Education

Josh Neilson (Southern Underground Productions) is touring his latest extreme sport documentary Transcendance featuring Mike Abbott (whitewater kayaker), William Trubridge (freediver), Vanessa Quin (downhill mountain biker), Jokke Somer (wingsuit base jumper). This documentary offers an insight into the extreme sports experience backed by the research of Dr Eric Brymer.

Waiariki Academy of Sport, at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua are offering scholarships for their Kayak/Waka Squad 2011. Study at Waiariki, and train on the world-class rivers and lakes in Rotorua, New Zealand Technical training and coaching support. Sport science and medicine support provided by Academy of Sport team (NZ preferred providers).

An ambitious proposal for a $60 million artificial whitewater park as part of Stage 2 of the TelstraClear Pacific Events center has been launched. The Counties Manakau Community Trust are seeking expressions of support from the community. The scheme would offer an Olympic quality whitewater course that would also attract school groups and tourists. Sign up to show your support.

Women on Whitewater (WOW) is happening in Murchison on 7-8 March, and at Aniwhenua on 20-22 March. These weekends are a chance for women of all skill levels to come together, learn new skills and generally have heaps of fun paddling together. Contact Alison Kohoutal kohoutal@gmail.com for details.

Clare McLennan says that after the huge success of last years event, Women on Whitewater (WOW) are pleased to announce that there will be two womens' weekends in February. The first event will be held at Murchison on 8-10 February. A couple of weeks later head to the the North Island weekend to be at Mohaka on 23-24th February. These weekends are a chance for women of all skill levels to come together, learn new skills and generally have heaps of fun paddling together.

John Snook advises, In 2008 Waiariki Academy of Sport is offering young kayakers an outstanding opportunity to train in a competitive, knowledgeable environment and receive world-class coaching and support while studying at Waiariki Institute of Technology.

In January 2007 NZRCA Education Officer Matt Barker organised a safety and rescue seminar in Murchison where rescue research was presented to NZOIA Kayak 2 award holders. Rescue course practice was discussed and the current NZRCA safety and rescue syllabi were discussed and suggestions made for changes. The revised course design and syllabi are now available for River Safety and River Rescue courses.

The river safety programme has been such a great success during the latter half of last year that we have spent all of our money from Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) allocated to subsidies. So if you have done a course in the new year or are planning a course please go ahead but we will have to process your subsidy application after March when we apply for new funding from WSNZ to pass on to you.