Fifth Young Snowmobilers Ride!

The Fifth Young Snowmobilers Ride was held on Sunday, Feb 9th, 2003,at Clear View Golf Course, in Val Caron. 

The young snowmobilers participating in the event learned valuable safety lessons, enjoyed an complementary lunch, earned a certificate of completion, and went on a ride! In addition to having numerous laughs and it was all for free! 

Twenty young snowmobilers ages 12 to 16 and their parents attended the event. At no cost to the participants, other then having a snowmobile with a valid trail permit. In addition, the young snowmobilers must have a Motorized Snow Vehicle Operators Licence.  

We started with a bang, the O.F.S.C. Sled Smart Education Team. If you ever get a chance to see one of their presentations, please do so. It is entertaining and very educational! Jon and Caleigh, the members of the O.F.S.C. Sled Smart Education Team, discussed riding on ice and had the young snowmobilers try the fatal vision goggles. 

Following the Sled Smart Team, Cst Norm Lamarche, from CP Police discussed the hazards of snowmobiling on and around railway tracks. Cst Lamarche played the video, " Sledding the Right Track."  Which was filmed in Sudbury! 

The Sudbury Kids Injury Prevention Collation (SKIP), conducted a workshop about frostbite and hypothermia. The young snowmobilers learned to watch for the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia! The Sudbury Kids Injury Prevention Collation (SKIP), distributed first aid fanny packs to all the young snowmobilers. The first aid kits were sponsored by SKIP.

Cst Dave Drake from the O.P.P., conducted a workshop regarding drinking and driving. Cst Drake explained what happens when you are stopped on the trails for drinking and driving. Cst Drake also explained the legal consequences of drinking and driving. 

Then it was time for lunch, Clear View Golf Course served an excellent lunch of Hot Chocolate, French Fries and a Hamburger. Lunch was sponsored by Action Sudbury.

Cst. Steve Russell of the Greater Sudbury Police Service conducted a workshop on the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act of Ontario. Cst. Steve Russell explained the law regarding young snowmobilers driving a snowmobile across the road.  In addition to the road crossing information, Cst. Steve Russell spoke on pulling a GT Racer behind a snowmobile with a rope.

Richard Riach, President of the Sudbury Trail Plan was up next. Richard's workshop was broken up into two sessions, one inside, and the second part outside. Richard spoke on trip preparation and discussed with the young snowmobilers how they should prepare themselves before going on a ride. During the second part of Richards workshop, he  displayed to the young snowmobilers how to check the snowmobile before starting the engine.

Then it’s was time to fire up the snowmobiles and test our riding skills on the obstacle course. As in the past, Sudbury Area STOP Officers designed and prepared the obstacle course. Once everyone had gone through the obstacle course, it was time to depart on our trail ride.

Out on the trail, members of Greater Sudbury Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Service, Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol and O.F.S.C. Trail Wardens were staggered through the group of young snowmobilers. When the ride returned, Spl Cst Gary Lamarche (S.T.O.P) and Renée Lefebvre (S.K.I.P.) presented the young snowmobilers with a certificate. Then it was time to say so long and we will see you on the trails.

The organizers of the Fifth Annual Young Snowmobilers Ride; S.K.I.P. Action Sudbury, S.T.O.P., Sudbury Trail Plan, O.F.S.C. Sled Smart Education Team, Sudbury E.M.S, all the police services wishes to thank the media for there support of this event! Moreover the organizers thank the participants and volunteers, without them- there would be no event!

       Click onto the photos to enlarge