Submitted by, Spl Cst Norm Hein, Sudbury Area, S.T.O.P. O.F.S.C. Coordinator

The First Young Snowmobilers Ride was held on Feb 20^TH. At the Falcon Hotel, in Garson Ontario. Participants were asked to be in the Falcon Hotels Banquet room by 10:am. The ride was opened for children 12 to 16 years of age, with no costs to the participants, other then having a snowmobile with a valid Trail Permit and a valid Ontario Snowmobile Operators Licence.  

We targeted youths between 12 and 16, to teach safe snowmobile driving and to promote a friendship between the Law Enforcement Agencies and the young snowmobilers. 

Cst. Norm Lamarche, CP Police, gave a safety message about trains and snowmobiles, Cst. Lamarche played the video, "Sledding' the Right Track, which has actually taped here in Sudbury last season.

Upon completion of Cst. Norm Lamarche's presentation, Senior Cst Dave Drake of the Ontario Provincial Police commenced his presentation. Dave Spoke on ice safety, Road Crossings and Drinking & Driving. 

Janet Depatie, O.F.S.C. District 12 Governor  & President of the Sudbury Trail Plan, welcomed the young riders to the event. Janet wished all the young drivers a safe and enjoyable snowmobile experience.

After Janet Finished her presentation, Richard Riach & Kevin Campbell, O.F.S.C. Driver Trainers, give a brief over view on what a snowmobilers responsibilities are before setting out onto the trail. Then the young riders suited up and went outside for another workshop. Kevin and Richard went over the pre-ride check, with the young riders. Discussing: carrying the proper document, telling someone of there destination and time of arrival, checking the fuel, drive belt, carbides and a host of other pre-checks.

Upon completion of the outside work shop, the young riders started there snowmobiles and began driving through the obstacle course, designed by the Sudbury Area Stop Officers. The Obstacle course consisted of: a left sharp turn, four way intersection,  S-curve, sharp right dog leg turn, straight away, slow winding left turn and a mock railway crossing.

Upon completion of the obstacle course, the group lined up for a group photo. Then it was off for a ride to Coniston and back.

Upon returning to the banquet room, the group enjoyed some pop and popcorn. While enjoying the pop and popcorn, some of the young riders tried Action Sudbury's Impairment stimulation Goggles.

Spl/Cst Gary Lamarche, S.T.O.P., Sudbury Area, give the young riders a Quiz on snowmobiles, with some related snowmobile safety issues.

Upon completion of Gary's segment, Spl/Cst Real Demore held a brief session regarding the snowmobile Bylaws, in the Sudbury area. Real informed the young riders of the rules against riding on the sidewalks, riding in municipal parks, idling on area lakes and speed limits on area lakes.

When Real finished, pizza, pop and Hot chocolate was served.

When everyone was finished eating, Cst Carl Hoag, Sudbury Regional Police  Service, lead a segment regarding, speeding on the trails, careless & dangerous driving.

After Carl was finished, Spl/Cst Mark Zinger (STOP) called out the participants names and asked them to come to the front. Spl/Cst Gary Lamarche (STOP) give each of the participants a safe snowmobile package. The package consisted of; " DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR SLED IS?" flyer, (the flyer contains the following valuable information, Nationally Approved Snowmobile Hand Signals, what an Emergency Kit Should Contain, Safe ice chart, Snowmobiling Fun Safety Quiz and a "I KNEW THAT quiz"), Operation Lifesaver Safety Pamphlet, How organized Snowmobiling makes winter gold work for Ontario Pamphlet, C.P. Police ruler with a printed safety message, C.P. Police Pen with a printed safety message, Special Edition O.F.S.C 1999-2000 book, Action Sudbury Operation Lookout poster, CP Police handout on Bill C-21 (Railway Safety Act), The Family Guide to Safe and Responsible Snowmobiling book, Ride Safe- Ride Sober Pamphlet, Action Sudbury Operation Lookout pamphlet, You Make Snowmobiling Safe Pamphlet, Impaired drivers are playing Russian Roulette with your life pamphlet, FOX 40 safety whistle, Action Sudbury balloon, Action Sudbury Pen, Two hot pad hand warmers, call police banner, Action Sudbury Magnet, Don't Drink & Ride sticker, Stop Area Key Chain, Licence folder from Sudbury Trail Plan, Sled Smart decals from the O.F.S.C, A don't drink & ride  Licence folder with a wind chill chart & a ice thickness chart, a big nickel and a Region of Sudbury Pin.

After receiving the safe Snowmobiling package, Cpl .J.R.Roy, Royal Canadian Mounted Police presented each of the participants a certificate of Completion and a First Young Snowmobilers Ride Crest.

After receiving there certificates, the young riders picked up a door prize, one of the following: a snowmobilers first aid kit, snowmobile mask and a flashlight.

Spl/Cst Norm Hein (STOP), on behalf of the Sponsors: Sudbury Community Focus Group, Action Sudbury, STOP Sudbury Area, Nickel Belt Snow Spirits Snowmobile club, Sudbury Trail Plan,  thanked all the participants for attending and hoped to see them all again next year, Norm Also thanked John from the R.C.M.P, Dave from the O.P.P, Norm from CP Police, Carl & Steve from S.R.P.S, All the STOP Volunteers, Richard & Kevin the O.F.S.C Driver Trainers, O.F.S.C Trail Wardens, NBSS Club Volunteers, S.T.P Volunteers, Members of the local media; MCTV, Sudbury Star, Northern Life, The Box and Q92. Without there assistance the Organizing Committee could not have provided such a great event!