Welcome to UCCC's website

Trips are the primary focus of the UCCC. During the year there are five main annual/biannual trips. Leaders and Seconds, Combos, White-Water Week, Avon Pub Crawl and Brunner. These are all awesome trips, priced only to cover costs, and we encourage everyone to come along. However, the bulk of UCCC trips are actually organised privately by the instructors and members of the club. There is a variety of kayaking locations in close proximity to Christchurch that can cater to any level of kayaking or canoeing ability. This ranges from afternoon surf session at Brighton and/or Sumner, beginner weekend river trips to the Hurinui River, Murchison or anywhere in the South Island and even extreme heli-boating on the West Coast of the South Island. Members can post their intentions on the website and get other people to join their trip. Beginners are MORE than welcome to organise private trips but the UCCC would encourage bribing an adequate instructor to come along as safe water practice is very important.

The UCCC runs five main events each year, they are great so get hold of someone and ensure you have a spot on the course! Numbers are limited so make sure you are in or you might miss out!

FOR BEGINNERS or those getting back into it after a dry spell we have our Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking Course, which is known as Combos - Combos is designed for the complete beginner and is the best chance to get some intensive time on the water. We provide a pool session, a flat-water session, a surf session and an overnight river trip all within one week. The pool, flat-water and surf sessions are held in late afternoons to avoid clashes with class and work and the river trip is on the weekend. Combos helps develop the basic skills for river kayaking, educates you in river safety and most importantly! ALWAYS leaves those who have done it with a huge smile! The course usually costs about $100, which includes gear hire (boat, paddle, deck, helmet, buoyancy vest), travel throughout the week and usually food and beverages at a BBQ at the end of the Combos week.

BRUNNER - Social! this trips is based on being social. This is an annual trip, usually the second weekend after the April break, and definitely not a trip to be missed. A bus trip through Arthurs Pass to the West Coast of New Zealand, staying in a lodge over-looking Lake Kaniere, a flat water session, two river trips and plenty of socialising. In the past there have been Brunner Olympics, Lake Kaniere Hydro Games and many other legendary events. This course usually costs $120-$150 dollars and is worth every single cent. This covers chartering a bus and driver, gear hire, lodge rental, gear rental from the great Westland High School, some food and beverages. This year there is 44 seats or which about 10 will be reserved from instructors, and if combos is anything to go by the remaining 34 seats will be claimed fast so get hold of Brian Urmson (Social Officer) as soon as possible and get your money to him as first MONEY in, first served.

WHITE-WATER WEEK - Well the name pretty much sums this trip up. A full week, or part of if you cannot make the whole week, of kayaking, camping and pretty much having an awesome time in Murchison. This trip CAN and DOES cater for complete beginners, yes it would of helped if you had done combos and you will be interrogated for a reason why you did not do combos, and we encourage anyone and everyone to come on this trip. Everyone who comes on this trip will have a great time and will increase their kayaking ability. This year the course will run over the last week of the April Holidays - Saturday the 17th of April until Sunday 25th of April with the option of leaving a bit earlier. The cost is around $180, which includes travel to, from and around Murchison, one weeks gear hire, camping, pool sessions and other costs. A week of instructed kayaking for $180 is a damn good deal considering you can pay up to $200 a day for a qualified instructor. There is a limited amount of gear for this trip, so again if you don't get in early you do risk not being able to come at all. Call mum, claim course related costs, sell your old PS2 or even get an overdraft this is an awesome trip, the best chance to hone your paddling skills, and is more than worthwhile.

THE AVON PUB CRAWLL - When the weather is good, work loads are low and interest is high you will usually see 10 or more people getting into of floating down the Avon, beer in hand having a great time. This is a annual/biannual or even bi-summer trip that requires little organising but is a great time for all. Gear hire is FREE, the river starts by the gear shed and beer can be as cheap as $10 a doz. So if the forecast is good and you don't have much on keep an eye out for posts as there could be other people in your position or post your plan and enjoy. For the first Avon Crawl this year, be in before or after winter, the theme is the SUN.

CANOE POLO - Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Social and Competitive
- Email James Litchwark (Canoe Polo Officer) and he will let you know more than you want to about Canoe Polo. It is a great sport to keep fit, practice paddle strokes and rolling and just get more time in the water over winter.