Club News updated 3rd February 2010
As of last week the swimming pool will be closed for major repairs and is unlikely to be open for three to six months. As aresult the committee has been incontact with the council to arrange an alternative pool, we are also looking at using the outfoor facilities available to us on a more regular basis. We will keep you updated once we have confirmed the new plans
We are planning a sponsored paddle on the Ogmore river, getting in at the highest point possible down to the mouth at ogmore by sea. If you would like to sponsor our paddlers or know more then please email Daniel
A number of members have gone on paddles around the coast over the past few weeks and we are planning trips to take place every weekend during the coming winter. If you have any suggestions on where we should go then please e-mail Nikki
Click here for the Ogmore slalom website and for photos of the Slalom event from July.
Upcoming Trips
| 11nd October | TBC |
| 18th October | TBC |
| 25th October | TBC |
| 1st Novemeber | TBC |
| 8th Novemeber | TBC |
| 15th November | TBC |
Slalom
At Maesteg C. C. we are actively involved in canoe slalom and last season we enjoyed a great success in a number of events across the country especially Thomas Blackwell who is now in the Premier Division and is doing extremely well. On July 4th and 5th Bridgend Canoe Club and Maesteg Canoe Club are running a Div 3/4 Slalom event on the Ogmore river by Bridgend Rec. Please email Daniel for more information.
We have a number of members who compete in all divisions. Below is a summary of the current rankings in the club and we hope to continue with our success for years to come.
Slalom Rankings 2009
| Thomas Blackwell | Premier Division Ranked 64 |
| Daniel Evans | Division 2 Ranked 48 |
| Nicola Dowie | Division 3 Ranked 30 |
| Rhian Taylor | Division 3 Ranked 86 |
| William Rees | Division 3 Ranked 137 |
Paddle Power Awards
Recently we have introduced We currently promote the new Paddle Power Awards for the junior members, and below are the members who have successfully completed parts of the course. The scheme was designed to replace the star awards for the younger members.
Passport
| Nathan Williams | Level 2 |
| Xena Isaac | Level 2 |
| Simon Howgarth | Level 2 |
| Yahna Hart | Level 2 |
Adult Intermediate
| Mathew Barns | Level 2 |
| Scott Lloyd | Level 2 |
| Tim Winstunley | Level 2 |
| William Rees | Level 2 |
| Michael Thomas | Level 2 |
Top Club Award
We at Maesteg Canoe Club were delighted to be the first in Wales to achieve the Top Club Award. We have now recieved the award; which will ensure funding for our club. As we were the first club in Wales to apply for the Top Club Award it has been vetted by the BCU as this award has been running in England for some time now. I would strongly recommend that all clubs in Wales follow our example in applying for the Top Club Award, and the best of luck to you. We are more than happy to offer any support and advice to clubs applying for this award. I would like at this point to thank everyone who has played a part in getting this document passed by the BCU/WCA especially Mr. S. Sinfield National Development Officer and our secretary Nikki, for without her motivating us at the club, we wouldn’t have been the First in Wales to get the Award.
If you would like to join as a Junior or Adult member then please email our Secretary or come along to our sessions at Maesteg swimming pool on a wednesday night. If you would like training for a star award or to be assessed then we can arrange this for you.
From Novice to Welsh Team in Eighteen months
In just two years, after joining Maesteg Canoe Club, Thomas Blackwell’s progress in the sport has been startling. Under the tuition of A. Pritchard, senior coach at the club Thomas quickly gained the skills that allowed him to venture onto the rivers of South Wales. In no time he was awarded his one and two star award from the Welsh Canoeing Association. Thomas was introduced to Mr Mik Power who coaches canoe slalom on the river Ogmore, Mik a Welsh coach was impressed with Thomas and asked him to join a small group of paddlers that he was coaching. Thomas joined this team in January this year and he has surprised many onlookers at his further development. He has moved through slalom ranks very quickly. In June of this year he entered his first competition at Langham farm in Bath, which he won In light of this he was promoted to division 3 of the British slalom league. Winning races at Bedford, Iron bridge and Bala Thomas was promoted to division one. During this period Thomas was invited to join the Welsh development Team and has attended several coaching weekends at Bala. Having gained promotion to division one Thomas was invited to represent his country and paddled for Wales in the Pan Celtic Cup that was held in Bala in July of this year. Thomas has also represented Wales in a European event at Klagenfurt in Austria. Further success was when Thomas moved away from the development team into the Welsh under 16 Squad. The slalom season ends at the end of October but Thomas will spend the winter training with the Welsh team. This will require regular trips to Bala in north Wales and The British Canoe Union in Nottingham. Thomas has advanced a long way in 12 months but is quick to recognise the assistance he has received from people. His training partners Thomas Power himself a Welsh slalom Champion and premier division paddler has provided so much advice. Arthur Powell supports Thomas at every Training session. Important contributions have been made by the Senior Coach at Maesteg and particularly Mick Power who has guided Thomas through his first year of competition.
Club Info
back to topWhen we Canoe...
Every Wednesday Night
Juniors: 8pm - 9pm
Adults/Improvers: 9pm - 10pm
Open all year for juniors, Red Bridge card users can take part
in our "come and try sessions", for FREE, during the school holidays.
During the School term the session will cost £2.60 over the counter at the pool reception.
Maesteg Canoe Club Policies
back to topMaesteg Canoe Club is affiliated to the Welsh Canoeing Association (WCA), the British Canoeing Union (BCU). Maesteg Canoe Club adheres to the BCU best practice guidelines with particular reference to the following policies:
Child Protection Since April 2001, all sports organisations that receive public funding must have a child protection policy in place. Maesteg Canoe Club has a duty of care to safeguard children involved in any of its activities from harm. All children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable will be taken into account. The aim of Maesteg Canoe Club's Child Protection Policy is to promote good practice by ensuring children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of Maesteg Canoe Club. The whole policy is available on request from the Child protection/Welfare officer Nicola Dowie.
Vulnerable Adults All coaches, officials and members of Maesteg Canoe Club will endeavour to ensure that all those taking part in canoeing are able to do so protected and are kept safe from harm while they are partaking in any activity with Maesteg Canoe Club.
Harassment
It is Maesteg Canoe Club's policy that every member and persons
taking part in any of its activities can expect to be afforded
an environment free of harassment and to be treated with respect.
Equal Opportunities Maesteg Canoe Club actively seeks to operate an equal opportunities policy. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no membership applicant or current member receives any less favourable treatment than any other. Membership of the club is open to all sectors of the community, groups and individuals. If you wish to view any of the club's policies please contact the club secretary Nicola Dowie via email.
Risk Assessments There is Risk Assessment's for the swimming pool and out of centre if you want to see either risk assessments, please visit our contact page and we will email you a copy.
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