Softball supremacy!
The Wiky Travellers recently won the Softball Championship at CFB (Canadian Forces Base) in North Bay. The tournament known as the ‘Silver Foxes Annual’ is a tough go but the Travellers with some additions prevailed to take the victory. Among the players were: Warren Simon, Ronnie Jackson, Lawrence Enosse, Cliff O’Malley and former Manitoulin Islanders Junior A, star goalie Billy Stone. The Championship game was a nail-biting, 5-4 triumph. Way to go guys!
Around the Bay (to beer!?)
It is always exciting to hear of another event on Manitoulin that may help inspire us to get out and be more active. The newest endeavour is also for a good cause. The Gore Bay/Gordon /Barrie Island Volunteer Fire Department is organizing a 5 km and 8 km Walk/Run Around the Bay on July 23rd at 10 AM. As a kick-off to Gore Bay’s Harbour Days, the departments hope to encourage community fitness and raise funds for needed fire department equipment.
Local business sponsors have already been very generous and they hope that their slogan of “Come Run for Us” will be taken to heart by Island residents and their visitors. Here is one example of one local entrepreneur that is putting their wares on the line, so to speak. Now, those that have run a race of any length will agree that keeping things “down” after such an effort is paramount, so downing a beer might not be top of mind! However, Split Rail Brewing Company will be there offering free samples to all runners of a certain age. I’m sure once your breath has returned so will your thirst, then soon after your thirst for a great locally brewed, craft beer.
Participants can also benefit from an early-bird registration though the Sudbury Rocks running club or the Running Room websites. Sudbury Rocks is at sudburyrocks.ca (click on Events for July 23rd), or in-person, manually at the Gore Bay Municipal Centre. For more information please contact: Skip Bloxham via email at skipbloxham@gmail.com or give him a call at: 705-210-0785.
Haweater Paddle Challenge
Local kayaker Steve Arthurs is involved with the foundation of a great new activity for the annual Haweater Weekend. The goal is to hopefully tap into the many new paddlers who have taken on the sport of kayaking and canoeing. Haweater is set for the Civic Holiday weekend in August and the Paddle Challenge looks to be a great addition. Organizer are not putting exact distances on the challenge and will make decision depending on the weather of the day. As it stands, teen, youth and masters 55-plus will all be the same distance, likely under 3 km. In the adult 18-plus and Open will hopefully be out to Narrow Island and back somewhere under 6 km. Kayak and canoes are both welcome.
Paddlers are asked to be at the Low Island Beach between 12:30 and 130 for registration with the Teen race set for 2 pm sharp. To follow are the 6 – 10 year old Youth race. The Masters, Teen, Adult and finally the Open division. For more information or pre-registration please contact Steve at: 705-862-2324.
Express Hockey School
The Espanola Express Junior A organization is preparing to offer another hockey school again this year. It is open to all youth ages 7 years and older of all skill levels and promises fun and excitement in their week long camp. The hockey school will once again be instructed by NHL former player and Express Head Coach Tom McCarthy, along with former semi pro player and Express Co-Coach Jason Rapcewicz as well as some of your favourite Espanola Express Junior A players.
The fun starts on Monday, August 22nd and goes daily until Friday, August 26. Players will attend the camp from 9 am to 4 pm daily, lunches will be provided by the Espanola Express for the week. Players will be on the ice for two hours each day, one hour in the am and 1 hr. in the pm, indoor and outdoor activities, classroom setting learning as well as one hour daily swimming in the pool with lifeguards. Hockey School attendees will also receive their own Express jersey and personal water bottle.
The express players will be at the camp all week long and will participate in all the activities with the youth as well as helping to tie skates. The camp will be held at the Espanola Recreational Complex for the duration of the week. Cost of the week long camp is $400 plus HST.
For more information or to register visit the team’s site at www.espanolaexpress.com.
A good sport is good for sports
chipstoquips@gmail.com
