Please find the details of our 2010 beginners course below or as a downloadable poster here - download 2010 Beginners Course Poster.

BACKGROUND INFO – This course is designed to introduce novices to a range of skills and knowledge required to begin kayaking. The sessions will cover safety, paddle strokes, equipment, capsizing etc.

VENUE – Wilsham Road, Abingdon between the rowing club and sailing club.

DATES - Tuesdays for six weeks starting 11th May until 15th June OR Thursdays for six weeks starting 13th May until 17th June. (Please choose Tuesday or Thursday). Optional 1 star test and club BBQ after both courses.

TIMES – 6.30 pm to 9.00pm approx.

ABILITY – You should be able to swim 50 metres in your clothes, and over 18

EQUIPMENT – Kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid, helmet and spray deck will be provided. Please feel free to bring your own if you have this equipment.

CLOTHING – To kayak in: Neoprene shoes/wet-suit boots (not trainers!), lightweight windproof jacket, tracksuit or thermal trousers (or shorts if warm). Thermal t-shirt, woolly jumper or fleece. YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED TO GET WET IN THESE CLOTHES. Towel and change of clothes.

FACILITIES – NONE – We work from the riverbank, but we do have a toilet.

COACHES – Tuesdays: Louise Royle – BCU L4 Coach & Thursdays: Roger Pass – BCU L2 Coach

COST – £90. This includes membership of KCC until Dec 2010. Please specify which day you are applying for, cheques should be made payable to Kingfisher Canoe Club. Please contact Roger to reserve a place.

CONTACT – Roger Pass Tel: 01235 819856 or 07506836605 or Email roger.pass@eur.crowncork.com

Monthly Meeting - Wed 3rd March 2010 (that’s tomorrow folks), come along to the Fox in Steventon and see what’s been going on and make some future paddling plans. I’ll probably be out on the Thames beforehand if anyone fancies a paddle, 6:00pm at the Club hut.

Trasher Articles Needed – The next edition of the Trasher is out soon so if you have anything that you would like included then please send it to Guy at kcc.trasher@gmail.com as soon as possible. All articles, pictures, diary dates or news item will be gratefully recieved.

Dee Trip 13/14th March – If anyone is interested in a Dee Trip over the weekend 13/14 March  then please let Louise Royle know ASAP. Drive up Friday night and stay in bunk house friday/Sat nights.

This trip will be water dependent* and is suitable for folk with some river experience (i.e. on the way towards 3 star, you must be able to break in and out of moving water). If you are interested and not sure if this trip is for you then please ask anyway.

*If the Dee doesn’t look like a goer water wise then we’ll substitute the Wye, Usk, Dart or whatever looks like a good bet closer to the time

The Big Paddle 15th/16th May – Anyone interested in this:http://www.thebigpaddle.com/

“To celebrate thirty years making gear for paddlers, Palm Equipment invites you to come for a paddle at a new and unique event taking place this May. Set on the stunning river Wye between England and Wales, Symonds Yat East will play host to a very special paddling weekend that will bring back the feel of the Grand River tours of the 1980’s…“

If anyone is interested then please let me or Louise know.

Riverside Shop Opening times – The shop is now shut during the week, only open on Saturdays 10-4pm and run by Garry Henwood

The Rob Roy Thames Canoe Rally – a challenge for 2010 - This year marks the inaugural Rob Roy Thames Canoe Rally – a real challenge to those who love canoeing.  During the summer, rally participants must paddle the whole length of the non-tidal Thames from Lechlade to Teddington Lock – a distance of 123 miles, incorporating some 44 locks.

Paddlers can use Canadian canoes or Kayaks and will have the whole summer to complete the rally.  The course will start at St John’s Lock, Lechlade and will finish at Teddington Lock.  The rally expects participants to do the journey in convenient steps anytime from the first of April until the end of September 2010. More details here - www.robroyrally.co.uk.

Trasher Articles Needed
The next edition of the Trasher is out soon so if you have anything that you would like included then please send it to Guy atkcc.trasher@gmail.com as soon as possible. All articles, pictures, diary dates or news item will be gratefully recieved.

Pool Session
Thurs 25th Feb 2010 will be the final pool session of this season. 8:00pm at Our Ladys Convent School, Abingdon

Monthly Meeting
Wed 3rd March 2010, come along to the Fox in Steventon and see what’s been going on and make some future paddling plans. I’ll probably be out on the Thames beforehand if anyone fancies a paddle, 6:00pm at the Club hut.

Dee Trip 13/14th March
If anyone is interested in a Dee Trip over the weekend 13/14 March  then please let Louise Royle know ASAP. Drive up Friday night and stay in bunk house friday/Sat nights.

This trip will be water dependent* and is suitable for folk with some river experience (i.e. on the way towards 3 star, you must be able to break in and out of moving water). If you are interested and not sure if this trip is for you then please ask anyway.

*If the Dee doesn’t look like a goer water wise then we’ll substitute the Wye, Usk, Dart or whatever looks like a good bet closer to the time

The Big Paddle 15th/16th May
Anyone interested in this:http://www.thebigpaddle.com/”To celebrate thirty years making gear for paddlers, Palm Equipment invites you to come for a paddle at a new and unique event taking place this May. Set on the stunning river Wye between England and Wales, Symonds Yat East will play host to a very special paddling weekend that will bring back the feel of the Grand River tours of the 1980’s…”If anyone is interested then please let me or Louise know.

The latest Trasher is out now. This issue:

- Chris Wheeler

- Abel Tasnan Park

- California ‘09

- Norway for Humans

- Snow Business

Get it HERE.