The Fourth Annual Young Snowmobilers Ride

 Organizers of the fourth Young Snowmobiler Ride wishes to thank all the sponsors who helped make the event a success; S.K.I.P., Action Sudbury, S.T.O.P., Sled Smart Education Team, King Sportswear, City of Greater Sudbury & S.T.P. Without there assistance we could not hold such a successful event. We wish to thank all the presenters and volunteers, without there assistance there would be no event. We also thank all the media that attended; Sudbury Star, MCTV, BX1 and of course Northern Sno Trails!

  It was a perfect day for the Young Snowmobilers Ride, temperatures hovering around -6, 20 cm of fresh snow on the ground and light snow falling. And of course freshly groomed trails! We started with a bang, the O.F.S.C. Sled Smart Education Team. If you ever get a chance to see one of there presentations, please do so. It is entertaining and very educational, and I cannot say enough about there enthusiasm! The Sled Smart Educational Team gave each of the participants of the Young Snowmobilers Ride a Fox Forty Whistle. Cst Norm Lamarche, CP Police, presentation followed the Sled Smart Team, Cst Norm Lamarche discussed the hazards of riding a snowmobile on and around railway tracks. Cst Lamarche played the video, " Sledding The Right Track."  Which was filmed here in Sudbury, many of the people in the video were present at the Young Snowmobilers Ride.

After Cst Lamarche's presentation, we had lunch.  While enjoying our lunch, many participants tried their luck at our putting green. Of course, we needed to but an interesting twist onto the putting green. Participants turned there back to the putting green, took five steps away from the green. Put on Action Sudbury's Fatal Vision Goggles (which simulates impaired vision) turn around and walk back to the putting green. Placed the golf ball and tried to sink the golf ball into the hole, while wearing Action Sudbury's Fatal Vision Goggles!

Debbie Gray, from Sudbury Kids Injury Prevention Collation (SKIP), gave a workshop about frostbite and hypothermia. Debbie's presentation covered prevention and treatment. The participants asked many questions regarding Debbie's workshop. Debbie's presentation was very informative! After Debbie's presentation S.K.I.P. distributed 42 S.K.I.P. First Aid Kits specifically designed for the Young Snowmobilers Ride.

 Cst Dave Drake (OPP) and Cst Dan Simpson (OPP) workshop was about drinking and driving. Cst Drake started the workshop by explaining what happens when you are stopped on the trails for drinking and driving. Cst Drake also explained the legal consequences for drinking and driving. Cst Dan Simpson, a Breathalyzer technician, demonstrated the Alco tester and explained the technical aspect of obtaining supporting evidence of drinking and driving.

Cst.Scott Greenough, City of Greater Sudbury Police Service was up next. Cst Greenough covered the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act of Ontario. The young snowmobilers inquired about driving a snowmobile across the road. Cst Greenough explained that unless you have reached the full age of sixteen and have a driver's licence or a motorized snow vehicle licence you cannot drive across or upon a road. Cst Greenough also spoke on pulling a GT Racer behind a snowmobile and told the audience that when towing with a snowmobile you must use a ridged tow bar.

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

Then it 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 was through the obstacle course, it was time to depart on a trail ride.

The ride departed Whitewater Park in Azilda and travel to the Creighton Town Site Monument! At the Monument, the ride turned around and headed back to Whitewater Park. When the ride returned to Whitewater Park, everyone went back into the park building. Spl/Cst Gary Lamarche and Spl/Cst Norm Hein presented the young riders with certificates of participation, a young snowmobilers baseball cap. Moreover, each participant received a door prize.  We started at 10am and now it was 4pm, we said our good byes and wished everyone happy sledding!

Click onto the pictures below to enlarge