Grade 2 Kayak Course

Want to do the Coast to Coast, but don't have a grade 2 kayak certificate?

- Are you entered in the race, on the waitlist, or plan to enter in the next 2 years?
- Are you just getting started, or have very little kayaking experience?
- Do you not feel confident in your current paddling ability?

On Canterbury Kayaking's 4-day , you’ll gain the skills and certification you need through a safe and structured step-by-step process. Once you've developed your paddling ability and achieved your grade 2 certificate, you'll be able to train towards the Coast to Coast with confidence and achieve a race result you can be proud of.

Without certification, your Coast to Coast goals are simply not possible.

Many athletes aspire to kayak in the Coast to Coast but lack the skills and qualifications to actually make it happen. Without solid paddling skills and an official grade II certificate, your Coast to Coast ambitions can feel like a far-away dream.

In this course, you’ll learn how to read the river, handle rapids, and keep yourself safe. You'll also earn your grade 2 certificate, serving as evidence that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to race.

Once you've become a certified paddler, you'll feel confident on the river, your training will gain momentum, and you'll feel ready to kayak in the Coast to Coast race. How It Works
- Book your dates at the top of this page.
- Learn to kayak and gain your certification
- Email your certificate to the Coast to Coast Meet Your Coach

Sam Milne is the most experienced kayak instructor on the Waimakariri River and the founder of Canterbury Kayaking. Through helping over 1,000 athletes prepare for the Coast to Coast, Sam has learned that every competitor needs strong paddling skills in order to be successful.

As Sam was completing his instructor training, he found that most Coast to Coast coaches didn't spend enough time teaching the skills that really matter. If he followed the norm, he knew his clients would be underprepared, nervous, and fall out during the race.

That’s why Sam started Canterbury Kayaking and created his own skills training framework. In this course, you’ll learn to kayak based on 4 whitewater principles that will help you pass your certificate quickly and stay in your kayak down the river.

After you complete Canterbury Kayaking's , you’ll have the certification you need to enter the Coast to Coast and the paddling skills to race with confidence. What do I get with the course?

- Free use of a boat, paddle, spray skirt, PFD, and helmet for the entire program.
- 4 days of professional skills coaching with Sam Milne, the Waimakariri River's most experienced kayak instructor.
- Up to 5x more experience on real rapids compared to other providers.
- Exclusive discount on products from our gear shop.
- Personalized advice on which models of multisport kayaks are right for you.
- Official certification for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.
- Free second course if you do not pass by the final day.