PYCC

The PYCC pool session on the 4th March has been cancelled. All other dates unaffected.

The leaves are falling and the rain has arrived!! So here`s the winter programme. Keep this in a safe place for future reference.

We finished the summer season with a successful presentation evening in the sailing club, it was great to see a good turn out.

In the new year there are plans to run a First Aid Course and the BCU Foundation and Rescue Course which we hope as many of you as possible will be able to do as it will be subsidised by the money we were awarded by the lottery. There is also some funding available for whitewater safety and Level 1 Coach Training for those eligible.

 Meanwhile here`s whatzacomin` up!! In addition to the events below there may be some short notice weir trips. Also the Hurley Classic Freestyle event is on Sat Nov 21/22 for anyone interested in watching or taking part. I have details.

 THURSDAY NOV.12^th POOL SESSION. Our Lady`s Convent Pool, Radley Rd.

8.00-9.30. Boats provided. If you bring your own it must be clean inside and out.

 SUNDAY NOV 15^th NEWBURY WAVEHOPPER RACE. Meet at the club at 8.45.

Suitable for all that have been in a wavehopper. If you would like a practice session before. Phone me to arrange. I need to know NOW  if you would like to come and whether you need or can offer transport. Entry fee £2.50. Transport fee £5.

 THURSDAY NOV 26^th POOL SESSION

 SAT/SUN NOVEMBER 28/29^th RIVER DART DEVON. Early start Sat morning, overnight Buckfastleigh bunkhouse. Cost £10    + transport fee (tba) +food/drink.

You will need some whitewater experience eg Nene or a river. Speak to me if interested NOW.

 THURSDAY DECEMBER 10^TH POOL SESSION

 THURSDAY DECEMBER 17^th PATHFINDERS CHRISTMAS BOWLING SESSION AND MEAL. Chyavan has once again offered to organise this at The Bowlplex at the Kassam Stadium. Price £14.99  includes a two course meal and the bowling. Chyavan needs definite names and money AS SOON AS POSSIBLE at latest by 30^th November. Contact details in the club newsletter or see him at the pool sessions.

 MONDAY DECEMBER 21^st   (provisional) CHRISTMAS WHITEWATER DAY RIVER TRIP. Water and weather permitting. Location probably Wales, to be confirmed nearer the time.

 HAPPY CHRISTMAS. Ho Ho Ho !!!!

 DATES FOR NEW YEAR POOL SESSIONS Thurs Jan 28^th, Feb 11^th, Mar 4^th.

 Please note for ALL trips away from site you should download a consent form from the website www.pycc.wordpress.com get it signed and bring it along with you. If there is a problem with this please give me a ring before the trip.

 A note on winter whitewater river trips. Unfortunately many of the whitewater rivers in the UK only run during the winter months. The trips depend on suitable water and weather conditions. Conditions may vary, but everyone should be prepared for the cold. Correct equipment is essential, dry tops, long wet suits, thermals are essential. Some people like a pair of pogies to keep the wind off hands or neoprene gloves. Breakfast or at least something to eat before getting on the river is essential and a flask with a warm drink is recommended. The club can provide boats and most equipment as long as we know beforehand. If you`re unsure whether these trips are for you speak to me.

 Dave Surman

Upcoming Pool Sessions
THUR NOV 12th, 26th. DEC 10th, JAN 28th, FEB 11th, MAR 4th.
Convent Pool 8-9.30pm. £5. Pool boats available. If you want to bring your own boat it MUST be washed out beforehand, inside and out. Mud and leaves dont go down well with pool people.
 
Southern Region Wavehopper Race at Waterside Centre Newbury. Registration at SUNDAY NOV 15th. Newbury at 10.00.
Meet at club hut at 8.45am Wavehoppers provided. I need to know by previous Sunday if you would like to come. This is suitable for all members who have had a go in a Wavehopper. If you would like to enter but have not been in a Wavehopper before phone me NOW and we will arrange a practice before. If you need or can offer transport to Newbury please let me know.
 
SAT/SUN NOV 28/29th River Dart Devon. Overnight Buckfastleigh Bunkhouse. Cost £10 +Transport fee (tba) +food and drink. You should have some moving water experience for this trip. Speak to me if you would like to come or would like to know more.
 
STOP PRESS.
Talking to Joe , we discussed reviving the “Scarey cold halloween paddle to the Ock” that we did a couple of years ago. If anyone fancies paddling up to the Ock on a FULL MOON SCAREY PADDLE this Wednesday (4/11) phone me and let me know.
We would meet at the club at 6pm and paddle up to the Ock, shoot the weir and come back.6-7.30pm. You will need full winter kit and preferably a head torch. We can lend wet suits if necessary. It will only happen if you phone me  by 6pm Tuesday evening to say you are coming, otherwise I`ll stay at home by the nice warm fire!!
 
We are also in the middle of arranging opportunities for members to do a First Aid Training Course as well as the BCU Foundation Rescue and Safety Training course. We hope that as many members as can will take these opportunities as we hope to be able to sudsidise them from the lottery funding. We also hope to be able to offer opportunities for older members to do courses such as the WHitewater safety and recue course. More details later in the newsletter.

Hot off the press, we have the dates for the PYCC pool sessions this winter (all Thursday evenings):

• November 12
• November 26
• December 10
• January 28
• February 11
• March 4

Time: 8pm till 9.30pm prompt. In order to keep the caretaker happy, everyone must be clear of the Car Park by 10pm

Cost: £5 per person

Location: Our Lady’s Convent Senior School, Radley Road, Abingdon. Click here for map of swimming pool location

Further pool session rules can be found here

Details of the end of summer presentation evening here:

Presentation Evening Invitation

Details of the Ock boatercross race here:

OCK Boatercross Invitation

Okay, so the summer may be drawing to a close but there`s loads of things to come.

 What`s been happening ?

We`ve had good attendances on Monday nights since April. We`ve also been  running weekend trips to Symond`s Yat, the Nene Whitewater Centre and River Tryweryn in North Wales.

In May,  Dan and Joe helped out at our stand at The Dragon Boat Day from which we recruited for our beginner`s course.                                        

Pathfinders entered the Wavehopper Race at Stratford Upon Avon in April and the three paddlers Joe, Lenny and Charlie somehow managed to come away with four medals! Lenny and Chyavan ripped it up at the Blastathon at Abingdon Weir in June and Chyavan and Dan made their first descent of the Upper Tryweryn.

Isaac, Charlie, Jordan, Aiden, Will and Ed have all worked on their kayaking and also their canoeing!

In July, in conjunction with the Abbey Sailing Club, Abingdon Rowing Club and Kingfisher under the auspices of the Vale Watersports Forum we ran a Watersports Taster Day, which involved 80 participants of all ages from the general public.

We welcomed four new members, Vicky, Jaz, Mia and James. The two Vale Beginner`s courses at the end of August both went really well, so we expect some more new members from these. Thanks to Joe, Dan, Jordan and Charlie for coming along and helping out on these.

Anyone that listened to The Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Oxford on 27th August would have heard an interview with the Rowing Club, Sailing Club and Pathfinders on what`s going on in Abingdon. They interviewed myself and Joe who got to do the first ever kayak cartwheel on radio whilst myself and the presenter tried to describe what was going on!

In July we ran an alpine kayaking trip to the Slovenian Alps where Joe, Harry, Dan, Chyavan and George all did fantastically over the 5 days paddled some brilliant rivers, ate bear and got to experience the joy of easyjetting kayaks and an exciting vehicle breakdown on the Italian /Slovenian border!! More on that later!! We will be running a presentation evening at The Sailing Club next door on the Monday evening 28th September when amongst other things Team Slovenia will be making a presentation.

The other big news from this year is our successful Awards For All Lottery grant. This has enabled us to buy eleven new state of the art boats, light quality paddles, new helmets and buoyancy aids as well as other pieces of equipment.

Assorted news from past Pathfinders? Lee Royle came second in The Ulla Extreme Race in Norway, Seth Townley paddled the Kali Gandaki in Nepal. Look out for the Vale Watersports flyer in your schools, it features Joe and Chyavan paddling down Swift Ditch as the main picture! Also keep a look out for Seth`s article in the upcoming edition of Canoe Focus, the BCU magazine.

So what`s a coming up?

 Here`s the plan!!

 MON  Aug 31st Club closed (Bank Holiday)

 WED Sept 2nd Three Star Training Day. 9.30

 MON Sept 7th Club night

 Sat Sept 12th Two Star Training Day

 Sun Sept 13th Todd Morris Memorial Triathlon Kingfisher/Pathfinders (morning)

                       This is organised by Dave Hodge and involves paddling up to Nag`s

                        Head Island and back, biking mostly off road on tracks to Drayton

                        Rd. and then running a similar distance. It takes about twenty

                        minutes each leg. Speak to Dave Hodge or myself if interested.

                        It is followed by a Bring Your Own BBQ. We provide the charcoal.

 MON Sept 14th Club night

 THUR Sept 17th 6pm Wavehopper familiarization/training session. Try a plastic Whitewater racer and maybe enter Sunday`s race.

SAT Sept 19th Two Star Journey Day 9.30

Sun Sept 20th Ock Boatercross and Wavehopper Race and BYO BBQ “Ockfest 09!”

                       Pathfinders, Kingfisher and Riverside at the club.

MON Sept 21st Club night

 MON Sept 28th End of Summer Club Presentation Evening. In Abbey Sailing

                           Clubroom. 7.30pm. All members , parents and friends welcome.

                           The evening will involve a presentation of what members have

                            been doing over the summer season including a powerpoint and

                            vid from Team Slovenia, a debut of “Pathfinders The Movie”.

SUN Oct 4thNene Whitewater Centre.(Provisional)  

November. Monthly pool sessions start. Thursday evenings at Our Lady`s Convent                       

                             Pool, Radley Rd. Abingdon.   8.00-9.30pm. £5 per session.

                             Dates of sessions are as follows

                             November 12th , 26th

                             December 10th

                             January 28th

                             February 11th

                             March 4th                                 

 SAT/SUN Nov 28/29th River Dart Devon. Overnight Buckfastleigh Bunkhouse.

Coming soon PYCC Christmas Event??

There is also the possibility that we may be able to arrange a one day BCU Rescue and Safety Course (FRST) for the last Saturday or Sunday in September (Sept 26 or 27th) but we need to have a firm commitment from 6 people if this is to go ahead. Vicky is coordinating this so if you are interested contact her on 01235 769675 or pathfinderssecretary@live.com  NOW, at the very latest by Mon Sept 7th.

For all these events you need to let me know IN ADVANCE if you are interested, either by phone 01865 373115 or email davidsurman@hotmail.com

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