Hi everyone, and welcome back to Pendle Ski club!
This summer has been a busy time again; new mats have been laid, and various other improvements to the site have been carried out. My thanks to everyone who gave up their time. This year we had a small number of volunteers, although we did see a few new faces, which was very welcome. All the people who work at Pendle are volunteers. We depend on volunteers, and you can use your volunteer time to help pay for your lessons!Please make the effort to get involved in the summer maintenance activity. I know its a bad time of the year because of summer holidays, but if we dont get enough people to volunteer, we may have to engage private contractors which will mean we have to increase fees by much more than we want to.
Pendle ski club committee also needs more members. Committee members attend a monthly meeting and perform various duties, such as manning the till and kitchen during open hours, ski and boot fitting, etc.
This summer we also had the Special Olympics as organised under the excellent management of Gerry Wigglesworth. It was a brilliant sunny day that was enjoyed by the participants and by all those who did various jobs. From my point of view, manning one of the entrances from the tow to the main slope, it was very satisfying to be able to encourage the participants as they came up the tow and jolly them along.
We also hosted the Alpha ski school run by Joanna Ryding, David Tee and Ben Hall. We have had terrific feedback from that, even though it was typical Pendle weather. I believe there were some spots of sunshine, but everyone got stuck in, enjoyed themselves and learned loads.
We have gained permission to develop the intermediate slope. That is the area below the junior slope. I am interested in setting up a small working party to discuss options on how to best develop the area with longevity, costs and income in mind. This group will report back to committee with proposals, but will not necessarily be part of the committee.
We want to start work on this area as soon as possible, so if you are interested, please volunteer. There are physical restrictions on what can be created due to the profile of the area, so you will have to be creative!
Open day is Sunday the 2nd of October and again we are offering 30 minute taster sessions for ski-ing and snowboarding for only £2.00. Please pass this onto friends and relatives. We are looking for more members, so please spread the word.
Thanks
Terry
Chairman, Pendle Ski Club
OPEN DAY
As Terry has already mentioned, our Open Day will be on Sunday 2nd October 2011. This is a really important day for Pendle Ski Club as it gives us a chance to show off our facilities to prospective members. We continually need new members to keep the Club moving forward, and, this year particularly, we need to try harder than ever. The current financial climate is everyones worry, so we must spread the word that Pendle Ski Club is really good value for money, and probably the best Club in the north of England to learn to ski or board. The Open Day is, therefore, aimed at complete beginners, you know someone Im sure, who has always wanted a go, but needs a little encouragement to actually get the boots on. There will be a BBQ, hot drinks, snacks and a chance for you to renew your membership, what more could you ask for well I suppose some sunshine would be nice. If you just want to come along and give your support then you are very welcome. See you there.
NEW SEASON
Im sorry if you are still waiting for your summer holiday to begin, but its time to work those ski/board legs again and think about winter!
Our new season begins in earnest on Monday 3rd October with lessons beginning at 7 pm. If you need to check lesson times, please check our web site at www.pendleskiclub.org and look at Lesson Schedule.
MEMBERSHIP
The start of season also means its membership renewal time. The changes this year will be Adult Membership is £35 and Junior Membership is £25. Lesson prices are unchanged.
The charge for Social Membership has changed. We have decided that the cost of becoming a Social Member (i.e. someone who is responsible for a junior member, and does not take part in skiing or snowboarding), should be reduced to £5, with no initial joining fee attached.
You can renew your membership on our Open Day on the 2nd October, or when you turn up for your lesson in the new season.
SUMMER RENOVATION WORK
Yet again, our very small band of volunteers has worked hard over the summer replacing mats on the main slope and improving the junior slope. The Club owes a great debt to these people, without them we just wouldnt function. Please consider helping out in the future, it is a good way of meeting new friends and getting some of that famous Pendle fresh air in your lungs. Just ask any Duty Officer for information or drop a note in the post box, and we will get back to you. Remember, for every two hours of work we will give you a voucher for one hour of free skiing/boarding its a good deal.
SECURITY
We have had some security issues over the summer, particularly on the car park. You will notice on your next visit that we have fitted a new set of gates which will be kept locked when the Club is closed.
NEW TRAINEE INSTRUCTORS
Once again, we have been lucky enough to hold a Level 1 induction course for new Instructors at the Club over the summer. The Committee would like to thank those people for taking part, and wish them well in their continued training.
We also held a Level 1 and 2 assessment day for some of our instructors who are revalidating or have decided to progress their level of teaching to the next stage. Well done to everyone who has been successful.
Instructors at the Club, are all volunteers. As well as giving their time freely, they must continue to keep their qualifications valid at all times. This is a process of induction, assessment and revalidations on a regular basis. This costs them money and some considerable commitment, and for this we owe them a huge amount of respect, thank you very much.
If you are interested in becoming an Instructor or would like more information, please leave a note in the post-box or speak to a Duty Officer on your next visit.
NEW SATURDAY LESSON PLAN
If you are thinking of attending Saturday lessons this season please check the new times.
1 pm Practice skiing and boarding
2 pm Children under 6 ski lesson
2 pm Development Skills for Parallel Skiers
3 pm Children 6 10 years lesson
3 pm Intermediates under 14
4 pm Adult beginners
4 pm Intermediates over 15
5 pm Close
If you have any queries please contact the Club, or check the web sitewww.pendleskiclub.org.
RACE SQUAD NEWS
This last season has seen yet another busy time for our racers and their parents who taxi them about. As the summer calendar of events draws to a close we thank them for their support at our own events for volunteering and assisting as officials plus also helping out at various other events throughout the country.
Pendle Winter Race League
Over 90 racers attended the 4 events with Pendle racers usually accounting for at least 25 of them.. We had to cancel one as there was too much snow!!! Racers from age 4 to 60+ entered and much fun was had by all. Pendle won the U10, U13 and U19 categories but our U99 team will have to try harder as they were awarded the Wooden Spoon Trophy!
Sheffield Sharks ran a Frostbite series and Stoke ran a Summer Race Series Pendle skiers regularly attended both with Eleanor Eaves, Joseph Huppach & Sally Woods gaining podium positions at the end of the series.
North West Schools Race
This was held at Pendle and over 100 school children came to compete. Pendle race squad did well and were awarded many trophies including ones in the novice class (1st year of racing). Eleanor Eaves, Lucy Naylor, Joely Side, Sally Wood, Robert Holmes, Alex Lutwyche, Declan Huppach, Jacob Lutwyche, Callum Witts, Chris Corr, Seb Glover, Kaigan Witts and Richard Leeson all stood on the podium.
Nationals and Grand Prix
Pendle was represented at nearly all the races throughout the summer and when present there was always someone from the club with a podium finish. This is testament to the excellent coaching by Lindsay Allen and David Eaves. At least one 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their age categories was achieved by Viv Hanson, Lorna Side and Nicola Herbert (Masters), Andrew Leeson and Jonny Powell (Seniors), Sally Woods and Kelly Wiseman (J2), Chris Corr and Michael Knowles (J1), Callum Witts (Child2), Declan Huppach (Child1) and Joseph Huppach and Eleanor Eaves (Minis).
Pendle National saw 120+ racers on a sunny day tackling a course set by Pendles own coach Lindsay Allen. Pendle racers picked up many trophies including 3 racers in the top 4 overall positions in the male race Andrew Leeson 2nd, Chris Corr 3rd and Jonny Powell 4th. David Ryding returned to present the prizes and give many aspiring skiers an autograph and words of encouragement.
Our thanks go to Ski Racing Supplies for providing prizes for the winners, and goodie bags for the mini competitors.
Snowsport England collate results from the series of Club Nationals throughout the year, and as a club we finished 5th out of 20, with results collated on an individual basis in respect of Grand Prixs with congratulations to Declan Huppach who finished first in his age group.
Other events include Celtic Cup which is a series similar to a Grand prix, but open to Minis and again congratulations go to Declan Huppach who was first overall in his age category (Child 1).
You can view all results at www.britski.org.
Special Schools Special Olympics Event
This year saw a first for Pendle in conjunction with the Liverpool Schools Sports Partnership (LSSP) hosting a ski competition an event specifically aimed to support the needs of children and adults with learning difficulties. The event was run along the lines of the Special Olympics, and supported by Keith Parrish Technical Director for the Special Olympic Skiing UK.
We were blessed with sunshine (yes it does happen at Pendle) and had fifty competitors from the Ribble Valley, Merseyside and West Midlands take part in events ranging from a novice walk / glide on the nursery slope to expert slalom and giant slalom on the main slope. David Corr represented Pendle and finished 2nd in both the expert slalom and GS course. Congratulations David.
Whilst this was a first for the club it was enjoyed by all those who took part and is likely to become a regular feature for special schools with interest already shown from competitors north of the border once a date has been confirmed for 2012. Gerry Wigglesworth from LSSP (also club chief instructor) and Keith both paid thanks to all the parents at the club who helped and made the day a great success.
Inter-Regional and National Championships
The events which are the highlight of the race calendar are the Inter Regional Championships and the National Championships held at the end of the season.
Pendle Skiers supported the North West Squad in the Inter Regional Event progressing through a difficult draw in the league and reached the first round of the knock out stage.
We saw some fantastic performances from Pendle Skiers at the All England in Norwich where the best of the best congregate each year to win glory. First places in their age groups went to Declan Hupach, Chris Corr & Viv Hanson with Andrew Lesson also on the podium with a 3rd in the strongly contested seniors age group. Andrew, Chris and Jonny finished in the top 10 of the Males competition a fantastic achievement. Many other Pendle Skiers also saw strong finishing positions in their age groups Jonny Powell, Jonathan Eaves, Callum Witts, Sally Wood & Kelly Wiseman.
Sunday saw the team events with Pendle putting two teams forward. There was a welcome return, following a late substitution, of Kaigan Witts into one of the teams. He has been recovering from a dislocated shoulder and missed most of the seasons races and training. The first stage of the competition had teams drawn in to leagues with the winners then going through to the knock out stages. Although both our teams skied exceptionally well and won some of the races we did not make it through as two of the top favoured teams were in our draw.
Late September into October sees the Welsh, Scottish, Irish, British and European Championships.
Pendle racers will be hoping to defend their titles won last year or better their positions. In 2010 Kaigan Witts was the Irish and European J1 Champion and in the winning England A team in the International team event. Unfortunately his injury will prevent him this year from competing. At the British Championships Chris Corr, Jonny Powell, and Callum Witts all obtained podium positions. Good luck to all in the coming few weeks.
Alpha Race Camp
Another first for Pendle was for the Club to host the Alpha Race Camp this summer. It was arranged by Jo Ryding (sister of Dave), Dave Tee (both former Pendle Races) and Ben Hall and saw 36 skiers from Pendle and as far as Torquay come and have a weeks intensive training.
Jo now coaches the GB squad and brought a wealth of this experience with her to the camp which supports the work of the regular coaches at Pendle. Despite a week which saw the most rain in the summer holidays everyone had a great time and all enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the quality of the slope which Pendle has become famous for. It is hoped that the camp will take place again next summer and be equally well supported.
England Dry Slope Squad
Last, but certainly not least, our congratulations must go to the following Pendle skiers who have been invited to be part of the England Dry Slope Ski team:-
Chris Corr (Jn1), Andrew Leeson (Snr) and Jonny Powell (Snr).
Kaigan Witts (Jn2) was also invited, but has regrettably had to decline until he is fully recovered from his injuries.
This is not an easy achievement and they should be applauded for their commitment both at training and in travelling the length and breadth of Britain to represent their club and nation.