1-Day Course (Jet Boat into Gorge Rapids) with Sam Manson

Overview

This is a skills day that is suitable for paddlers who have prior experience paddling your kayak on the river already or done the Coast to Coast.

Cost includes $155 per person Jet Boat Fee with Alpine Jet. The rapids you are focusing on are the 17km lower section of the Waimakariri Gorge. This includes rapids such as Wu Tang Slam, Broken River Bluffs, Pinnacle Bluff, White Rock Rapid and Otarama.

This is a small group with just 4 paddlers in total.

Get the best out of your weekend by including the Woodstock braids day too (1-day before). Book here This 1 day course is all about stepping up your skills!

This is the perfect day out if you're looking to take your gorge rapid skills to the next level. You may have just ticked off your first Coast to Coast, or a seasoned paddler looking to get more out of your kayaking and gain precious time. Which ever you are your Grade II Course was just the beginning. Even if you have been paddling for years, this day out will help you to improve both your river reading and paddling skills with the aim of understanding how to identify the fastest lines for race day. You will gain in both confidence and ability over the duration of this course. This is a great day on the river with Sam and we cannot recommend it enough. Trip Details

This day will see you travelling by jet boat (Alpine Jet Thrills) 17km up into the Gorge to Walkers Pool. The day will be focused on running a variety of bluffs and specific rapids such as large wave trains. We will be looking to build your skills and confidence on some of the tricker features on the river. There will be the opportunity to paddle some of these features multiple times and fine-tune those lines! Sam will demonstrate good race lines and continue to work on your river reading skills.

Download everything you need to know here! Trip Schedule

- 8:00am - Meet at Sheffield Pie Shop then convoy to the Jet boat base

- 8:25am - All arrive in personal vehicles at the Alpine Jet Thrills base: https://shorturl.at/jrsZ6 (Please let us know if you need assistance getting there)

- 8:30 - Get changed, load boats and gear on the Jet Boat

- 9:00am - Depart base into the gorge with Alpine Jet Thrills

- 9:25am - Unload boat and team meeting to discuss the plan for the day

- 9:45am - On the water - River skills

- 12:00pm - Lunch on side of the river

-12:30pm - On the water - River skills

- 2:30pm - Off the water at Woodstock (Alpine Jet Thrills Base)

- 3:00pm Debrief then depart base by 3:30pm. 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

This is a great weekend on the river but don't just listen to us.

"I've been paddling multisport boats for a few years & wanted to learn some new skills so I attended "The Next Level" with Sam Manson in October 2020. The two days were hugely worthwhile, getting instruction from someone with the experience and skill level of Sam was just invaluable. The whole TSK team are all very professional and the course had a great balance of positive encouragement, challenges & fun. I really got a huge amount out of this course and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their kayaking knowledge and skills."

Phil Damen Paddling his JKK Total Eclipse SS "Each year I keep coming back to do a trip down the river with Topsport Kayaking because I keep having the best paddling experiences ever with their guides. They are very professional, have a tremendous level of skills and experience and all of them provide a fantastic balance of encouragement and challenge the way they teach. I did the "The Next Level" with Sam Manson in October 2020 and I can't recommend Sam and Topsport Kayaking highly enough. I learnt so much. What really helps are their communication and management skills from the day you sign up for a course till you have finished it, one feels very well looked after and cared for. I will sign up again and keep recommending them to my very best friends and others"
Simone Maier paddling her JKK Magnetar. Longest Day Champion 2019 & 2021 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.

Please to discuss options if you don’t the fit these requirements.