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Gritt x POC Backcountry Safety Camp
3 day avalanche safety course for freeride kids
What is it?
Thanks to our partners at POC we’re excited to announce a brand new Gritt camp focused on avalanche education with a freeride focus. Kids attending (aged 15 - 18) will achieve their ASC1 certificate, learn specific freeride safety skills from experienced mountain guides, and put them into practice alongside our professional Gritt coaches. The idea comes from a growing need to equip the next generation of freeriders with the knowledge and decision-making skills to safely ride bigger terrain.
Why is the camp different to other courses?
We want to help kids pushing their freeride skills be safer in the mountains. Kids will get to ski with athletes and guides they look up to, learn more specific freeride safety info, hear personal stories from guides and coaches on their approach to riding in the mountains, and learn more through skiing than in a standard course. While spots are limited in this first year, thanks to POC Sports we’ve been able to subsidise the cost with the aim of making backcountry education more attainable.
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Key info
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Date: July 20th to 22nd, 2024
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Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
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Location: Craigieburn Ski Area and surrounding backcountry (backup location Mt Hutt)
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Attendees: 8 kids
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Guides: 2 guides from Alpine Guides
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Athletes/coaches: Kenji Boekholt and Jess Hotter
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Accommodation: TBD
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Price: $250 each, including accommodation and food
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Itinerary
Day 1: ASC 1 content on snow with Alpine Guides
Night 1: Intro to advanced freeride and avalanche safety
Day 2: ASC 1 content on snow with Alpine Guides
Night 2: Backcountry freeride skills led by Gritt coaches
Day 3: Backcountry freeride day on snow let by coaches and supported by guides
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How to attend
Due to high demand we don’t think first in first served is the fairest way for kids to attend this camp, so to register your interest to attend please send us a simple application. Selection will be made by Gritt founders, POC staff and Alpine Guides. Please email your answers in a Word document to pascoe.nick.j@gmail.com. This should all be able to fit on one page at a size 11 font. Clear and simple answers are recommended, no need to write us a novel. We're looking forward to reading your applications!
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Applications should cover:
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Name, age and location
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What do you enjoy most about skiing/snowboarding?
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Tell us your plans/goals for your backcountry skiing/riding in the next two years. (NZ, Overseas?, Filming, Touring with friends, Alpine climbing?)
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Have you been ski touring before?
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What is your experience? Tell us about your current backcountry experience (including side country, ie Little Alaska at Olympus, Avalanche at Broken River, Temple Basin in general)?
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What is a challenge you've overcome or problem you've solved while in the mountains (this can be anything, building, hiking, skiing, filming, camping etc)
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Does your family have any financial hardships?
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Why do you want to attend?
In the email to Nick, please attach one photo or video of you shredding!
Winter Freeride Camps Ski & Snowboard
The Gritt team has run youth skiing and snowboarding camps since 2018, based in the rustic Canterbury clubfields. The coaching team is world class, the camps are open access, and any costs are minimised or waived to avoid pricing anyone out. It has reached kids that would otherwise be unsupported. It has also grown the level of freeride skiing in NZ, with two athletes who have participated from the beginning recently competing in the 2023 Freeride Junior World Champs. Our aim is an atmosphere that focuses on fun first, and leaves kids with a smile on their face and new friends to ride with on the mountains. We support that with top quality coaching so they can push their skiing and snowboarding as far as they want. Details of the 2024 camps are below, get in fast for sign up.
Gritt Snow Camps for 2024
Overview
Each camp consists of two days on snow, with a range of world class coaches. We’ll split into smaller groups, and run through different skills including jumps and tricks, hitting cliffs, avalanche awareness, and choosing freeride lines. The focus will be on fun and getting in as much riding as possible. Staying at lodging on the mountain overnight is recommended, and there will be an evening session covering athlete skills such as sponsorship, filming, and safety in the backcountry.
Who’s Eligible
30+ riders (each camp, 60+ total) of high school age (12 – 18) who are interested in progressing their skiing and snowboarding, with a focus on freeride skills. There’ll be coaches for skiing and snowboarding, and ladies and gents.
Dates​​
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Mt Olympus – Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th September
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Broken River – Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd September
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Free Community Day at ÅŒpuke Mt Hutt – Saturday 28th September
Price
$200 for both days – Please note we have allocated 2 free spots per camp for riders who require financial assistance, and that the Community Day at Mt Hutt is free. Please contact us directly to apply for these spots.
Lift Passes and accommodation
Arranged through the ski club.
The fine print
Everyone should be competent riding rope tows themselves, and generally skiing round the clubbies. If you want to just come for a fun BBQ and to ride with the crew we’re planning to head to Mt Hutt for a sunny spring day before or after the Olympus camp.
Main coaches
Craig Murray - With wins on the Freeride World Tour and pushing performance in front of the camera, Craig is a great example for how to be an all around freeride athlete.
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Jamesa Hampton - With two seasons on the Freeride World Tour under his belt and wins on the Freeride World Qualifier series prior to that, Jamesa is a seasoned competitor. He’s not forgetting his roots though, and can’t bear to miss a powder day at the clubbies.
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Kenji Boekholt - A multi talented mountain athlete, Kenji is equally at home in the park, on freeride lines, or mountain guiding. He’s a skilled coach, with lots to share.
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Other coaches to be confirmed.
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Bookings
We're stoked to now be full for 2024, with 30+ kids at both the Mt Olympus and Broken River camps. If you missed out and would like to ride with the crew keep an eye out for info about a fun day up at Cheeseman in spring.
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Thank you to
The Clubbies: Mt Olympus & Broken River
Arc'teryx Aus/NZ
Snowsports NZ
Mt Hutt Ski Area
Matt Laming - Dropping Inn
Inspire Foundation
POC Sports NZ
Atomic Skis
Mountainbike Camps
On the heels of the successful ski and board camps, Charlie Murray is taking the lead on bringing the same coaching model into mountainbiking. Charlie and some of NZ's other top Enduro and DH riders put on two camps in 2023, at Christchurch Adventure Park (highlights below) and Cable Bay in Nelson.
For 2024 an all-star coaching crew is lining up at Cable Bay Adventure Park on December 14th and 15th. Details and sign up link below.
Nelson Bike Camp 2024
Overview​
The camp consists of two days of riding, coaching, and mentoring, focusing on Enduro and DH. There is a morning and afternoon riding session each day with a workshop/talk on Saturday evening about safety, racing, training and media.
Dates
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th of December 2024 at Cable Bay Adventure Park.
Who’s Eligible
30 riders of high school age (12 – 18) who are interested in racing in Enduro and DH.
Price
$200 for both days (limit of 30 riders) – Please note there are 2 spots available to riders struggling for funds. Please contact us directly to apply for these spots.
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What's Included
2 day access to Cable Bay Adventure Park
4 Shuttles (2 each day)
Lunch & snacks each day
Coaching & development sessions delivered from 5 of New Zealand's world class mountain bikers
Main Coaches
Charlie Murray - A professional rider for Specialized Enduro, Charlie was 3rd overall in the 2024 Enduro World Cup. He has a background in coaching and enjoys passing on knowledge to other riders.
Sam Blenkinsop - We're honored to have downhill racing legend Blenki joining the coaching crew at Cable Bay. He brings over 15 years of elite racing experience across DH and enduro formats, and with a family of his own he's an incredible role model.
Ed Masters, Winni Goldsbury & Xanthe Robb
Weekend Schedule
Saturday – 14th Dec
9am Meet and Greet at Cable Bay
9:30am – 12:30pm Morning Riding Session
12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch
1:30pm – 4pm Afternoon Riding Session
4:30pm – 5:30pm Workshop and Question Session
Sunday – 15th Dec
9am Meet at Cable Bay
9am – 12pm Morning Riding Session
12pm – 1pm Lunch
1pm – 3:30pm Afternoon Riding Session
4pm – Farewell
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This camp wouldn't be possible without the support of some great people and businesses.
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Thank you to our Supporters
Caeleb Drummond - Specialized NZ
Cable Bay Adventure Park
Kai Tiaki Te Kura Tawhiti
Community Climbing Event
6th April 24
Ages 12 - 21
Kura Tawhiti - Castle Hill
Gritt presents Kai Tiaki Te Kura Tawhiti, a community climbing event with a difference supported by two principal pillars.
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Pillar One - Kai Tiaki Te Kura Tawhiti (Guardianship of Castle Hill)
The first pillar will provide attendees with a strong understanding of the history associated with the area and the necessity to protect to ensure that future generations can enjoy. This pillar involves:
Education of the area, it’s history, geology and any specific tikanga.
Ethical climbing practices that preserve the rock and surround flora and fauna.
Understanding of existing climbing initiatives that are focused on the betterment of the climbing community and improving access and conservation of climbing areas (ACAT - Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust).
Pillar Two - Learning through Movement:
The second pillar is climbing centric, with a focus on the introduction and development of movement specific to the area. This pillar involves:
Targeted support and coaching for progression and discovery.
Introduction to new styles and areas.
Collaborative learning and discussion.
We are fortunate to have local climbing legends Erica Gatland, Alec McCallum and Matthew Corbishley supporting the camp.
We ask that a donation of $10 is paid by attendees which will be provided to the Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT)
Numbers are limited to 20, with the event running from 9am to 4pm on the 6th of April.
