M’CHIGEENG—Organizers of the Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Snowmobile Fun Run, held last week, were very pleased with the results.
“Yes, we were very happy with the way things went, especially in holding this event for the first time,” stated Allan Davy, a teacher at MSS and main organizer of the event. The snowmobile fun run was held on Thursday and Friday of last week. “I know the kids who took part thought it was awesome and next year we are planning to open it up to the community as well.”
On Thursday several educational sessions were held for the students, said Mr. Davy. He explained Peter Tallman hosted about seven students in an outdoor survival training course, along with Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer Al Haner, who demonstrated to the students how to start a fire from flint (among other things) as part of the survival training. Monic Shaw of EMS talked about the proper way to take a helmet off a person who has been involved in a snowmobile accident and what to do prevent (as well as what to do if) hypothermia has set in. Brad Middleton of the Manitoulin Snowdusters Snowmobile Club provided information on the use of groomers for trails, signage, landowner insurance, where the money goes for those who pay their snowmobile trail permits and trails on the Island.
On Friday, the students, teachers and officers representing both the Manitoulin OPP and UCCM Anishinabek Police Services went on a long ride with their snowmachines. “We left the school (MSS) with 15 riders. On the way one of the student’s snowmachines broke down right at the Gibraltar Road crossing and one kid had a belt blow on their machine, but this is all part of having a snowmachine and overall things worked out well,” said Mr. Davy.
“We had perfect conditions for the ride, it was cold but sunny, and the Snowdusters have done a great job on getting the snowmobile trails groomed and ready,” said Mr. Davy. The snowmobilers travelled from MSS down through the Manitou and Sandfield area, stopped in Manitowaning for gas and had a chili lunch at Green Acres Restaurant in Sheguiandah. The group travelled just over 90 miles in total and after leaving at 9 am arrived back at MSS at 2:40 pm.
Mr. Davy said plans are already in the works for next year’s fun run, which will be open to community members as well.
