Gritt Camps 2023
Our ski and bike camps have been a major success for 2023. We have one more bike camp to go in Nelson on December 2nd and 3rd, read below for more info and to sign up. We look forward to putting on more camps in 2024 so stay tuned for more information. A summary of the 2023 camps can be seen below.
Freeride Ski & Board Camps
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 2023 camps are below, get in fast for sign up.
Gritt Snow Camps for 2023
Overview
Dates:
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Craigieburn – Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd September
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Broken River – Sunday 24th & Monday 25th September
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Mt Olympus – Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th September
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Intro BBQ at Cheeseman - date TBD (late September), open invite
Summary: 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.
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Who’s Eligible: 30+ riders (each camp, 90+ 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.
Price: $200 for both days – Please note we have allocated 2 free spots per camp for riders who require financial assistance. Please contact us directly to apply for these spots.
Lift Passes: 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 the T-bars at Cheeseman for a sunny spring day before or after the Olympus camp.
Sign up here
Main Coaches
Craig Murray:
With wins on the Freeride World Tour, a nomination for Freeskier of the Year for his part in Matchstick Productions' 2022 film, and big mountaineering lines, Craig is a great example for how to be an all around freeride athlete.
Jess Hotter:
First kiwi to be overall Freeride World Tour champion, standout performances in film parts from Blank, and continuously pushing herself to learn and progress on skis, Jess is a role model for putting in hard work and passionate about kiwi skiing.
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.
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.
Nick Pascoe:
From a competitive skiing and kayaking background, now focusing on the adventure side of sports through backcountry skiing and whitewater kayaking, Nick has a passion for creative expeditions that combine a range of technical and endurance skills, and for getting more people into the outdoors.
Konsti Ottner:
The local from Innsbruck has spent time on the Freeride World Tour and now spends as much time skiing in remote mountain ranges around the world as in his own backyard.
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Thank you to:
- The Clubbies: Mt Olympus, Broken River, Craigieburn
- Matt - Dropping Inn
- Inspire Foundation
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 plan to put on two camps in 2023. Camp one was in April at the Christchurch Adventure Park (details below), and camp two will be in Nelson on December 2nd and 3rd.
Camp 2 - Nelson Mentoring & Coaching weekend
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.
Overview
Dates: Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd of December 2023 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: $260 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.
Summary: 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. The price includes one shuttle per day at Cable Bay, and lunch each day.
Main Coaches
Charlie Murray:
A professional rider for Specialized Enduro, Charlie is the current Trophy of Nations World Champion and current Enduro National Champion. He has a background in coaching and enjoys passing on knowledge to other riders.
Sam Gale:
A 2x Hardline competitor and current NZ DH series champion Sam Gale is one of NZ’s best when it comes to DH racing and style on a bike. Sam loves spending time with the younger generation and helping people improve their race craft.
Craig Oliver:
Craig is a highly accoladed coach and XC legend. He has wins to his name throughout NZ and more coaching experience than you can wave a stick at. Craig knows exactly how to help people develop their skills and have fun while doing it.
Craig Murray:
Dual sport pro, Craig is a seasoned competitor on the Freeride World Tour for big mountain skiing, and also competes in the Enduro World Cups. He has an incredible all around skillset and the best attitude in the game.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday – 2nd 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 – 3rd 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:
- Brendan - Best Build Construction
- Matt - Dropping Inn
- Caleb - Specialized NZ
Camp 1 Recap- Christchurch Adventure Park, April 2023
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.
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Overview
Dates: Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd of April 2023 at Christchurch 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.
Main Coaches
Charlie Murray:
A professional rider for Specialized Enduro, Charlie is the current Trophy of Nations World Champion and current Enduro National Champion. He has a background in coaching and enjoys passing on knowledge to other riders.
Sam Gale:
A 2x Hardline competitor and current NZ DH series champion Sam Gale is one of NZ’s best when it comes to DH racing and style on a bike. Sam loves spending time with the younger generation and helping people improve their race craft.
Craig Oliver:
Craig is a highly accoladed coach and XC legend. He has wins to his name throughout NZ and more coaching experience than you can wave a stick at. Craig knows exactly how to help people develop their skills and have fun while doing it.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday – 22nd April
9am Meet and Greet at CAP Café
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 – 23rd April
9am Meet at CAP
9am – 12pm Morning Riding Session
12pm – 1pm Lunch
1pm – 3:30pm Afternoon Riding Session
4pm – Farewell
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All spots are now full. Thank you to everyone who has signed up!
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This camp wouldn't be possible without the support of some great people and businesses.
​
Thank you to:
- Brendan - Best Build Construction
- Matt - Dropping Inn
- Caleb - Specialized NZ
- Anne & Mike - Christchurch Adventure Park
