Disabled Snowsports Canterbury

First we would like to say a very big thank you to all of you who were helping at the Ski Sale. It was great to see so many there. This is an ideal opportunity for us to make our organisation known and to let the public see what we are all about. We also use this time to promote our Bargain Books, which sold very well. It is good to see that people come straight to us to purchase these, (as you all know they are the best bargain that a snow bunny can buy).

As normal at this time of year we are on the look out for helpers. With out the very generous time that these people give to us we could not exist. If you know of anyone that you think would be interested please get them to phone us and leave their name and number on the answer phone (365 8348) and we will get back to them with more details. We will provide training for these people and all helpers are required to attend our training sessions, with the first one being held at Sport Canterbury ( 70 St Asaph Street ) on the 9th June at 7.00pm . This is the dry land training and the practical sessions are either Sat 12th or Sun 13th June 2004 . (You only have to attend one of these days).

Welcome to the new skiers and boarders joining our organisation this season. Remember to come along to fitness on a Monday evening 6-7pm , for your initial assessment, and join in the

activities with our new fitness instructor . Existing members are also encouraged to attend. We rely on your participation to make it a success. You will also be the first to book in for ski days if you put your name down while at fitness on Monday evenings.

Check out the details below and get in early for your spot. You must book a place on either camp, at least 7 days prior to the start date.

Some things never change, we asked for your feed back on this issue and we only got one reply, so we are still at Hammersley Park School .

The first fitness night will be a little bit different, we are going to have a bit of a get together by having a fish & chip night. So please come along and bring $2.00 for tea, and get to catch up on some summer gossip. We also have a new fitness instructor starting, so we thought this would be a good way for her to get to know you all.

Many thanks to all of our sponsors, without your support we could not offer the extensive program that we currently do. Thanks to:

Kathmandu, The Community Trust, The Shirley Lodge, Manderville Tavern, COGS, Farringtons Tavern, Kaikanui Tavern, Coasters Tavern, and Diggers Tavern

Hi everyone and how was your summer? Only 6 weeks to go and there is snow on Mt Hutt again this morning. As some of you know the CSA ski sale was on last week, with things looking good for this year. The committee and I would like
to hear about more things that you as a group would like to do, an example is the fish & Chip night at the first fitness. What other things as a group would you like to do or see Disabled Skiing do for you? Would you like to go bowling or WHAT?

Also I am happy to help you out to pick up new gear or even advice on your old gear, so just ring the answer phone and I will call you back.

If are thinking about skiing then its time to get fit, so come to fitness and tell me what you want to do and we will get some exercises organized for you to do at least 2 or 3 times a week. That means some of you need to start now and do squats (Bend your knees), step up onto steps and back down, and stretching. I hope you can think of some of the stretches from last year?

We are on the look out for new helper so if you know some one who skis ask them and tell them that they will have a cheap/fun day skiing with us.

Last of all, as I will see you soon is that Dave & Sarah are still in Europe and have finished skiing and now traveling, but they would like to say "Hi to you all and have a good season".

So I will get a lot of messages on the answer phone next week on things that you would like done or things you would like organized as a group on the answer phone (3658348) next week.

See you all soon.

My name is Felicity Tyson, married mother of two children, Matthew 11yrs and Jessica 8 yrs. I started skiing at age 11 and have loved the sport for many years and Jessica seems to have my love for skiing. I became a helper for DSC because of my love for skiing and my understanding of special needs people, as Jessica is special needs as many of you will know. After being a helper for a season I then introduced Jessica to Disabled Skiing. But the boys in the family don’t appreciate the snow, they seem to think that you just get cold and wet. I hope as president that you all find me approachable and willing to listen. I wish I may serve the club as well as the out going president - Julie Kerr has done.

Hope you all had a fun and safe summer and are ready for another great ski season. The snow is not to far away so check that those comfy ski boots from last year still fit. If not remember the ski sale early may. This is a great place to get some good gear at good prices.

The Committee has had its planning meeting and have got all our dates set for the season. We hope that this year we can get you to book in early for any ski week as it does make planning hard when it is all left to the last minute. We will continue to have our Golden Oldies Weekend, as we love to keep contact with the Members who have become Independent and don’t ski with the branch so much during the season. We don’t want to lose contact with you.

We are looking at setting up a Sub Branch in Ashburton as we do have members down there and would like to get more. We are looking for someone in Ashburton who would like to be a contact for our Association. Please let the committee know if there is anyone out there that would like to do this. We are also looking at having new members on the committee. Please don’t stand back

We will be selling the Chocolate Bars again this year and with everyone’s support we are hoping to sell twice as many as last year. Dave Mac has been our top seller in the past so who’s going to try and top his sales.

Bargain Books and Book fair will again be our major Fund-raiser for the money needed for the extras that are required throughout the season. Nicky will be applying to Lotteries, Christchurch City Council, Trustbank, and Cogs who in the past have support ed us so well. Hotel Grants will be applied for, so anyone with any contacts please let the committee know. These are named in the newsletter so make yourself known if in any of these places.

We also would like to see a better attendance at Fitness. We asked in the last newsletter for feedback on a possible change of venue. Thank you Sue Nevin you were the only one that replied to our request.

Our AGM was held on 22nd March and again there was a poor attendance to this. We do need to have better support here so the committee is aware of how you feel about the Association and the decisions we, as a Committee, make on your behalf.

A change of name from Disabled Skiing to Disabled Snow Sports was discussed in depth and it was interesting to hear the different comments on this. It was decided to carry on as Disabled Skiing Canterbury for this year and we would like you to think about this and attend the next AGM where this will be discussed again. We would like to have your input.

It was announced at the AGM that Dave will not be back to join us this year, as he and Sarah are staying overseas for another year. This means we will be advertising for a new Instructor for this season. Euan will be with us again as Assistant.

Felicity Tyson was voted in as President. The committee will continue to work hard to offer you the opportunities and challenges we have given you in the past and to get new members up on the mountain to ski. But we do need your help.

As a direct result of the obvious mood for change in the running of Disabled Skiing Canterbury Ruth Simpson has decided to tender her resignation from the committee as Secretary and Treasurer taking effect immediately after nine years. She has been tireless in the work she has done making sure the programme was running efficiently, and also as assessor to ensure it was safe for prospective members to ski.

Noelene Francis will also stand down when a replacement for her has been found. She has been on the committee for 15 years She was instrumental in organising and applying for Grants to run our programme instead of relying on raffles and Bargain Books to raise the required funds.

I too will be standing down from the committee at the end of this season. This leaves us with a quorum …just. So please ring one of us to offer your services as a Committee Member. You have asked for a change….now….make it happen. Now we have a paid Administration person, Nicky Willis, the time involved has been decreased markedly.

Disabled Skiing Canterbury is the only Branch that has one employed Administrator, one employed Instructor and one employed Assistant Instructor, along with two vans. All other Branches have to make their own way to the ski fields and use the available “on field” Instructors. Do you want this for your skier? The cost will increase and the one on one attention will decrease. All the above is what the present committee have worked hard to obtain.

Being on the committee for the last 10 years and President for the last 6 years has been very rewarding and challenging. It is hard work to raise the $45,000 - $50,000 which it costs to run our programme but with a dedicated committee we have worked well together to ensure that these funds are raised and spent wisely. The rewards have been great. Some of these being:

Since last season we have been planning our projects for this season some of which are under way

I hope we still have our valued volunteers turn up and give their time. We cannot run our program without you. Thank you very much.

Lastly I like to tell you how I got involved with DSC. My daughter Rachael (arm amputee) was stuck up a tree one day and couldn’t get down. I told her she got up there so she must be able to get down. She did but cried all the way. I wondered if I had handled this in the right way so I rang Cripple Children for a bit of advise. From then on we got the CCS newsletter and it was in here that I read about DSC so joined Rachael up and she has never looked back. She became a World Champion and a winner of 3 Gold Medals at the 2002 Winter Paralympics. And I was there to share that with her.

The season is well underway and it is great to see so many of you booking in for skiing. We have had good numbers going up the mountain and a very big thank you to all of our volunteer helpers. It was also good to see so many of you at fitness on the first night, if you haven’t been along yet make it a priority after the school holidays as our new fitness instructor Rachael is fantastic. There will not be any fitness during the school holidays, so make a note in the diary to be there on 26 July 2004 .

We would also like to welcome Colin Wood who is our new Instructor for the season.

Some of you would have already met Colin, for those of you who haven’t come long to fitness and book in to go skiing. Colin has some great new ideas and we look forward to having these implemented throughout the season.

The first ski week is fully booked so if you want to get on the second one commencing 26 – 29 July make sure you book in now. Numbers are limited and it is first in first to go. The price for each camp is $140.00, which covers all transport/meals and accommodation. If you require lift tickets or rental equipment this is additional to this. Alternative care can be used, and 4 days will be claimed .

A big thank you to all of you who turned out to help at the Theatre Royal Book Fair.

Many hands made light work. Each year we get a substantial donation from them, and all they ask is that we provide help over the weekend.

Many Thanks

A note from Euan

Some of you are so keen that that you are booked in for the second or third time already this season.

Welcome to the following new skiers, Nick Field, Fadee Shafeek, Jessica Tyson & Alisha Mclennan.

I would also like to welcome all the new enthusiastic helpers that we found this year, there are to many to list individually, but there is 50 or more of them so come up and make it a good days skiing for everyone.

I have had two weekends of skiing now, that being helpers weekend and last weekend of skiing with some of you, but I would like to see more of you skiers/boarders.

Helpers training was great and Jane & I were impressed with the talent of our new helpers throughout our training clinics. We covered links, blind skiing and using outriggers. Also going through riding lifts and how to keep you all safe up there at Mt Hutt. We have got a few more snowboarding helpers and they need some help on riding the pomma lifts so come up and give them some tips.

As you know we have our new ski instructor here now, Colin and we would like to make him welcome so come up and make him feel welcome with some nice home cooked food, but be careful he is from Auckland .

There is snow up at Mt Hutt and it’s not as cold as normal through the day so come up and make the most of it.

I would like to get all our skiers and Boarder to talk to Colin or myself about what they want to achieve this year and we will write it down and help to achieve that goal. At the end of the year we will look back on that goal and there will be prizes to reflect your achievement.

Lastly remember to book in early for the week as there are some very keen people out there and you don’t wont to miss out. That is Skiers and Helpers so try and book in on Monday or early Tuesday for the week.

Also don’t be late 7.45am Wednesday & 7.15am on the weekends, We have left a few late people behind already this year so don’t let it be you.

Well will be nice to see you all soon and catch up on what you have been doing over the summer.

A note from Colin

My name (as many of you already will know) is Colin Wood. I have been working for the ski and snowboard Schools of Aspen for the past seven seasons. At the start of that time, I also served as an intern in mountain operations working in such departments as snowmaking, snow grooming, petrol, and lifts. Summer duties included summer mountain ranger, trail crew and lift and vehicle maintenance. I initially started working with skiers with disabilities as a guide for visually impaired skiers, then moved into instruction for the blind and into other areas of disabilities.

One skier I have taught is American Eric Weinmeyer who recently was the first blind person to summit Mt Everest.

I am a native Aucklander and currently completing a degree in Education. I have made the move to Christchurch this season to specifically instruct for Disabled Skiing Canterbury.

I am looking forward to being a part of the organisation and working with the skiers, parents and helpers.

I look forward to meeting you all, so please come along to fitness on Monday evenings at Hammersley Park School at 6.00pm otherwise I will see you all up the mountain.

Fitness

Please note that there will be no fitness during the school holidays. Fitness will recommence on 26 July at Hammersley Park School at 6.00pm . Please remember to bring along a gold coin as a donation for the hire of the hall.

Well it is that time of year again when we put away all of the winter gears and start to clean the BBQ and enjoy the longer evenings. We have had a good season with great numbers heading up the mountains each week. The vans have been fairly full most days. This season fitness was well attended most weeks and enjoyed by all, we have put our dibs in to get Rachael back again next season, as she has done a wonderful job.

Once again the committee have put in some long hours organising the 2004 program, as their time is all voluntary, on behalf of the members I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment and endless energy.

This season has been also one of a mixed bag with our Instructor from last season not returning from overseas. We were very fortunate to have Colin Wood join us this season.

Colin brought with him a lot of knowledge in the instruction of people with disabilities, having spent most of the last eight summers working in Aspen. Colin is heading back again in early December and we wish him all the best for his coming season. And thank him very much for the input he has had with Disabled Skiing Canterbury in 2004.

We had our final ski week in September, which was well attended with about nine skiers and great helpers.

Thank you to Wendy once again for being chief cook and bottle washer, and to Rag Begg and Matthew Turnbull for your help.

We had a team of skiers and boarders who headed to Wanaka to represent Canterbury at the National Ski Week and Alpine Championships. Everybody had a great time and all achieved their own goals while there.

Thank you to Racal Nevin who very bravely drove the troops there and up and down the mountain each day, your time and help was very much appreciated by all.

SUBS - yes there a few members who have enjoyed the season on the slopes but have not paid their subs. This is a small contribution $60.00 per member or $80.00 per family. We put a lot of time into the running and organising of the Disabled Skiing Canterbury program and feel that like any other organisation we are worthy of this. If your subs are not received by the end of November 2004, we will take it that you no longer wish to be involved and you will be removed from our mailing list. You will also be classed as unfinancial for next season. Please send yours now if you haven’t already.

For the last two years we have played mini golf, so we thought it was time for a change. We are having a BBQ at the Groynes on the 7^th November 2004 starting from 1.30pm. This has come about by the large number of families who have joined us this season. This will be a great way to catch up before Christmas

and exchange a few laughs from the season. Disabled Skiing Canterbury will be providing a sausage sizzle, some entertainment and a few treats. If you wish to bring along other BBQ food you are most welcome to do so. There will be a sign at the gate as to where you will find us (park no. 1). If the weather decides to disappoint us there will be a message on the answerphone 365 8348 so please phone first.

We will be incorporating this with our annual prize-giving, so make sure that you all attend as there are medals up for grabs.

Please phone and leave numbers attending on the answerphone by 5^th November so that we know for catering purposes. 365 8348.

One of our members had his first experience at Nationals this season and then proceeded to spend the following week in Wanaka to go the Special O ski week. Hamish Chand had an outstanding time in Wanaka and was selected to represent New Zealand at the World Winter Special Olympics to be held in Magano (Japan) in February 2005. There were five skiers selected and one ice skater. In total there will be 2800 competitors representing 80 different countries. Well done Hamish and all the best for your trip.

If you are moving house over the summer months don’t forget to phone the answerphone and leave your new postal details so that we can get your newsletters and any other correspondence to you. We always seem to get quite a bit of returned mail of the summer months.

To our HELPERS - Your time and passion has been very much appreciated over the season. With out our volunteer helpers our current program would not exist. We would love to have you all back again next year, so if your time permits please get in touch with us early in 2005 by phoning the answerphone

03 365 8348. It would be great to see as many of our helpers at our end of season break up as possible.

Some members and parents have inquired about the worth of purchasing a season pass for Mt Hutt in2005. They should be considered if you are a regular with Disabled Skiing Canty during the season. They are usually advertised in Feb/March and are available at the cheapest rate for a specific time only. You need to be in early!!

Once the 2005 pass dollar cost is known, just do the sums and work out how many days you need to ski/board to make it pay. (Mt Hutt don’t give a “Disabled rate” on seasons passes) If you have a home computer you can join the NZSki.com Club and they will send you a newsletter when they are going to be available.

Elite Development Grants

It is that time of year again when you can apply for an Elite

Development Grant through Disabled Skiing Canterbury. This grant is available to members of Disabled Skiing Canterbury in recognition of their dedication to the sport and their desire to compete at a national or international level. Grants can be applied for by both Elite Skiers and Developing Skiers.

Elite Skiers are those who have competed or intend to

compete nationally or internationally.

Developing Skiers are those who have shown dedication and commitment to their skiing and have specific goals and objectives which they want to achieve.

The grant is made available thanks to the fund raising efforts of the committee of Disabled Skiing Canterbury. A selection panel of committee members will decide on distribution of grants and their decision is final. Grants will be awarded every six months. If no suitable applications are submitted, grants will not be distributed.

In order to apply, you must be a financial member of Disabled Skiing Canterbury.

If you are interested or wish to apply you will need to leave a message on the

answerphone 03 365 8348 and an application form will be posted to you.

Applications close on November 30th 2004.

As this is the last newsletter for the year, the committee would like to thank you all for a great season and wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.

If you are traveling over this festive time, take care and have a wonderful holiday. See you next year.