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.