Kim Thompson – part of High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPNZ), Canoe Racing New Zealand, Olympics NZ Team – has won World Cups and National Championships with this to say:
Had a blast doing my Grade 2 kayak certification for the Coast to Coast, Chris tailored the program really well across the range of abilities so everyone walked away a better paddler than they were before and had a good time. Thank you!
Summer, 2024
Duration: 1, 2 or 3 days (you choose)
Overview: The Multisport Grade 2 Certificate (G2C™) is designed specifically for confident, experienced paddlers looking to demonstrate their existing kayaking skills without direct instruction. Typically preceded by our optional 1-2 day training course, this certificate ensures you are ready for multisport competitions such as the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.
Online-Theory training course components: save time and skip the in-person theory for more river time and skill acquisition by to the academia at home: click HERE
Comprehensive kayak assessment package
White-water technique
Swift-water safety
Boat control & edging
Paddle stroke efficiency
Rescue & rolling drills
Fast-track certification
Grade-two licence
Weekend intensive clinics
Elite kayak coaching
Multisport kayak school
Canterbury training
Kayak leg preparation
Coast to Coast kayak stage readiness
Longest-day race preparation
Race-ready training plan included
Gear hire & transport add-on available
20+ years of coaching experience
Small-group focused learning environment
Structured syllabus tailored to multisport kayakers
Catering to technique-driven paddlers (e.g., sub-5-hour kayak splits)
Ideal for budget-constrained or weekend-only learners
Optional flat-water coaching available in Auckland
Skill: ✅ Nature-based experience ✅ Physical exercise
✅ Excellent instruction ✅ Good company and community environment
✅ Instant confirmation email upon booking
Difficulty: Moderate – suitable for individuals with existing kayaking skills.
Accommodation: Usually at campgrounds with complete facilities. We offer optional Glamping; everything is arranged and provided.
Meals: Self-catered.
Locations: Locations vary based on weather conditions and participant preferences. We primarily utilise rivers including:
🚩Mohaka River (Napier) 🚩Waioeka River (Opotiki) 🚩Rangitikei River (Taihape) 🚩 Waikato (Taupo) 🚩 Rangitaikei (Rotorua) 🚩 Whanganui (Taumarunui)
🚩 Tongariro (Turangi)
1.1 Identifies and responds appropriately to Grade 2 river features. Eddylines, wave trains, holes, buffer waves, bluffs, side currents and boils.
1.2 Identifies and demonstrates paddling safe and efficient lines.
1.3 Demonstrates efficient and effective forward paddling.
1.4 Demonstrates efficient and effective forward and reverse sweep strokes. Remains balanced.
1.5 Demonstrates effective low brace. Can right self from tipping point. Can use appropriately while paddling in rapid.
1.6 Demonstrates breaking in and out of eddies. Can hold desired line. Remains balanced.
1.7 Demonstrates ferry gliding. Can hold desired line. Remains balanced.
2.1 Understands correct use of personal kayaking and safety equipment. Can identify appropriate and inappropriate equipment. Including kayak, PFD, helmet, thermals, paddle, spraydeck.
2.2 Recognises and understands hazards associated with kayaking, including broaching, strainers and foot entrapment. The appropriate actions required to avoid or deal with these hazards are described and/or demonstrated.
2.3 Demonstrates self-rescue with kayak and gear. Candidate capsizes, stays calm, gathers equipment and efficiently moves to bank. Empties boat and paddling again within efficient timeframe.
2.4 Demonstrates safe rapid float position (on back, feet first, feet up etc).
2.5 Demonstrates assertive white water swimming across wave train and eddyline.
2.6 Demonstrates being rescued with aid of another craft (kayaker and/or jetboat).
2.7 Receives a throw bag as a swimmer in Grade 2. Correct holding of rope and body.
2.8 Can describe and identify, prevention, symptoms and treatment of hypothermia.
2.9 Recognises basic river signals and describes appropriate response.
Beyond the Grade 2 Certificate: Achieving your Grade 2 Certificate (G2C™) opens opportunities for further kayaking adventures, including:
Advanced white-water kayak stages
Multisport races and raft tours
Continuous skill enhancement and refreshers
Better Lines and Faster Times: Our innovative program is ideal for paddlers seeking performance improvements or preparation for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast multisport race. Whether you’re new to kayaking or aiming to perfect your competitive edge, our intensive training program ensures you achieve your best performance.
Social Nature Movement are authorised assessors in Auckland for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast World Multi-Sport Championships. We deliver the North Island’s most comprehensive Grade 2 Certificate (G2C™) training package, designed to develop safe, self-sufficient paddlers ready for multisport events.
Join Social Nature Movement and become a confident paddler, ready to explore New Zealand’s beautiful waterways.
Book your Grade 2 course today to secure your Coast to Coast spot! Click the booking tab, press the book now button, or fill an enquiry form here.
It is shorthand for cubic metre(s) per second. That means there is – for example – a volumetric flow rate equal to that of a cube with sides of one metre moving past a stationary point each second. Data in units of cumec are used along the y-axis or vertical axis of a flow hydrograph.
Here is a CUMEC conversion for you:
1 cubic metre per second = 1000 litres per second
≈ 219.969248 imperial gallons per second
≈ 264.172051 US gallons per second
≈ 35.314454 cubic feet per second
≈ 1.305 cubic yards per second
To pass your Grade 2 kayak certificate in a day you will need prior experience and precise training to ensure that you can do all that is requried on assessment day.
There are a range of skills and knowledge that you need to present to your Grade 2 kayak certificate assessor. Once satisfied, they will certify you.
We have only ever failed three people for their Grade 2 kayak certificate. Genrally speaking there is a high Grade 2 kayak certificate success rate.
If on the rare chance you fail (we have a 99% success rate), then you are welcome back at half price.
September through to May are the most popular months to do ones Grade 2 kayak certificate. That is because of the warmer weather and waters.
You need a Grade 2 kayak certificate to compete in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Kayak stage.
We select the best staff for the job based on their skills, knolwedge and experiences. They will be an SNM staff member or we will bring in support from equally competent contractors. Sometimes we also bring in (semi)celebrity guests!
All of the above is available to rent / hire or buy
The Multisport Grade 2 Certificate (G2C™) is a recognized certification program that assesses and validates the skills and abilities of individuals in navigating Grade 2 whitewater. Participants undergo comprehensive practical assessments and theoretical examinations to demonstrate their proficiency in safely and competently maneuvering through moderate whitewater environments.
2hr free Flat and Moving Water session in Auckland with every course booked!
The Multisport Grade Two Kayak Certificate (G2C™) is the recognised benchmark for demonstrating you can kayak Grade 2 (Class II) moving water safely and independently in New Zealand. It is commonly required for multisport events (including Coast to Coast) and is widely accepted as evidence of real-world river competence by race organisers, clubs, and insurers.
At Social Nature Movement, this programme is delivered as a 1-day or 2-day option only. This reflects a clear assessment philosophy: certification should be based on demonstrated ability, delivered efficiently and fairly, without unnecessary time on course when the standard is already met.
This option is for paddlers who already meet the Grade 2 standard and simply require formal recognition.
If you are unsure, under-confident, or returning after time off the water, you will achieve a better outcome through training or a combined pathway.
This assessment does not exist to teach you Grade 2 skills – it exists to confirm you already have them.
SNM delivers a Grade 2 paddler capability lifecycle.
This lifecycle has three states:
Complimentary 2-hour Flat & Moving Water Kayak Session in Auckland
Ideal for final technique polish, assessment readiness, confidence building, or post-cert consolidation.
A Grade Two Kayak Certificate is not a participation award. It confirms that you can:
Certification is issued only when the required standard is demonstrated on moving water. Completing training alone does not equal certification.
Across New Zealand, Grade 2 certification is often delivered through fixed multi-day programmes. While these can be effective, they are not always necessary for paddlers who already have the required experience.
Our structure is intentionally different:
Shorter does not mean easier.
It means purpose-built and well designed.
The 1-day option is designed for experienced paddlers who already meet the Grade 2 standard.
Focus areas include:
Outcome:
Certification is issued only if the Grade 2 standard is met on the day.
This option suits paddlers who have trained extensively and require formal sign-off.
The 2-day option suits paddlers who are close to the standard and want targeted feedback and confidence before assessment.
Day 1
Day 2
Outcome:
Greater confidence, lower pressure, and a fair opportunity to demonstrate competency without unnecessary repetition.
All assessments are delivered exclusively on proven Central North Island rivers, selected for reliable Grade 2 conditions and realistic multisport environments:
These rivers offer:
This consistency supports clear, fair assessment outcomes.
To maximise river time, core theory can be completed online prior to assessment. This covers equipment systems, river awareness, hazards, and decision-making – so the on-water focus remains practical and performance-based.
You will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate the following competently and consistently:
River Features & Lines
1.1 Identifies and responds appropriately to Grade 2 river features: eddylines, wave trains, holes, buffer waves, bluffs, side currents, boils
1.2 Identifies and demonstrates paddling safe and efficient lines
Core Paddling Competence
1.3 Demonstrates efficient and effective forward paddling
1.4 Demonstrates efficient and effective forward and reverse sweep strokes while remaining balanced
1.5 Demonstrates an effective low brace; can recover from tipping point and use appropriately in a rapid
River Manoeuvres
1.6 Demonstrates breaking in and out of eddies; holds desired line and remains balanced
1.7 Demonstrates ferry gliding; holds desired line and remains balanced
Equipment Understanding
2.1 Understands correct use of personal kayaking and safety equipment; identifies appropriate/inappropriate equipment including: kayak, PFD, helmet, thermals, paddle, spraydeck
Hazards
2.2 Recognises hazards associated with kayaking including broaching, strainers, foot entrapment; describes/demonstrates actions to avoid or manage these hazards
Rescue Competence
2.3 Demonstrates self-rescue with kayak and gear: capsizes, stays calm, gathers equipment, moves efficiently to bank, empties boat and resumes paddling within an efficient timeframe
2.4 Demonstrates safe rapid float position (on back, feet first, feet up, etc.)
2.5 Demonstrates assertive whitewater swimming across wave train and eddyline
2.6 Demonstrates being rescued with aid of another craft (kayaker and/or jetboat)
2.7 Receives a throw bag as a swimmer in Grade 2; correct holding of rope and body position
Cold Risk & Signals
2.8 Describes prevention, symptoms, and treatment of hypothermia
2.9 Recognises basic river signals and describes appropriate resp
Achieving your G2C™ opens opportunities for:
⦁ Coast to Coast and other multisport races
⦁ More confident independent paddling
⦁ Advanced training stages and structured refreshers
⦁ Better lines, improved efficiency, and more composed decision-making under pressure
⦁ 20+ years of coaching and multisport preparation experience
⦁ Small groups with direct, practical coaching feedback
⦁ Structured, assessment-aligned syllabus
⦁ Designed for technique-driven paddlers (including sub-5-hour kayak split goals)
⦁ Optional gear hire and transport add-ons
⦁ Optional Auckland flatwater coaching and consolidation sessions
⦁ Instant confirmation email upon booking
Kim Thompson – High Performance Sport NZ (HPNZ), Canoe Racing New Zealand, Olympics NZ Team
“Had a blast doing my Grade 2 kayak certification for the Coast to Coast. Chris tailored the program really well across the range of abilities so everyone walked away a better paddler than they were before and had a good time. Thank you!”
Summer, 2024
No. This certification is delivered only as a 1-day or 2-day option.
No. The Grade 2 standard is unchanged. Duration reflects competence, not difficulty.
No. Certification is earned by meeting the Grade 2 standard on moving water.
They provide reliable, realistic Grade 2 conditions with minimal logistical overhead.
Choose the 2-day option to allow refinement and reassessment under lower pressure.
Yes — if you already have the skills and experience to meet the standard on assessment day.
We assess on proven Central North Island rivers including Mohaka, Waioeka, Whanganui, Tongariro, Waikato, and Rangitīkei.
Most paddlers who arrive prepared pass. If you’re close, the 2-day option is built to help you demonstrate the standard cleanly.
If you do not meet the standard, you’ll receive clear feedback on the gaps and a pathway to return stronger. (If you choose to keep the “half price return” offer, add it here as a single line.)
We select experienced SNM staff and, where appropriate, equally competent contractors. Our priority is assessment integrity and safety leadership.
All of the above is available to rent, hire, or buy.
A cumec is shorthand for cubic metre(s) per second — a river flow measurement.
1 cubic metre per second = 1000 litres per second
(Flow data in cumecs is commonly used on river flow charts and hydrographs.)
The Multisport Grade Two Kayak Certificate (G2C™) is about demonstrated ability, not how many days you attend. By offering 1-day and 2-day options only, this programme delivers credible, recognised certification that respects experience, standards, and assessment integrity.
Not quite ready?
If gaps are identified, you’ll receive a clear pathway back through training or refresher options before re-attempting assessment.
