PYCC

Hey Everybody!! Lot`s been happening this summer and it seems like the weather`s warming up. We kicked off the season with three of us going to Stratford on Avon for theWavehopper race and somehow managing to come away with four medals! Monday nights have been well attended despite exam pressures. We have explored the Ock, Sutton Courtney and Abingdon weirs, Swift Ditch and everybody is getting the opportunity to paddle open boats as well as kayaks. Dan and Joe helped out at our stand at the Dragon Boat Day which is a good way of getting publicity for the club. We ran a day trip to Symonds Yat and a day trip to the Nene Whitewater Centre at Northampton in May which was great for experienced and first timers. In July we went to the dam release Tryweryn river at Bala in North Wales with Joe, Chyavan, Lenny and George. All did really well on a more challenging whitewater river.

Some of the most exciting news is that we are now taking delivery of the boats and equipment we have been able to buy with our award from the National Lottery funded Awards for All scheme. We are buying Z.Ones which are the brand new models from Pyranha in two different sizes as well as two Dagger Dynamos for smaller paddlers. We are also replacing paddles, buoyancy, helmets and associated safety equipment. We also hope to provide some funding for staff and member training. As part of the conditions of the Award we have to publicize it and recently we had spreads in the Oxford Mail and Herald with photos of Dan, Joe and myself with some of the old equipment. I also had a short interview on Radio Oxford. There is a new publicity card coming out advertising Watersports in the Vale. The main picture features Joe and Chyavan paddling down Swift Ditch. Keep an eye out for it!!

Loads more things coming up including the Vale Watersports Taster Day on Saturday July 11th. This is being run by the Vale Watersports forum which consists of Pathfinders, Kingfisher Canoe Clubs, Abbey Sailing Club, Abingdon Rowing Club. The purpose of this is to allow the general public to try these activities but also to allow members of the clubs to try the other club`s activities. You are welcome to come along to help and to try some of the other club`s activities. Please note if you are UNDER 18 you must bring the attached form SIGNED by a parent if you would like to try the other club`s activities. For insurance reasons you will not be able to participate unless you bring this form even though you are a member of Pathfinders. A small group of us are off to paddle in Slovenia this summer and there are a number of other day trips lined up.

COMING UP!!

MON 29 JUNE Club Paddling

MON 6 JULY Club Paddling. Beginners join

THURS 9 JULY Team Slovenia WW safety session 6pm at club

SAT 11 JULY ABINGDON WATERSPORTS TASTER DAY 10-3 at club. See above for details.

MON 13 JULY Club Ock Boatercross/Wavehopper Race. 6.15 at club to shuttle boats by car to Drayton Rd. Volunteers needed for shuttling, timing BBQ lighting etc. Followed by Bring your own Food and Drink Barbeque at the club. We provide the charcoal, you bring everything else.

THURS 16 JULY Team Slovenia Pre trip meeting 7pm Abbey Sailing Club

SUN 19 –THUR 23 JULY Slovenia trip

MON 20 JULY Club Paddling

MON 27 JULY Club Paddling

MON 3 AUG CLUB CLOSED

MON 10 AUG CLUB CLOSED

MON 17 AUG Club Paddling

SUN 23 AUG Nene Whitewater Centre Northampton. Course fee £9 + fuel contribution. Suitable for all club members. I need to know numbers and whether you need or can offer a lift by previous Tuesday.

MON 24 AUG Club Paddling

TUES 24 – 28 AUG (daytimes)Beginner`s Courses. Bookable through Vale Sports Development on 01235 547646

MON 31 AUG (B. Hol) CLUB CLOSED

MON 7 SEPT Club Paddling

SUN 13 SEPT Todd Morris Memorial Triathlon.Event with KCC involving, boating biking, running.

MON 14 SEPT Club Paddling

SUN 20 SEPT Ock Boatercross/Wavehopper Event and BYO BBQ. Pathfinders V Kingfisher V Riverside. Club hut 2pm

MON 21 SEPT Club Paddling

More to come. Pool sessions, River Dart and other winter white water and weir trips and lots more!! Tryweryn and Nene possibilities. We are also hoping to arrange Foundation Rescue and Safety Courses for Members as well as a First Aid Course and an end of summer season get together. All the above dates are provisional. Particularly Monday evenings in August due to holiday commitments. You may like to check with us nearer the time.

It`s warming up and we`ll soon be back on the river on Monday nights!! Hope y`all enjoyed the snow. I tried some snowboatin down the slope at Blenheim Palace, radical kayak use, huh? The winter paddling posse have had some good whitewater trips. We have paddled the Rivers Dart and Walkham in Devon, the Sawdde (pronounced Sawthee) Gorge and River Usk in South Wales and we have had good turnouts at the pool sessions. Here are` some of the things lined up already for the summer season. We`re keen to know your thoughts and the sort of things you would like to do too. Joe Callard is your member`s rep on the committee so you can either speak to him and/or one of us with your ideas.

We have a number of events and trips lined up and in addition to normal monday night activities  we will be working on two and three star for those of you who are interested. This will involve some time in open boats as well as kayaks.

We start back on the river on Monday 27^th APRIL meeting at 6.15pm. We usually start the season with a shuttle to the top of the Ock and run down it back to the club in time for a short AGM to elect the committee and to talk about the upcoming season. It would be good to see everybody there and parents are very welcome.

We have an event on the Saturday before this, so if you are interested you will need to phone me before 30^th March or after 20^th April.

I am “outta town” between 30^th March and 20^th April.

SATURDAY APRIL 25^th WAVEHOPPER SERIES AT STRATFORD UPON AVON.

This event is a short course flat water except for one slidey weir, similar to Ock /Swift Ditch Weir. Many of you have had a go in Wavehoppers. I will run a short practice session for people who would like a little more practice or who are first timers on the previous THURSDAY APRIL 23rd at 6.15. However if you are interested in these I must know in advance. You need to phone or email me by Tueday 21^st or it won`t happen.

MONDAY NIGHTS BEGIN APRIL 27^th

Arrive 6.15 prompt

AGM 8.30. All welcome, paddlers and parents.

MONDAY MAY 4^th (Bank Holiday) DAY TRIP TO RIVER TEME, LUDLOW,HERFORDSHIRE(water levels permitting)

This is suitable for all club members and is a great first whitewater river trip.

I need to know by the previous Tuesday whether you would like to come and whether you need or can offer transport. Parents are welcome to come. Plenty of nice tea shoppes in Ludlow! Club equipment can be used and I will try to coordinate lifts etc. Cost fuel contribution.

SUNDAY MAY 10^th DRAGON BOAT DAY ABINGDON

This event is held on Rye Meadow and PYCC /KCC always have a stand to display what we do and recruit for beginner`s courses. Come along and help/visit us. Bring along something to throw on the barbeque about lunchtime. Let me know if you would like to help.

SUNDAY MAY 17^th DAY TRIP TO NENE WHITEWATER CENTRE NORTHAMPTON (provisional)

This artificial course is great for developing whitewater skills. I need to know numbers etc by previous Tuesday.

Cost Course fee + fuel contribution.

PYCC BEGINNER`S COURSE STARTS TUESDAY JUNE 2^nd (runs for 5 Tuesdays inclusive)

We like all new members to either be at around one star standard or to have done our beginner`s course. So if you know anyone who may like to do this please tell them NOW so that they can get their application in early. Get a form from myself or Vicky (hopefully you should also be able to download it from www.pycc.wordpress.com also) and return it to Vicky with the course fee. They should circle Beginner`s Course on the form and get it in as soon as possible, as when the publicity goes into the schools the course always fills.

SATURDAY JUNE 13^th  ABINGDON BLASTATHON

If you`re into blasting in Abingdon Weir enter this unique wacky event or come along and watch.

4pm at the club to paddle up or 5pm at the weir to watch.

SAT/SUN 20/21^st JUNE  RIVER TRYWERYN BALA, NORTH WALES

This is a grade 2/3/4 dam release whitewater river. You will need some whitewater experience for this. There are easier and harder sections.

We will be camping on the Saturday night. Speak to me if interested.

All the above trips are subject to suitable water conditions, transport arrangements and staffing so advance booking is essential or the trip will not happen. You will also need to have a completed trip consent form signed by your parents. These are available from me or should be downloadable from the website.

UK YOUTH FREESTYLE SERIES

There are 5 events organised throughout the summer. Joe and Harry came to last year`s event at the Nene. The day includes coaching by freestyle coaches and a small competition. There are events at the Nene on Sunday 14^th June and Boulters Weir on July 11^th that we may be able to go to.

OTHER EVENTS etc.

There are a number of other possible activities/events that we may be able to slot in as the season progresses.

In preparation for the start of summer paddling, the PYCC website is in the process of being updated. Check back soon to find out what’s going on this season and why this is going to be the most exciting year for PYCC ever!

Dave H

On behalf of Kingfisher and Pathfinders Dave Surman has arranged some KAYAKING PRESENTATIONS at STEVENTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, Milton Lane (alongside village green) for November and December. Kayakers, families and friends are all welcome. 8pm. Bar open. Donation £2.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 23rd – TOWNLEY`S TRAVELS with Seth Townley

Five months in Asia, paddling, trekking n hangin` out!! Wherever Seth went instability followed, King deposed in Nepal, earthquakes in China!! Hmmm could there be a connection?

On behalf of Kingfisher and Pathfinders Dave Surman has arranged some KAYAKING PRESENTATIONS at STEVENTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, Milton Lane (alongside village green) for November and December. Kayakers, families and friends are all welcome. 8pm. Bar open. Donation £2

TUESDAY NOV 25th – PADDLING IN COSTA RICA with Dave Surman, Lucille Savin, Fred Wondre

Scarey snakes, two toed sloths, horse shuttles, broken boats, a dislocated thumb oh yes and some wild ‘n’ wacky rivers.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 23rd – TOWNLEY`S TRAVELS with Seth Townley

Five months in Asia, paddling, trekking n hangin` out!! Wherever Seth went instability followed, King deposed in Nepal, earthquakes in China!! Hmmm could there be a connection?

The annual club photo is below, click on it for a larger version.

If you’d like a full size copy e-mail Dave Surman.