River Crossing Course October 20, 2025
This is a one-day river crossing course.
Completing a one-day river crossing course with OENZ is a great way to upskill and ensure your safety before you head on your next big adventure. Rivers are one of the greatest hazards in New Zealand’s backcountry and claim lives every year! They are dynamic and pose a serious risk to the untrained.
“There are, on average, about four river crossing deaths each year. Of these accidents, most occur in flooded rivers or side streams.” (Bushcraft Manual Fourth edition. Mountain Safety Council, 2006)
PRICE $299* (MINIMUM AGE 16 YEARS)
Youth Price $179** (14-15 years, accompanied by an adult)
Ask about our Family Friendly courses for ages less than 14 years.
* This is the early bird booking price, standard rates are available on the course calendar.
**Conditions apply for youth pricing structure. See FAQ’s page.
COURSE LOCATION
The course is delivered at Canterburys Waimakariri River, meeting at the Mount White Bridge (approx 1.5hr drive from Christchurch). If the Waimakariri River is in a high flow, then we use the Hawden River as a smaller contributary.
For people interested in a river crossing course closer to Christchurch, please contact us for a private booking.
ACCOMMODATION
This is a one-day course and does not include overnight accommodation. Please see our FAQ’s page for recommended accommodation options for those travelling outside of Christchurch.
GEAR & EQUIPMENT
All you will need for this course is waterproof boots, a tramping pack and normal outdoor clothing. We will supply all the necessary equipment for you if you don’t have your own. You can find a packing list and course outline at the bottom of this page.
FOOD
Food is not provided on this course. We recommend packing plenty of snacks and lunches that do not require cooking.
TRANSPORT
Transport is not included in this course.
We may have a vehicle travelling up to Arthurs Pass on the morning of the river crossing course. If we do, you’re more than welcome to catch a ride with us. But, please contact the office before booking to find out if transport to and from this course is available.
Meeting locations
- Arthurs Pass Cafe and Store 8:30 am (see on google maps)
- Mt White Bridge 9:00 am (see on google maps)
TRAVELLING FROM OUT OF TOWN?
We recommend that you arrive in Christchurch the day before your course runs. If you would like us to transfer you to the course location you will need to book through the office. At the end of the course, we are more than happy to drop you back at your accommodation or directly to the airport. The earliest time we can have you back at the airport is 6 pm.
THIS RIVER CROSSING COURSE INCLUDES
Risk Assessment
- Assessment and identification of hazards
- Hazard management
- River characteristics & features
- Decision making
River Crossing
- River crossing principles
- Identifying safe entry and exit points
- River crossing methods
- Backing out
- Using poles for support
Rescues:
- Recovery swim
- Pack float
- Throw bag techniques
- How to manage an injured, wet person until external help arrives
COURSE DOWNLOADS
Notes
The ability to swim confidently is not a pre-requisite of this course. However, if participants are not confident swimmers, they should advise their instructors of this on registration.
*A minimum of 4 participants is required for the course to run.
See what our clients have to say
“I feel we had good time to go through everything and feel much more confident in crossing rivers” – Clare Ross
” An excellent river course, exactly what I was looking” – John Andrews
“My Wife and I have done two courses and it has been really helpful. We’ve done the two day navigation course and the River Crossing Course. Both courses have been customised To our needs so we couldn’t have asked for better service. We will be well prepared for our adventures to come. Highly recommend them. And thank you in advance for saving our lives crossing dangerous rivers”
