Coast to Coast Grade 2 Kayak Certificate Course
The kayak stage of the Coast to Coast runs down the Grade 2 Waimakariri River, and you need a Grade 2 Kayaking Skills Certificate to enter. Our four-day course teaches you the river skills to get down it safely and fast, then assesses you for that certificate.
We're based at Peel Forest, about two hours' drive from Christchurch. Kayaks, safety gear and on-site accommodation are all included, so you can come down for four days and focus on paddling.
Home » Courses and Programmes » Outdoor Skills Courses » Kayak » Grade 2 Kayak Certificate Course
Introduction
Price | $999 per person, inc GST |
|---|---|
Length | 4 days |
When | October to April |
Where | Day 1: CBay Aquatic Centre (Timaru) or Geraldine Pool, then Flat water close to the pool. Days 2–4: Peel Forest Outdoor Centre and Rangitata and or Orari Rivers - base from Peel Forest each day. |
From Christchurch | About 2 hours' drive |
Age | 16+ |
Group size | Small coaching groups: 1 instructor to 4 paddlers, or 1 instructor plus an assistant to 6 |
Instructors | NZOIA Kayak 1 and Kayak 2 qualified |
Included | Whitewater kayak, paddle, helmet, wetsuit, PFD, windbreaker, group safety gear, 4 nights' cabin accommodation |
Bring | Your own food, bedding and personal gear (see Gear List) |
Why train with us
Your certificate is accepted for the Coast to Coast. The race accepts Grade 2 certificates signed by instructors holding a current NZOIA Kayak 1. Our assessors hold NZOIA Kayak 1 or Kayak 2.
No boat needed. We supply whitewater kayaks and all the safety gear. That suits first-timers who haven't bought a race boat yet.
Accommodation included. Stay in our off-grid cabins at Peel Forest for the whole course at no extra cost. No daily driving back and forth from Christchurch.
You'll learn to roll. Day 1 includes a pool session with an introduction to rolling, taught by Kayak 1 and Kayak 2 instructors.
Small groups, more coaching. We coach at 1 instructor to 4 paddlers, or 1 instructor plus an assistant to 6.
Room to keep improving. If you’re not at the standard after four days, we’ll tell you what to work on. You can join further days on a future course free of charge, space permitting, or book private coaching.
Programme Overview
The course builds up over four days. Day 1 is in the pool and on flat water: boat fitting, water confidence, rescues, an introduction to rolling, and core paddle strokes. Days 2 to 4 are on the river at and around Peel Forest, starting with moving-water skills and finishing with a full river day and your assessment.
This is our typical plan. We adjust it for river flows, weather and the group's progress. The full day-by-day schedule is below, or you can download the course information sheet.
Your Safety
Peel Forest Outdoor Centre is a registered Adventure Activity Operator, independently audited by AdventureMark (certificate AAO 134) and registered with WorkSafe.
Qualified Kayak 1 and 2 instructors with first aid swift water rescue training
Small groups: 1:4, or 1:6 with an assistant
Full safety kit supplied and carried on every river trip
Daily checks of river flows and weather, with plans changed to suit
Is this course right for me?
The course starts from the basics, in the pool and on flat water, so you don't need river experience. It suits:
First-time Coast to Coast entrants who need a Grade 2 certificate
Paddlers who want to build real river skills and confidence
Past competitors whose certificate is more than two years old and who haven't raced in the last five years
The more paddling you do before the course, the more you'll get out of it. If you're new to kayaking, four days is a big step. Some people need extra river time before they reach the standard, which is why we offer discounted follow-up coaching.
Getting here
Peel Forest Outdoor Centre is at 1222 Peel Forest Road, Peel Forest, near Geraldine. It's about two hours' drive from Christchurch. Day 1 starts at 8:30 am at either CBay Aquatic Centre in Timaru or Geraldine Pool (we'll confirm a week out), some people from Christchurch or further away south or north drive down/up the evening before. Please get in touch if wanting to stay the night before Day 1.
Accommodation
We provide accommodation in our off-grid Cabins at no extra charge for the duration of the course.
What you will need to bring:
You will need to bring your own bedding (sheets, pillows and duvets or sleeping bag) and towels. We provide hand towels, bathmats, tea towels and cloths for cleaning.
The bedrooms are not heated so please make sure you bring enough bedding to keep warm.
Food
You need to bring all your own food and snacks – you will need a packed lunch in a dry bag for all days.
The provided accommodation does not have refrigeration.
If you need more time
Your Grade 2 certificate isn't automatic. It's signed only when your instructor judges you've reached the standard. Generally we find most people will reach the standard by the end of the course. However if you're not there by the end of the course, we'll tell you exactly what to work on. You can then book private coaching or join further days on a future course at no charge provided there is space, within [12 months], so you don't need to repeat the full course.
Look at some of our participants in action!
Course Schedule
Day 1
08:30 am – 11:00 am
Pool Session
Meet at CBay Aquatic Centre, Timaru, or Geraldine Pool (we'll confirm a week out from your course)
Boat Fitting then Pool Session
Pool session developing:
Water confidence progressions
Rescues
Introduction to rolling
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch
Lunch and travel to flat water site
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Flat Water Session
Flat water skills session developing:
Paddle strokes
Boat edging and control
Driving your boat
Continue gaining water confidence both above and below the water
4:00 pm
Day ended
Wrap up debrief and explain the plan for the following day based on weather, river flow and ability of group
Day 2
09:00 am – 1:00 pm
Intro to Moving Water
Meet at Peel Forest Outdoor Centre, 1222 Peel Forest Road, Peel Forest 7992
Introduction to moving water including:
River features
Boat control in flow
Rescues on the river
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
River Trip
Short river trip
Day 3
09:00 am – 4:00 pm
River Session
Meet at Peel Forest Outdoor Centre, 1222 Peel Forest Road, Peel Forest 7992
Recap skills from past two days
Stroke recaps and advancement
Rescues on the river
Day 4
09:00 am – 4:00 pm
River Session
Meet at Peel Forest Outdoor Centre, 1222 Peel Forest Road, Peel Forest 7992
Full day on the river putting all the skills into practice
Demonstrate all skills for assessment
Step up into more challenging water
Ready to book!
Book through our Rezdy booking site
If we have an active course you can book here.
Group bookings are welcome.
Otherwise contact us or look below for our other upcoming courses
Gear List
On the course, we will be spending lots of time in the water, upside down and swimming come prepared for this.
We will use white water kayaks for the duration of the course, the skills are very transferable, and we don’t want to bash your nice race boats on the rocks.
Please inform us of the items you need us to supply before the start of your course and the sizes. This saves us bring heaps of gear out to the pool on the first day.
Compulsory Gear:
Thermal Polypro or woollen shirt
Fleece jersey or second polypro shirt
Woollen or Polypro socks
Pair of running shoes (these will get wet)
Towel
Spare change of clothes
Drink bottle
Lunch and snacks
Sunscreen
Any medications you take
Pool Kit
Togs + a thermal or rash top
A nose Plug and or goggles are optional but can make the learning experience much more pleasant.
Optional Gear:
Cap
Beanie
Thermal leggings (highly recommended on cooler days)
Thermos
Gear We Will Supply:
Helmet
Windbreaker jacket
Wetsuit
Personal Flotation Device (Life jacket)
White water kayak
Paddle
Safety equipment related to kayaking e.g. throw bag, pin kit, first aid kit, split paddle, bothy etc…
Gear We Can Supply on Request:
Thermal top or leggings
Fleece Top
Beanie
We are registered as an Adventure Activity Operator (AAO) with WorkSafe NZ. The Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2016 established a safety audit and registration process. The regulations aim to enhance professionalism and ensure consistent good practices across the sector.
Get in Touch
Peel Forest Outdoor Centre
1222 Peel Forest Road, RD22, Geraldine, South Canterbury, New Zealand
Call us: 03 696 3832
Linkedin: peel-forest-outdoor-centre
YouTube: Peel Forest Outdoor
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