Target Audience: Experienced paddlers with recent river exposure or strong confidence on Grade 2 water.
Overview: Intensive, fast-paced session focusing on river-based drills.
Key Benefit: Quick validation of skills for those actively paddling.
Target Audience: Paddlers needing extensive practice or lacking recent experience.
Overview: Day one focuses on reviewing flat-water fundamentals and basic white-water skills; day two involves extended river sessions refining technique.
Key Benefit: Extended practice boosts confidence and ensures thorough race preparedness.
Location:
Courses typically occur on rivers like the Mohaka, Waioeka, Whanganui, and Tongariro, offering manageable yet challenging Grade 2 rapids ideal for intermediate paddlers.
The refresher course is designed to:
Update skills for paddlers holding a Grade 2 Certificate (G2C™) who haven’t recently kayaked on moving water.
Specifically prepare paddlers for the Coast to Coast kayak stage, enhancing river reading, rapid navigation, and rescue techniques.
Ensure paddlers meet safety standards, confirming fitness and competence for race conditions.
Technique-driven paddlers (e.g., chasing sub-5-hour kayak splits) and budget-constrained or weekend-only learners will particularly benefit from our structured syllabus. With over 20 years of coaching experience, we emphasize a small-group focus for personalized attention.
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
Target Audience: Experienced paddlers with recent river exposure or strong confidence on Grade 2 water.
Overview: Intensive, fast-paced session focusing on river-based drills.
Key Benefit: Quick validation of skills for those actively paddling.
Book your Grade 2 Certificate (G2C™) course today.
Secure your Coast to Coast spot early.
Enrol now – limited seats available.
Get certified in just 3 days.
Receive a race-ready training plan included with instant confirmation email upon booking.
Whether you’re preparing for the longest-day race, looking for elite kayak coaching, or seeking a weekend-intensive multisport kayak school, our carefully structured courses and clinics are designed to meet diverse needs, ensuring paddlers are fully prepared for the Coast to Coast kayak stage.
Strokes:
Forward
Sweep
Reverse
Low brace
Draw / sculling
Variables:
Angle
Speed
Edge
Deflection
Abilities:
Ferry Glides,
Wet-exit,
River rescue and water safety:
Self-rescue,
Rapid float swim position,
Rescued by rope and boat,
Swimming,
Throw-bagging.
Clothing and equipment:
Kayak
Paddle
Spray deck
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Helmet
Dry top
Insulation
River hydrology:
Racing lines
Rapids
Eddys
Wave trains
Holes
Buffer waves
Side currents
Bluffs Braids Boils
River rescue and water safety:
Hypothermia,
Hazard identification and management,
Broaching
Strainers
Foot entrapment
Because we are staying overnight, should you choose not to be accommodated and fed by us, here is what you will need:
All of the above is available to rent / hire or buy
Skill Renewal, Confidence Building, and Optional Re-Certification (1–2 Days)
If you already hold a Grade 2 kayak qualification but haven’t paddled consistently on moving water lately, this refresher is designed to help you rebuild confidence, competence, and smooth performance on Grade 2 (Class II) rivers.
Renew your Kayak Grade 2 Certificate (G2C™) fast with our Refresher course: iconic grade 2 rivers like the Mohaka and Waioeka, guided by NZOIA-qualified coaches. Review rescue skills, rapid reading, paddle efficiency, self-recovery and Coast to Coast race tactics before on-water assessment. Ideal for paddlers whose certificate is older than three years.
2hr free Flat and Moving Water session in Auckland with every course booked!
Certification is a moment in time. Capability is not.
This is Stage 3 – Maintain Capability.
This refresher exists to maintain, restore, or re-validate Grade 2 capability as conditions, confidence, or time away from rivers change.
This is the ideal option for paddlers whose certificate is older than three years, whose river mileage has dropped, or whose confidence has dipped – especially if you’re preparing for the Coast to Coast kayak stage or returning to independent river paddling.
Many strong paddlers choose this option simply to recalibrate before returning to independent Grade 2 paddling or racing.
At Social Nature Movement, the refresher is intentionally flexible. Depending on your needs, we can deliver:
This allows paddlers to choose the most appropriate pathway based on confidence, recent experience, and upcoming goals – without compromising the integrity of the Grade 2 standard.
Complimentary 2-hour Flat & Moving Water Kayak Session in Auckland
Perfect for confidence, technique polish, assessment readiness, or post-refresher consolidation.
This programme is well suited to:
Some participants simply want to feel comfortable again on moving water. Others want to refresh skills and then formally certify or re-certify. Both are supported.
This is practical, on-water coaching designed to rebuild automatic responses and calm decision-making – not a high-pressure test unless certification is requested.
Coaching focus includes:
The emphasis is on rebuilding flow, judgement, and confidence so Grade 2 paddling feels natural again.
This refresher is modular and outcomes-led:
Pure skill renewal and confidence rebuilding, without testing. Ideal if you’re returning to rivers after time off, or you simply want more moving-water time before thinking about certification.
For paddlers who are already confident and want a formal Grade 2 assessment/sign-off efficiently. Delivered in an assessment-led format under appropriate Grade 2 conditions.
Coaching is used first to close gaps, then assessment occurs once both you and the instructor agree you’re ready. This is the best “low-stress, high-success” option for many paddlers.
All refresher coaching and assessment is delivered exclusively on proven Central North Island rivers, selected for consistency, progression, and real-world relevance:
These rivers provide consistent Grade 1–2 conditions, progressive challenge, and environments well suited to both skill renewal and fair assessment.
Structure is adapted to ability and objectives, but commonly includes:
Coaching remains constructive and calm so confidence rebuilds naturally.
SNM delivers a Grade 2 paddler capability lifecycle.
This lifecycle has three states:
Best for: Experienced paddlers with recent river exposure or strong confidence on Grade 2 water.
Benefit: Fast validation and sharp tuning for those already active.
Best for: Paddlers lacking recent exposure, needing deeper repetition, or wanting lower-pressure progression.
Benefit: More time for line repetition, rescue refresh, and confidence to rebuild properly.
To maximise river time, core theory can be completed online prior to your refresher. This covers safety systems, hazards, equipment setup, and river awareness – so coaching time stays practical and applied.
All of the above is available to rent, hire, or buy.
Yes. This refresher is designed for paddlers who have previously achieved Grade 2.
No. Certification is optional and only undertaken if requested and appropriate.
Yes. Many paddlers refresh first and return for assessment when ready.
Typically 1 or 2 days, depending on experience, confidence, and goals.
Reliable, realistic conditions that support both skill refinement and credible assessment.
The Grade Two Certificate Refresher is about rebuilding ease, confidence, and judgement on moving water. Whether you want to train, certify, or do both, this programme provides a clear, supportive pathway that respects your experience while maintaining the integrity of the Grade 2 standard.
This refresher intentionally loops paddlers back into the same Grade 2 system – training, assessment, or both – depending on what’s appropriate now.
