BTX – Bridgend Team Xtreme
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What is BTX? |
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NEW Rock Climbing |
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NEW Kayaking |
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What is Bridgend Team Xtreme?
Bridgend Team Xtreme (BTX) is an Adventure Activity project for young people in Bridgend County, a unique programme of surfing, mountain-biking, rock climbing and kayaking activities are being offered through a partnership approach by Bridgend County Youth Service, with the Active Young People Department, and the Sports Council for Wales.
BTX delivers adventure activities available through a calendar of programmed sessions during the evenings, weekends and school holiday periods, available to all young people of Bridgend County to have the opportunity of experiencing the fun and thrill of the outdoors. Whether you're after a gentle introduction or mind-blowing adrenalin rush, you’ve come to the right place.
Whatever you're looking for – a taster session, developing your current skills, a personal challenge, a team-building session or simply 100% pure adventure fun, you'll have a great time.
BTX delivers adventure activities in some of the best locations in Wales. Bridgend County and its surrounding areas offer world-leading outdoor adventure locations and some of the best forestry and mountains, as well as some of cleanest and warmest waters in the UK, as well as incredible scenery and wonderful wildlife.
Surfing
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Invented in ancient Polynesia and Hawaii, it’s undergone many changes in the last few hundred years and with recent advances in wetsuit and surf board technology, there’s never been a better time to learn.
Porthcawl and the South West Wales is a great place to surf, with beaches facing the Atlantic swell on three sides, it’s usually "going off" somewhere nearby.
Whether you’re new to the sport or would like to improve, our enthusiastic and friendly instructors can show you how to stand up and ride your first wave, cutback or kick out.
But beware, surfing is addictive, once surf fever strikes, you’ll be hooked for life.
Once you’ve ridden your first good wave, you’ll want a better one and begin a quest that will last you a lifetime.
Taster Days
Our Taster Days ‘Learn to Surf’ sessions are aimed at complete beginners or those that have never received any formal instruction and want to learn the basics correctly.
Progression/Club Sessions
Our Progression/Club Learn to Surf sessions are aimed at beginners and improvers, those that have never received any formal instruction and want to learn the basics correctly or improve on their current ability. During these sessions you get more time to practice catching waves and more instructor tuition, so that you can progress much faster.
Who and Where?
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As with all our surf courses you will spend plenty of time in the water, in a small group, with a British Surf Association qualified coach. |
Our main teaching venue is at Newton and Rest Bay, Porthcawl, with clean water and good local facilities.
Occasionally we visit other beaches to seek the “wave of the day”!
Each session will cover:
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Handling & paddling a surf board safely & correctly |
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The ability to identify and pick suitable waves |
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Ride a wave; prone and standing up |
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Make simple turns; prone and standing up |
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Predict waves & surf using weather charts & forecasts |
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Understanding of common beach/ water hazards and how to treat them |
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Knowledge of equipment and how to choose what is best for you |
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Knowledge of good surfing locations close to you, or around the UK |
You need to bring:
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Packed lunch |
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Towel* |
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Wet suit boots |
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Swimming costumes |
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Warm clothes for changing into |
*Please note, in traditional surfer fashion we often get changed at the beach with minimal facilities for male /female separation. If you are shy, please bring an extra large towel!
We will provide:
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A surf board and leash |
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Full “steamer” wetsuit |
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Hot drinks |
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Safety equipment |
…and a really friendly & experienced surf coach!
Mountain Biking
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With some of the best mountain biking destinations in the world, Wales is the place to be to hit the trails. And within a short distance of anywhere in Bridgend you can be on the local Celtic Trail or the forestry Afan Argoed and Glyncorrwg mountain bike trail centres.
The mountain bike courses we run will give you all the knowledge and experience you need to get you riding and keep you mountain biking in all terrain and conditions, still with a smile on your face.
We have helped hundreds of young people improve their mountain biking skills and experience new trails, and whether you are trying mountain biking for the first time or simply want lessons to improve your mountain bike skills to get out on the trails, you’re sure to enjoy these sessions.
Taster Days
Our Taster Days ‘On Your Bike’ (Level 1) sessions are aimed at beginners/inexperienced or those that have never received any formal instruction and want to pick up the essentials on how to ride a mountain bike, carrying your speed balance and confidence is the main focus.
Progression/Club Sessions
Our Progression/Club sessions are aimed at improvers and intermediate riders (Level 2), those that have never received any formal instruction and want to learn the essentials correctly or improve on their current ability progressing from Level 1. During these sessions you get more trail time and more instructor tuition, so that you can progress much faster.
These can lead onto Level 3 sessions, for more experienced riders who want to get the tough sections better or faster or for riders progressing from Level 2. Bigger drop-offs, roots, rocks and tighter switchbacks are all included. Confidence on steeper terrain and at faster speeds is one key area, and learning more advanced techniques on berms and climbing. This is pretty much perfect for anyone who’s been riding mountain bikes and would like to improve some more. Skills covered include cornering and carrying speed, berms, switchbacks, manuals, roots and many more. Trail centre riders and novices will benefit hugely from learning these skills.
Who and Where?
As with all our mountain biking sessions you will spend plenty of time on the trail, in a small group, with an SMBLA (or equivalent) qualified coach. Our main instructing venue’s are at Bridgend Celtic Trail or Afan Argoed forestry, with well marked trails and good local facilities.
Occasionally we visit other trails, to add variety and challenge to the group!
Each Session will cover:
The area includes a wide variety of terrain and obstacles including berms, jumps, drops and a rather tricky downhill section. Here you will ride in a small group (maximum of 6 riders) with one of the BTX instructors and assisted by another leader.
The BTX instructors will cover a diverse range of skills but the main focus will be on:
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Correct bike set up |
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Correct riding position's |
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Equipment and Trail safety |
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Energy management |
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Riding different types of transitions |
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Bike control and handling skills |
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Cornering ability, breaking points and exit speed |
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Increasing your speed and rhythm |
You need to bring:
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Packed lunch and plenty of bottled drinks (non fizzy) |
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Towel* |
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Old sports clothes and long sleeve top (preferably shorts, not jeans) |
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Jacket/Fleece |
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Warm clothes for changing into |
*Please note, in traditional biker fashion we often get changed at the trail car park if needed, with minimal facilities for male /female separation. If you are shy, please bring an extra large towel!
We will provide:
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A mountain bike |
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Helmet |
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Back pack |
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Hot drinks |
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Safety equipment |
…and a really friendly & experienced bike coach! |
Climbing
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You need to bring:
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Packed lunch and plenty of bottled drinks (non fizzy) |
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Towel* |
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Old sports clothes and long sleeve top (preferably shorts, not jeans) |
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Jacket/Fleece |
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Warm clothes for changing into |
We will provide:
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All equipment |
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Qualified Instructors |
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Back pack |
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Safety equipment |
Canoeing & Kayaking
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You need to bring:
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Packed lunch and plenty of bottled drinks (non fizzy) |
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Towel* |
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Old sports clothes and long sleeve top (preferably shorts, not jeans) |
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Jacket/Fleece |
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Warm clothes for changing into |
We will provide:
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All equipment |
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Qualified Instructors |
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Back pack |
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Safety equipment |
NEW BTX Current Activity Calendar
Click here for the latest BTX Calendar for January – February 2011.
News and Updates
The Team Xtreme Open Day on 8th August 2010
This was a well attended event with 120 young people participating in a range of activities such as climbing, kayaking & surfing.
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View surfing pictures from the BTX project
View biking pictures from the BTX project
Project Management
BTX is managed and delivered by Bridgend County Youth Service, working in partnership with the Active Young People Department, and the Sports Council of Wales.
Meet the Team
Experienced and Qualified Leaders
Our Coordinator and Instructors are all either experienced outdoor instructors or youth workers who lead activities for both Bridgend County Youth Service and other Adventure Activity providers. BTX only uses highly experienced and qualified instructors, who have a proven track record of leading groups of young people. All of our activity leaders hold qualifications that are recognised nationally.
Our leaders are the most important link in assessing and managing risks on the ground. They regularly lead adventure activities with young people and are carefully matched to your group, the destination and the activities to be undertaken. Risk assessments are carried out, monitored and reviewed for each phase of the journey and for each activity to be undertaken. All our adventure activity leaders and Instructors are qualified in first aid and have experience of dealing with various situations and levels of competence.
For further information:
Please call Richard Williams on (01656) 724057 / 07971 271395 or
Louise Williams-Brown on (01656) 724057
Licensed
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BTX (Adventure Activities) project via Bridgend County Youth Service is fully licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority. Our experienced and friendly guides are some of the most professional you'll ever meet - they've been trained to the highest possible standard for all activities, ensuring you’ll always be in safe hands. |
BTX Project Funding
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BTX Partnerships
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BTX Association Initiatives
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- Last Updated: 13/01/2011
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