Coast to Coast 2024 Kayak Lines

[@PaulCarman-v5x]

I can't praise Sam highly enough. I've had the good fortune to do the Grade 2 and a couple of the Multisport courses over the past few years together. Sam's Kayak Lines videos are the definitive and go to for any Coast to Coast athlete, no matter what your level of kayaking skill. I first got in a multisport boat in 2020 and Sam provided the opportunity to learn, gain a understanding of what you are supposed to do and the chance to begin to try and put that all into practice! The trips through the gorge are a must. All in all, I'm absolutely stoked with what Sam has been able to teach me and getting through the Waimak in the 2023 race when the conditions were described by the race coordinator as Boisterous was something I couldn't have imagined doing without the time spent with Sam and team at Canterbury Kayaking. Thanks Sam, you're a legend.

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Sam

[@drowningfishes111]

Thanks for taking the time to film and put this up Sam! Good luck to you and the family and good luck to everyone else on race day!

[@GaryLloyd-z1k]

Great work Sam, once again invaluable tips & information not only for novice paddlers, but everyone will benefit from this footage. Anyone considering a Grade 2 course I can highly recommend Sam & his team to guide you through the entire process. Sam is so professional & thorough in his approach to teaching paddlers of all ability. After watching this video, you will see evidence of Sam's calm & reassuring nature that he brings to his teaching... He makes learning fun, enjoyable & most of all beneficial to those wanting to get the best out of their paddling experience. Good luck with the new addition to the family Sam... Another exciting chapter for you all! Hope all goes well on the day.

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thank you so much for your kind words of recommendation! - Sam

[@attilacsizmadia4807]

I recently completed the Coast to Coast 2024, and kayaking turned out to be the highlight for me. Before connecting with Canterbury Kayaking, my only kayaking experience was with sit-on-top rentals during family vacations. :) The video, combined with a grade 2 certification and a 3-day course with Sam, was a game changer. I highly recommend it to any beginner planning to take on the Coast to Coast in 2025!

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thanks so much for the kind words mate. And congratulations once again on a great performance at Coast to Coast! - Sam

[@Canterburykayaking]

Hi everyone thanks so much for all your amazing feedback! FYI the newly formed bluff corner shown as “Kinbrooks Bluff” in this video (right by Kinbrooks Hut) is also known by some as “Pinnacle Rock”. I hope that’s not too confusing for ya’ll should it remain in play for a while. Happy paddling - Sam

[@JaredPrice-d6q]

Thanks Sam, appreciate you taking the time to do this. If anyone is considering the C2C next year and is in need of their Grade 2 certificate I highly recommend Canterbury Kayaking. I completed my Grade 2 and kayaked the Waimak a couple of times with Sam prior to last years event and was back a couple of weeks ago to paddle it again prior to this years event, always a good day out

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thanks so much for the strong recommendation! Much appreciated 🙏

[@reubenboniface7835]

Thanks Sam, that is so different to last year, looking forward to Saturday, hopefully it's still 70-80cumec!

[@garethholebrook]

Thanks, great to see what the river looks like this week. Really appreciate your tips.

[@graemedodd5505]

Thanks for the video Sam and best wishes for the new arrival! To anyone considering doing the coast to coast I can't recommend Sam and his training methods highly enough.

[@Canterburykayaking]

Cheers Graeme, thanks for the recommendation too 👍 Have a great race! - Sam

[@KevinHolland-p6w]

These videos that Sam does for the community are always fantastic. If you don't know the gorge like the back of your had, watch and learn. If if you do think you know better, watch anyway because there will still be something you didn't think of.

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thanks for that! I appreciate your comment 👍 - Sam

[@attilacsizmadia4807]

Thanks Sam. I’ll watch it few times before Saturday:)

[@Canterburykayaking]

Have a great time on the river everyone! I’m here in the comments if you have any questions 👍 - Sam

[@RichardRossiter-u9o]

I don't know why, but something made me check your KZbin channel and see if you had put out a new kayak lines video as you always do in the days leading up to each C to C. I couldn't believe it when I saw a new video that had only been up for 38mins. Great information video as usual Sam. Good luck with your new baby

[@Canterburykayaking]

This is awesome! Thanks a lot for your support. I hope you had a great paddle at Coast to Coast. - Sam

[@gregtaylor1767]

Hey Sam - thanks for the video! For someone from the nth island this is absolute gold! For those looking at 2025, Sam is an awesome instructor👌

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thank you so much Greg! - Sam

[@ninapoletti9459]

This is awesome, thanks so much Sam! For new paddlers, I did my Grade Two in 2021 and an additional skills course in 2023 (plus a couple of guided trips) with Sam and his team and would 100% recommend CK for the best and safest experience on the river. Still nervous as hell for race day but Sam has been a huge part of helping me build confidence and genuinely enjoy kayaking! All the best with the new pēpi!

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thanks so much for the kind words Nina. Congratulations again on your Coast to Coast achievement! - Sam

[@gretchenhawkesby7105]

Thanks Sam, most appreciated

[@MrRoselee9]

Completed C2C 2023. Did all my kayak skills training with Sam, Grade 2, Skills improvement then a couple of guided trips down the Waimakariri pre race. Totally recommend Canterbury Kayaking. Went from being a total novice to having the best fun down the river during the race. Missed out this year. So, good luck for and don't forget to take in the scenery. So beautiful.

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thank you for taking the time to write this comment. I really appreciate your support! - Sam

[@darrylthompson7749]

Great float through Sam! Looks awesome out there. I did the Grade 2 course with Sam (Canterbury kayaking) end of summer last year. Remember it like it was yesterday. Was so much fun, jam packed full of technique and skill development also learnt alot about the river flow mechanics. I missed out on the ballot for coast to coast 2024 but this Kayaking course was the highlight of 2023 for me. Will love to do the Grade 2 course again towards the end of the year.

[@Canterburykayaking]

Hey Darryl, thanks for your comment. I’d love to have you back for a another course soon mate! - Sam

[@LukeandKrissyShadbolt]

Great video and advice. Thanks Sam.

[@mrrf900]

Thanks Sam for another awesome extremely helpful video. All the best for the exciting arrival.

[@Canterburykayaking]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers - Sam

[@duncanhawksworth9850]

Here in South Africa our rivers look very different so it’s interesting seeing your rapids. You guys should come do the Dusi canoe marathon in South Africa. It’s a 3 day kayak race with rapids ranging from grade 1 to grade 3+

[@Canterburykayaking]

Hey! Thanks for the comment. Yes I’ve seen footage of the Dusi and it looks wild. Totally different ball game I imagine! - Sam

[@talynstanton8521]

Sam's videos are great and his escorted trips even better. I was so glad I had been thru the Gorge with him pre-race (2021), on race day I just kept thinking "what would Sam advise here?" And lo no swims or issues!😃

[@Canterburykayaking]

Haha this is gold! Thank you so much Talyn. I hope to have the pleasure of paddling with you again soon. - Sam

[@peterdouglas4073]

Now I'm going to have to save for a plane flight, thanks🙃🙂

[@MariaVoigt-b6c]

Awesome refresher. Thanks so much.

[@Canterburykayaking]

Glad it was helpful! - Sam

[@ES-pc5ml]

Any hints for the first 7km and last 15km? :) You make it look easy. I'm so glad I had time to prepare with two courses with you over the last year and a guided trip down the river with Canterbury Kayaking in a tandem with my partner. I'm starting to get excited. For those of you considering a course with Sam, you'll learn heaps, you'll be SAFE, you'll learn solid skills and you'll come back for more.

[@Canterburykayaking]

First 7km and bottom 15 are really easy. There are definitely some braid choices to be made and some would impact your time by a minute or so. I decided not to include braid choices in this years video as I want to preserve the skill of reading the braids and also honour those who took the time to get out there recently and go through the process of mapping them out and figuring out which routes are faster. For most athletes though, the trick is simply trying not to get get stuck, follow the most water and keep going down hill! Have fun! Sam

[@TheKiwifire]

Amazing, just received confirmation of our team entry for 2025 - lucky me, I’m the kayaker. This video has given me some confidence, not to book in my flights (I’m in Sydney) get my grade 2 and explore with you guys.

[@Canterburykayaking]

How exciting! Yes please feel confident to book flights across and do your grade 2 certification with us. We get a lot of people coming from Australia to do our program and i guarantee it’s worth travelling for! - Sam

[@TheKiwifire]

Opps should have said “now to book”. lol. Might see you in April

[@Canterburykayaking]

Haha I figured! Looking forward to meeting you and paddling together. Book via our website: canterburykayaking.co.nz/products/grade-2-kayak-course

[@TheKiwifire]

Booked !!!!

[@Samuel-zt1dg]

@@TheKiwifire great! I’ve got it 👍

[@dickongley1158]

Sam - thank you so much for your teaching you have provided to myself and my lads (age 20 and 18 years) and then this video - so thankful with race just around the corner (excuse the pun)

[@Canterburykayaking]

Thanks you so much Dick! I’m glad to have had the pleasure of working with you and your boys. Cheers, Sam