OCA news
You missed a great event: OCA CanoeFest May 2010
Friday, 30 October 2009 17:59
For 2010 we headed to the South West. As promised at the 2009 AGM we tried to move the venue for each year's event around the country to give as many folk the chance to come along for a fantastic weekend of padling and socialising.
It's not easy to find a venue for a 100+ paddlers but we opted for Wimbleball Reservoir. With plenty of options both on and off site we're busy putting together another great value programme.
We are now planning the 2011 event so look out for more details soon.
Welsh Access Inquiry
Tuesday, 01 September 2009 18:07
This Summer the Welsh National Assembly began an inquiry into the subject of access to the inland waterways of Wales.
As part of the inquiry the Sustainability Committee have requested responses to the following consultation.
Sustainability Committee’s inquiry into access to inland water in Wales
On 15 July 2009, the Sustainability Committee agreed the following terms of reference for its inquiry into access to inland water in Wales.
- To examine the current position for access to inland water in Wales and to make recommendations.
The committee is keen to hear the views of as many people with an interest in the subject as possible and would like to invite you to submit a written response to the questions in the attached annex.
We welcome contributions in Welsh and English. Please submit you evidence in electronic form if possible.
Draft questions for the access to inland waterways inquiry
What is your interest in the issue of access to inland waterways
- Land owner
- Recreational user
- Fishing
- User for waterborne recreation (e.g. canoeing, rowing etc)
- Other (please specify)
Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?
- If yes, which organisation/s?
Which stretch/es of water do you own/use/manage?
Legal rights
- Are you happy that your legal rights are clear and well defined?
- Can you briefly outline your understanding of your legal rights over the stretch of water/s that you own/use/manage
- Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?
- If yes, what changes would you like to see?
- Are you aware of any legislation that exists in other countries that could be used in Wales?
Voluntary agreements
- Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage
- If yes, please briefly outline the agreements that exist and your experience of how they operate.
- Would you like to see any changes to the voluntary agreements?
- If yes, what changes would you like to see?
- Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales?
Please can you briefly outline what you think are the key issues for recreational access to inland water in Wales and how you would like to see them addressed.
I would be grateful if you could submit any written evidence by Friday 19 September 2009 to Virginia Hawkins, Clerk to the Committee, at:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Further information regarding the Committee’s inquiry into access to inland water in Wales can be found on the Committee web pages at:
http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-committees/bus-committees-thirdassem/bus-committees-third-sc-home.htm
Read the OCA response to the consultation here
Paddler Development Programme published
Friday, 28 August 2009 21:50
Following public consultation, the OCA has published its Paddler Development Programme. The programme aims to provide the core skills necessary for progression to the Paddlesport Three-Star award and will cover a broader range of canoe-centred topics than that offered by the new Paddlesport One- and Two-Star awards.OCA cinema opens for business
Monday, 27 July 2009 11:03
Our team of highly trained hamsters has been busy recently and has just put the finishing touches to the 'OCA cinema'. This brings together the best canoeing videos from across the internet, saving you the bother of trawling YouTube!
The playlist includes many of Bill Mason's full-length classics, such as Waterwalker and the complete Path of the Paddle series and there also also loads of instructional videos covering basic and whitewater techniques. So, get your popcorn and settle down with our Pick of the Flicks!
OCA proposes Paddler Development Programme
Monday, 08 June 2009 21:25
The OCA proposes to develop a long-term paddler development programme to meet the needs of our members. Building on our current coaching activities, we aim to create a training framework that will enable paddlers of all ages to improve their skills. The programme will complement the BCU Star Awards, but be broader in scope. For more information about the proposals, and how to have an input into their development, please visit the Paddler Development Programme page.Online membership signup and renewal now available
Monday, 23 March 2009 20:52
You can now join, or renew you membership of the OCA, online. Secure payment is handled by PayPal, but don't worry if you don't have a PayPal account because you can also use a credit or debit card. So, don't delay - pay today!
Bubble Street comes to the OCA
Tuesday, 03 February 2009 15:16
To brighten up your day, the OCA website now carries the popular Bubble Street cartoons by the well-known canoeist, Paul Mason. We'll have a new comic-strip every fortnight, so check back regularly!Journal back-issues go online
Saturday, 06 December 2008 19:30
Copies of the OCA's journal, The Open Canoeist, and the newsletter, Tumblehome, are now available on the website. Current issues are available only to members, but back-numbers can be downloaded freely. We're currently trawling through the archives to plug a the gaps, so more material will be appearing in the next few weeks.New website launched
Monday, 13 October 2008 19:54
We've launched the new OCA website, which we hope will be a great source of information for all our members.
There's still some work to do, and more goodies will be appearing over the next few weeks, so check back frequently! In the meantime, any problems or suggestions should be sent to the website administrator
New BCU 3-star Touring Award
Tuesday, 12 August 2008 08:58
The BCU has launched a new 3-star Touring Award for paddlers who wish to progress through the training system but who do not want to paddle whitewater.
The new award has a very similar structure to the existing 3-star syllabus, but without the requirement for some of the assessment to take place on moving water. As always, the Theory section may contain some unusual questions, such as this example from the Training Notes: "Who is [sic] Rob Roy MacGregor?" You have been warned!
BCU launches new website
Tuesday, 05 August 2008 09:18
The BCU has completely revamped its website. The new site is considerably easier to navigate than its predecessor and should remove a lot of the pain of trying to locate information!John Pearton Memorial Paddle 2008
Monday, 14 July 2008 17:36
Many thanks to everyone who was able to attend this trip. It all went remarkably smoothly and despite one unexpected dunking and a couple of heavy showers we made it down to the Nene Valley Railway station at Peterborough in time. We were expecting a cattle truck at best but when a post office sorting train arrived we were all very impressed.
We'll be putting this one in the diary for next year so let's see if we can get even more canoes next year.
Symonds Yat rapids
Friday, 20 June 2008 09:23
Yat Rapids, for many thousands of paddlers their first venture on to moving water, is to get a face lift. After years of makeshift repairs to the groynes that help to funnel the flow and create the different features, the time has come to make a proper job of remodelling the site. The works will use much larger boulders to ensure that future floods don't move them around while works to the island will replace material that has been lost. The finished site will provide paddlers with a reliable section of grade 2 water throughout the year whilst still maintaining a clear central passge for touring paddlers to pass on through. Following extensive consultation with the Environment Agency and Countryside Council for Wales, planning permission has been granted to allow the works to start this year and will cost in the order of £165,000. Unfortunately this work will mean the rapids will be closed through September until the middle of October. During this period there will be a 250m portage marked along the bank.Visit www.yatrapids.co.uk for more information on the proposed works.
Bob Ottley
Written by Ian Richards Tuesday, 10 June 2008 00:00
It is with sadness that we need to let members know that Bob Ottley, one of OCA's vice-presidents and one-time Chair of the Open Canoe Association, has died after a long battle with cancer. He successfully defeated it about ten years ago, but sadly it returned more recently and took Bob from a loving family and the paddling community on Saturday 31st May 2008 at home, after a period in a local hospice.
Bob's funeral, in Taunton on the 9th June, was attended by many friends from the paddling community and celebrated a life of giving. Val and her family sent Bob on the next part of his journey in a dignified and stylish manner and I would like to take this opportunity to let them know that we will be thinking of them as they begin to come to terms with their loss, and will do whatever we can to help at a difficult time for any family. I would also like to publicly thank Pete Seymour, Neil Fuller and members of Axe Vale Canoe Club for the support they offered. Members should be aware that the OCA Council also made a donation to St Margaret's Hospice in Yeovil in accordance with the family's wishes.
I am sure that you will all recall Bob as a big hearted, caring man, with a passion for canoeing and a strong commitment to the OCA and developing opportunities and the skills of others and in February this year the British Canoe Union recognised Bob's contribution when Albert Woods, President of the BCU, presented Bob with a 'Services to Canoeing Award'. This is the first time that the BCU have made this award, which recognised a host of accomplishments over the last 40 years including:
- A long commitment to the Open Canoe Association
- Introducing over 1200 children to Canoeing.
- Developing the skills of many Open Canoe Coaches in the UK and Europe.
- Overseeing the development of Axe Vale Canoe Club.
- Championing the Open Canoe as a legitimate craft for Estuary and Sea crossings covering over 4000 sea miles and also running the successful Open Water in Open Canoes Weekend at Axemouth for the last 19 years.
Bob enjoyed the event and it provided another opportunity for those present to remember the achievements, exploits and fun that Bob shared with so many of us – we would like to capture some of these tales and others that you may want to share and have decided to do a special "Bob's issue" of the OCA Journal and would invite you to e-mail or write to the Journal Editor with your memories, so we can share them widely with members and celebrate the life of this very special man.
Changes to how we keep members updated
Sunday, 25 May 2008 09:38
Join the Editorial Team
Thursday, 01 May 2008 19:43
Help us make the Newsletter a reality. Have your say in how we let the membership know what's hapenning. Whether you would like to try your hand at writing a couple of short articles, a bit of prose or even poetry. Maybe you have a library of padling photos you think would help to make the letter more intersting. Get in touch with the secretary to find out more
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