaking Grade 2 Course | NZ
Grade II Certificate Course

Grade II Certificate Course

Regular price$495.00
/
Tax included.

  • Low stock - 3 items left
  • Inventory on the way

Multisport Grade 2 Certificate Course

Total cost: $1295

Online booking only requires a $495 non refundable deposit. Topsport will be in touch to arrange full payment. We have payment options to suit. 

Overview

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!

PLEASE NOTE: ALL our Autumn Courses 2024 are starting at 6.15pm the previous day with an evening pool session. 

See the Topsport Grade II Course Instagram story for an insight into the course: https://tinyurl.com/4c3zjxas

Course Details
  • All whitewater kayaking equipment is provided for Day One 
  • No previous whitewater experience required (Some 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 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.

Download the info here.

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.


Use collapsible tabs for more detailed information that will help customers make a purchasing decision.

Ex: Shipping and return policies, size guides, and other common questions.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Cancellation Policy - Terms and Conditions 

COVID 19 - Standard cancelation policy applies

Our cancellation policy allows clients to reschedule or cancel their booked course or guided trip provided enough notice is given. This policy helps support our small local business when there is not enough time to replace a booking if someone cancels their space at short notice. 

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 and your trip or course has been booked for less than 90 days. If your trip or course has been booked for more than 90 days a 50% refund will be given. 

We deduct an administration fee for any courses or trips that are cancelled.

Our Cancelation fee’s are as follows:

  • Grade II Certificate Course - $495
  • Guided River Trip - $95
  • Guided Run Trip - $95
  • Guided Run/River Combo - $95
  • The Next Level - $95

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 14 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
  • The Next Level - $49

Weather & Flow Conditions

Safety requirements may force us to cancel your kayak course, gorge trip or mountain run for a number of reasons (eg. bad weather, river flow level, wind, etc).

If we need to cancel 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 at no charge on another date that suits. 

When travelling from out of town PLEASE make sure you book flexi flights and accomodation 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 2023. 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.

THE TOPSPORT TEAM

Why choose us?

All of the staff here at Topsport have competed in many multisport races at a high level, including the iconic Coast to Coast. We know what it takes to get down the river safely, with the right technology while having a good time. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TEAM

Don't take our word for it

★★★★★

I recently completed my Grade II Assessment with Topsport Kayaking. The service provided by the team was excellent. The email communications were clear with excellent detail. The check in app was also very easy to use. On the days, my instructors Sam and Phil were excellent, incredibly knowledgeable with a strong emphasis on safety and completing all skills to a high standard. The Gorge trip was well organized and at all times, I felt I was in safe hands. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending using Topsport for kayaking trips and/or training again the future. Thanks so much for such a positive experience team!

Bex

Grade II Assessment November 2022 

★★★★★

Just a quick note to say thank you. Ryan and Zack were excellent instructors. They managed the certification course as true professionals. It’s not easy to instil confidence, build student skills, and deal with some challenging environmental conditions. I was particularly impressed with Ryan’s enthusiasm for all-things-paddling. His passion and ability shone through. 

Richard

Grade II Certificate Course November 2022

★★★★★

Just wanna say a big thank you for a great day through the Gorge yesterday. Big ups to Len, Sam and Phil. Our guides Sam and Phil were very professional and had our safety at the forefront of their thinking in quite challenging river conditions. It was great to learn wee titbits from these two very experienced paddlers. 

Dean

Waimakariri Guided River Trip November 2022

★★★★★

Wanted to send a quick email to say thank you for the Grade II Kayak course I just attended over the weekend. Ryan and Zack did a great job, they were friendly, professional and did a great job keeping our course on track and progressing while the weather gods tried hard to disrupt things. They are clearly capable young men, but their kayaking passion, capability and knowledge were the real difference. I learnt a lot and certainly feel more confident as a novice kayaker – thank you very much.

Sandy

Grade II Certificate October 2022