PYCC

Hey All!!
Good news. It`s soon going to be time to get out on the river regularly again. We start MONDAY CLUBNIGHTS the first Monday of the summer school term APRIL 16th..
It`s been a weird whitewater winter (www.)! Desperately cold at times and desperately low on water in the rivers. This meant that we had to cancel the February whitewater trip. Hurley weir has been shut virtually all winter, but Abingdon, normally a springtime weir, has been open. Chyavan and Lenny passed their Olympic course assessment and have been struttin` it on open sessions before it closes for the Olympic preparations at Easter. Just hope it rains a bit to keep other rivers and weirs running.
We were, however able to get on the first whitewater river since the November Dartmoor trip on 24/25th March at the Dee River Festival at Llangollen North Wales. Tom Tom, Josh, Charlie and Tom Marsh all went up for the weekend staying in a “yurt”.We ran the Dee on the Saturday including an “interesting” Town Falls and Serpent`s Tail Rapid which I think were more difficult at the low levels. The Saturday Evening we went to the “Talk Battle” Event” and on Sunday went over to Bala to run the Tryweryn.
We`ve got lots of things planned for the Spring and Summer and we will try and add things to the programme, time permitting. If there are any ideas that you have, talk to Chyavan, who is the members rep on the committee, or myself.
This is a list of upcoming events. If you are interested in any please let me know as far in advance as you can, so that I know whether we have a viable number and can think about transport arrangements.
I will be running a BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue Course during the summer, let me know if you`re interested. Also if you are interested in doing your 2 Star let me know.
Just to remind you here are the PYCC Committee members
Chairman Dave Surman
Secretary Andy Newell
Treasurer Dave Hodgkinson
Members Rep Chyavan Rees
Committee Allen Stacey
Tom Wolstenholme
Jen Clough
Joe Callard
Seth Townley PLEASE complete the PYCC membership form enclosed (or download one from the website) , complete and bring along to the first session or send to me. Membership renewal is FREE but we need it completed it each year not only to ensure we have correct contact details but also to cover us insurance wise, so DO IT, huh? Thanxabunch

Tom`s going to be in Israel `til the end of June but will be back in time for The Tryweryn and other freestyle and river stuff strutting experiences. We also hope to add other events, maybe an open boat trip or another river trip.
Finally I`d like to thank you all for contributing to my surprise presents when I got back from Ecuador. I was really knocked out by them a Bruce Springsteen ticket, a PYCC personalized hoody and a tea shoppe book!! Thank you all. It really was appreciated.

Comin`Up!!
March 29th Thursday. Final Pool Session. 8-9.30pm.

April 2/3/4/5 Daytime Vale Beginner`s Course. Contact Vale District Council Leisure on 01235 547646
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MONDAY APRIL 16th
Every Monday 6.15-9.00pm Club night on the river. Starts APRIL 16h with the Ock descent (water permitting)

SUNDAY 22ND APRIL SYMOND`S YAT or RIVER TEME DAY TRIP
Suitable for experienced and first time whitewaterers!! Parents and drivers welcome.

SUNDAY 29TH APRIL NENE WHITEWATER CENTRE NORTHAMPTON
Suitable for experienced and first time whitewaterers!!

SATURDAY 12th MAY ABINGDON BLASTATHON AND BYO BBQ AT THE CLUB. The date has been moved forward from June as we are so desperately short of water that we want to hold the event before Abingdon Weir closes down completely. If you`re happy to blast in Abingdon Weir come along n take part in the U.18 fun even (met at the club at 4pm). If you`d prefer to watch, the action starts at the weir about 5pm. Afterwards BYO BBQ.
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SUNDAY 13TH MAY ABINGDON DRAGON BOAT DAY
Come along and help on the PYCC/KCC Stand

SUNDAY 27th MAY NENE YOUTH FREESTYLE UK SERIES.(Northampton) Speak to Chyavan chyavan@reesathome.co.uk

TUESDAY JUNE 12TH BEGINNER`S COURSE STARTS 6.30pm

SATURDAY 16TH JUNE BCU FOUNDATION SAFETY AND RESCUE COURSE
Min age 14 for this BCU certificated course to be run from the club.. £8 to members. Maximum number 6. Need to book with me by 14th May. Minimum number needed or course will be cancelled

SATURDAY/ SUNDAY 7/8th JULY RIVER TRYWERYN WEEKEND NORTH WALES. (date to be confirmed) Easier and harder sections of whitewater on this dam release river Suitable for those who have paddled some whitewater. We will match sections to people`s experience. Camping and barbequeing.

SATURDAY 14TH JULY BOULTERS WEIR MAIDENHEAD YOUTH FREESTYLE UK SERIES. Speak to Chyavan or Tom W.

SATURDAY 21ST –THURSDAY 26TH JULY ALPINE TRIP TO FRANCE

Vale Summer (August) Beginner`s Courses dates to be announced.

1. THIS WED Ecuador Extravaganza Presentation Dave Surman/Andy Newell Wed 22nd February Abbey Sailing Club Wilsham Rd 8pm. See below. Parents Friends
welcome
2  THURSDAY Pool Session – 8pm till 9.30pm. £5 each
3  Dee River Festival North Wales Sat/Sun Mar 24/25th. See below for details. I`ve had no interest for this from pycc as yet. I can extend the deadline until next Sunday but I
must know by then so I can book the bunkhouse. speak to me or email if interested. I will need £15 for one night`s bunkhouse and breakfast.

DEE RIVER FESTIVAL, North Wales
Saturday/Sunday March 24/25th.
It`s been a difficult year to arrange winter whitewater trips, low water with some desperately cold weather at times. The River Dee at Llangollen North Wales holds its water longer  than others in the area and is one of the classics with it`s two main rapids serpent`s Tail and town Falls.This is the first year of this event. There are whitewater adventure talks on the Saturday night in the Whitewater Hotel.
If there is interest we can arrange to go to this. Cost would be £15.00 for one night`s bunkhouse accommodation including breakfast at Tyn Dwyr Outdoor Centre (Lenny, Dan and Chyavan stayed there before on the WWSR weekend couple of years ago) + share of fuel and eating costs. Sat night talk is £5.
We do however, need to book and pay for the accommodation in advance. I have made a provisional booking but need to pay up front to confirm it. If you would like to come please send me a cheque or give me cash. This is preferable to a bank transfer but if you want to do this please contact me and i will give you details. I will need the £15.00 by SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY so that I can confirm the booking. If we don`t have the minimum number by then I shall cancell the booking.
You will need to have paddled some whitewater before. Speak to me if you want to know if it is suitable.
www.deeriverfestival.co.uk

Wednesday February 22nd at Abbey Sailing Club 8pm
Presentation Dave Surman and Andy Newell
Bar. Adults £5. U18s £3 . After clubroom hire any money will go to help support PYCC alpine trip. All welcome

January 2012!!

Hi Everyone
I`ve been back in the country a week now and am busy picking up the pieces of where I left off at the end of November!! Purpose of this newsletter is to remind everybody of things coming up in the next few months.

First of all I gather the Christmas Evening at the Sailing club went well with vids and food. Thanks to Chyavan and Joe for organising that. Also back in November Henry, Charlie, Tom and Aiden had a good weekend on Dartmoor, paddlingthe Dart Loop section and the Lower Walkham and Lower Tavy With myself, Steve Bates and Pete.
Also thanks to everyone who lodged an objection with the Environment Agency to the Abingdon Weir Hydro Scheme. As a result of this the EA have said that they will not grant a licence to the scheme unless there is an agreement between the canoeists and the scheme.
Chyavan has had a few bits published in Canoe KayakUK, edited by our very own Seth Townley. Tom Wolstenholme is back from the Phillipines but is just about to go out to Uganda for three wekks padding the Nile. He`ll be back in time for the PYCC Spring season.

What`s Coming Up ?

Pool sessions for the New Year Thursdays 8.00-9.30 Convent Swimming Pool
Jan 12, Feb 2, Feb 23, Mar 29.

Tuesday January 24th DEBS PINNIGER –ZANSKAR GRAND CANYON OF INDIA. Presentation by Debs (twice world freestyle champion and expedition kayaker on last summer`s youth expedition to the Zanskar) See attached Flyer.
8pm ABBEY SAILING CLUB, WILSHAM Rd. Family and friends welcome.
Admission £5, Under 18s £3. Bar Open
This event is being advertised to PYCC, KCC and other local canoe clubs. All are welcome. We need to cover our costs on this one so please come along if you can.
Harry Quigley (ex PYCC) was on this expedition last summer.
We hope to run a couple more presentations in the next couple of months if this is succesful

Sat Feb 4th OR Sun Feb 5th WHITE WATER RIVER DAY TRIP.
Location dependent on water and weather conditions, probably mid Wales. Winter river trip conditions apply. Speak to me now if you are interested.

Future Dates (tbc)
W/C April 2nd Vale Easter Beginners Course Daytimes Easter Holidays
Mon April 16th Monday nights start on river.
Sun 13th May Dragon Boat Day
July 21-26th Possible Alpine Trip
Dates to be added Nene WWC, Tryweryn Weekend N.Wales, Teme trip Ludlow, FSRT course + loads more.

See you soon
Dave Surman

DEBS PINNIGER (Twice World Freestyle Champion and Internationally known Expedition boater) and widely acclaimed photographer, presents…

THE ZANSKAR GRAND CANYON OF INDIA
A presentation of last summer’s British Youth Expedition
Abbey Sailing Club Wilsham Rd. Abingdon
8pm TUESDAY 24TH JANUARY
Admission £5 Bar.

In response to the interest shown at the AGM I have booked Debs Pinniger for this event who will be travelling up from the West Country especially. As you will appreciate there is considerable financial outlay in this evening . We need at least 30 people just to break even. We will advertise this at Pathfinders, Riverside and other local canoeing organisations but we do need your
support. We hope to provide other presentations through out the winter.
Dave Surman

Henry, Charlie, Aidan and Tom accompanied by myself and Steve Bates and Pete, just back from a marathon trip to Dartmoor rivers over the weekend – 500 miles and three whitewater rivers in two days! I need my bed!

Sat/Sun Nov 5/6th Dartmoor Rivers. I need to know now if you want to come. Some ww experience needed.

Sat Nov 12th at Riverside Centre Oxford. Lasher Dash.Please see attached handout. Lasher dash handout Contact Jen if interested jenweston1@aol.com A Parental Consent form can be downloaded here

Sat Nov 19th Newbury Wavehopper Race. Contact Jen

Pool Sessions for this year. Thurs 8.00 -9.30 Nov 3rd, 17th, Dec 1st. Our Ladys Convent Pool, Radley Rd. Abingdon

I will be running a whitewater river day trip for those with ww experience (probably mid Wales) either in Jan or the first weekend in Feb. More details later.

The news so far….

Loads been a happenin` at PYCC this summer. We`ve had regular high attendances on Monday nights despite the curse of exams precluding attendances from most of the older members til about the second half of June. We`ve run two evening Beginner`s Courses and two Easter holiday courses as well as two star training, a Foundation Safety and Rescue Course. We`ve hit the Ock, the Ditch and Sutton Courtney as well as a great try a boat session and BYO BBQ. Lenny, Joe and Chyavan strutted their stuff at the Blastathon on Abingdon Weir which this year attracted record numbers.

Tripswise we`ve done Symond`s Yat, the Nene as a club trip, the Nene,Youth Freestyle Event, the Tryweryn and we have just come back from a terrific trip out to Slovenia with eight members for some alpine whitewater.

During the last week of the school term we`ve had some taster sessions for a couple of schools and during the summer holidays we have beginner`s courses run for the Vale and South Oxon District Councils. I`d like to really thank all of you who`ve come along to help on the beginner`s courses this year. Isaac, Joe, Chyavan, Tom Marsh, Tom Mathews, Lenny, Charlie, James, Simon, Harry. You`ve made a big difference and made it easier for me.

We`re running Monday nights through the summer holidays, except for the bank holiday, and then for the first three Mondays in September. Summer holiday attendance is often variable due to holiday commitments with a big surge the first week of September when all go back to school. We`re going to have a club photo taken the first Monday in September.

It`s been great to have Tom Wolstenholme along on Monday nights and on the Tryweryn and Nene trips. Tom also coaches some of the GB freestyle paddlers and is a fantastic addition to the club. He`s going to be out of the country as a volunteer on a charity project in Mozambique but will be back with us again, sometime early in the new year.

Chyavanator Fashions did a superb job in Pathfinder merchandizing with the PYCC   T shirts he got together. If you didn`t get one and want one, speak to Chyavan to see what he can do.

Go into W.H.Smith`s and get yourself a copy of CanoeKayakUK. There should be a 150 word report on the recent PYCC Slovenia trip. Myself and Chyavan got to paddle the newly opened Olympic Slalom facility at the Lee Valley in North London. It`s BIIIG, but we survived!! Harry is out in India at the moment paddling the Zanskar Gorge with Debs Pinniger`s Youth Expedition. Hope to get some footage at the Presentation Evening.

Whilst on that subject,it will be good to see as many of you with parents and friends at the (short) AGM 7.30pm which will be followed by the  Presentation Evening 7.30pm on Tuesday 27^th at the Sailing Club.

As I`m writing this Joe and Chyavan are preparing themselves for their mammoth bike ride from Edinburgh to London over 5 sweaty saddle sore days. They`re trying to raise sponsorship for the respite care home Helen and Douglas House. If you haven`t sponsored them already, it`s not too late. You can go to their Just Giving page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/chyavanandjoe

Finally I shall be out of the country myself from the end of November until New Year`s Eve.

EVENTS  A`  COMIN` UP!!

Loads and loads so make a note and let me know if you are interested in any of these or want to ask anything.

AUG

Mon 15 Club night

Mon 22 Club night

Mon 29 (Bank Holiday Club Closed)

SEPT  

Mon 5  Club night +Club photo. Could be a busy night.

Fri 9     KCC/ PYCC/Sailing Club/Rowing Club  6pm at Sailing Club. An informal

Opportunity to try each other`s activities + Bring Your Own Food Barbeque.

Speak to me if you`d like to come along!

Sat 10   Youth Freestyle Event Nottingham (Dave/Tom)

Sun 11 Ock Boatercross/Wavehopper Event and BYO BBQ at club. Meet 2pm

Riverside, KCC and Falcon have been invited. This is a fun event open to all.

We race down the Ock from Drayton Road Bridge to the club in pairs. You

can either do it in a Wavehopper( if you book one early enough with me) or in

a short boat. Everyone can enter. We then have a BYO BBQ at the club Mon

Mon 12 Club night

Sat 17  Symond`s Yat (Glos) Day trip. This is suitable for all club members and a

good introduction to moving water. Subject to transport considerations.

Drivers welcome. Loads of tea shoppes.

Sun 18 Todd Morris Memorial Triathlon. Boatin` Bikin` Runnin from the club`.

Speak to Dave Hodge or myself if interested…

Mon 19 Club night

Tues 27 (Short) AGM followed by 2011 PYCC Presentation Evening

7.30pm Abbey Sailing Club (next door) Wilsham Rd.

Presentations will include PYYC activities and trips over the year as well as

one on Slovenia 2011 and hopefully some footage from India.

All members, parents, friends etc., warmly welcomed.

If any parents would like to stand for election to the committee please let me

know.

OCT

Sun 2  Nene Whitewater Centre,Northampton. A pumped artificial whitewater course.

Suitable for experienced paddlers and also first timers subject to transport and

staffing levels.

Sun 9 Open Boat Trip Oxford –Abingdon. Allen has volunteered to organise this for

anyone interested. Contact Allen directly if interested allenkayak@hotmail.co.uk

Thur 13 First Pool Session. Our Lady`s Convent Pool, Radley Rd. Abingdon.

8.00-9.30. £5 per session.

NOV

Thur 3rd Second Pool session

Sat/Sun 5/6^th  Dartmoor Rivers Weekend.(provisionally Dart and Walkham/Tavy depending on conditions). Leaving early Saturday, staying in bunkhouse, returning Sunday. You will need some whitewater experience for this. Speak to me if interested.

Thur 17^th. Third Pool Session

DEC

Thur 1^st Fourth Pool Session

Think that`s all for now!

Phew!! I gotta get me a tea shoppe!!

Finally a big thanks to everyone that`s helped out and particularly newcomers, Tom and Annabelle who have made a significant contribution over the summer.

WHATZACOMIN` UP?
Here is a summary of upcoming events in addition to the regular Monday night sessions. I will remind people of these on Monday nights but please let me know asap if you are interested in any of these so we can plan transport etc. Also if you are receiving these newsletters and are no longer interested please let me know and I will remove you from the list.

1. SAT JUNE 18th ABINGDON BLASTATHON. Abingdon Weir 5pm. This is a Kingfisher/Pathfinder Event which involves pulling off crazy blasting moves in Abingdon Weir.
If you`re used to  to Abingdon Weir you can enter (meet at  club at 4pm to paddle up or be at the weir by 5).   If you don`t have experience in the weir you may like to come and watch from the weir  walkway from 5-7 approx. There is a BYO BBQ at the club afterwards. Please note that  parking at the clubsite is likely to be a problem so we have arranged to use the sailing      club next door as overflow, by kind permission.

2. MON JUNE 20th Club Night. Vicky will be starting TWO STAR TRAINING SESIONS for those interested on this Monday for four consecutive Mondays. If you are interested please let me
asap. It will involve kayaks and open boats.

3. TUES JUNE 21st BEGINNER`S COURSE. I am running a four session course for anyone interested. If you know anyone interested please get them to contact me at
davidsurman@hotmail.com and/or download the membership form and send to me by post asap. There are spaces at present but it will fill.

4. SUN JUNE 26th PROPOSED REARRANGED SYMOND`S YAT TRIP (Gloucestershire). This is the trip that got “zammed out” a few weeks ago. It is suitable for all club members,
The trip is subject to driver availability and staffing considerations. Parents welcome, loads of handy tea shoppes! Let me know asap if you are interested, can offer or need transport. A
good intro to moving water!

5. SAT/SUN JULY 2/3rd RIVER TRYWERYN, BALA NORTH WALES. This is a dam release whitewater river with sections from grade 2- 4. You will need some whitewater experience for
this trip. According to experience we will put you on the right section of river. We will camp and BBQ on the Saturday night. Several people have expressed interest in this. Myself and
Tom Wolstenholme will be running the trip. I have the following down as definites but  unfortunately the normallly efficient administrative machine @ Surmanator Towers seems to
have faltered on this one, so please let me know if you are not on the list and would like to be or vice versa so we can start to arrange transport etc. Cost will be fuel contribution and
camping, BBQ and eating/drinking costs.
Isaac, Chyavan, Joe, Lenny, Tom Mathews?, Charlie? ++? If I`ve missed you off please let me know.

6. MON JULY 18th BRINGAFAMILYMEMBER to try canoeing/kayaking. The idea is to run a come and try it session for club members and families outside the club, trying different boats
etc. followed by a BYO BBQ @ the club.

WHAT`S BIN A HAPPENIN`?

Loads!!  We`ve had a great trip to the Nene Whitewater Centre at Northampton at the start of May (Isaac, Lenny, Charlie, Josh, Tom Mathews and Henry and Toby). Myself and Tom Wolstenholme took two groups down the course and worked on whitewater moves.          The Symonds Yat trip fell victim to the spread of “zamitis” and has been rescheduled (see above). Wicked Zams though were unable to destroy the KCC/PYCC Stand at the Dragon Boat Day where Joe and Charlie came along and helped out all day. Big success.

The following weekend Charlie, Tom Marsh, Ed S, Tom Mathews and Henry all successfully completed the BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue Training Day myself and Allen ran at the club. Well done y`all!!

Chyavan, Lenny and Charlie went to the UK Youth Freestyle Series Event at the Nene at the end of May. Lenny and Chyavan both did really well coming 11^th in their respective age groups with 120 and 110 points respectively. This was pretty good considering the top paddlers in their classes were Sponsored GB team members. Pictures from this should be in the Trasher latest edition (see above) We also merited a few lines in the Abingdon Herald!! Charlie held his own in the Novice Class where points were awarded for outrageous fun moves! The next event is on Boulters Weir on July 9th.

Myself, Joe and Harry, along with a number of Kingfishers, went to try out the new Cardiff artificial whitewater course, which was impressive. Quite a step up from the Nene though!

Congratulations to Seth Townley (Ex PYCC) who has just been appointed as Assistant Editor at Canoe KayakUK. We now have a man in the media!!

All is set for the PYCC TRIP( Pathfinder Kajak Slovenski)  to the Slovenian Alps the first week of the summer holidays. Myself, Seth Townley, Paul Moore and James Crask go out on 25^th July with Pathfinder members Joe, Chyavan, George, Henry, Isaac, Tom, Josh, Charlie.

PATHFINDER MERCHANDISING!!
Chyavan has designed and sourced a  Pathfinders T Shirt which will sell for £8. He will shortly be sending out an email with the design. If you want one you will need to pay him £8 by the date he sets. He will then order and they should be with you a fortnight later.

Thanks Chyavan for organising this. Any questions contact  chyavan@yahoo.co.uk

PYCC BEGINNER`S COURSE
In addition to the Tuesday evening Beginner`s Course mentioned above I will be running some Beginner`s Courses during the school summer holidays daytimes. These will be week commencing Aug 8th. These are bookable though the Vale District Council and always fill up. If you know people interested contact number is 01235 540379