Page 50 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 92

50 Issue #92 September 2020 www.sportsenergynews.com

Ski Walking at Summerstown Trails

By Jean Pierre Tibi very pleased with the addition of this

program. “This is the first time that

es, the first snowfall is still many FOTST will offer programming outside
Ymonths away, but now is the time the winter season, and we thank René
to think about pre-season preparation for leading this new initiative.” He
for the cross-country ski season. also went on to add, “In these times of
With this in mind, the Friends of the physical distancing, the width of our
Summerstown Trails (FOTST) will be trails and being outdoors allows us to
offering a new program this year called apply the measures recommended by
ski walking. the health authorities. But remember to
One-hour sessions will be offered bring your mask for the intro part.”
every Sunday throughout the fall at This program will be free for FOTST
10:00 a.m., starting September 13th at members and for kids aged 12 and
the trailhead parking lot. The sessions under. A one-time registration fee of
will be led by FOTST member René $10 will apply to all other participants.

Sauvé, a certified NCCP instructor The only recommendation is that ski
who says that “cross-country skiers are walkers bring their own set of walking
built in the fall.” René also leads the poles or ski poles. Disinfected ski poles
Jackrabbit and Learn-to-Ski programs will be available for those who don’t
in the wintertime for the Summerstown have any. For more information and
Coyote Nordic Club. to register, visit the FOTST website at Photo Submitted
As the name implies, there will be lots www.summerstowntrail.com.
of walking involved with ski walking, The trails are situated on activities in the Summerstown Forest. Many activities are offered, such as
but it will be walking with a XC skiing Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of In recent years, an impressive amount races, instructional lessons, outings
purpose. Some of the exercises for the exit 804 of the 401. of progress has been made, especially for schools, and seniors and Family
participants include walking with poles, About FOTST: The Friends of the with the addition of a new parking lot Day activities. Rental of XC ski and
ski walking, ski striding, ski hopping, Summerstown Trails (FOTST) is on County Rd. 27; also, trails have snowshoe packages and fat bikes
etc. Dynamic stretching movements incorporated as a non-profi t group run been improved and expanded and is also offered on weekends. The
and balance exercises will also be part by volunteers with a stated mandate new grooming equipment and signage Summerstown Trails are located on
of the program. to maintain and develop green, installed. A portion of the snowshoe Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of
FOTST president Vic Leroux is recreational trails for healthy outdoor trails are now groomed for fat biking. exit 804 of the 401.

Seaway Valley Minor Hockey Prepares

for Upcoming Season

tario Health Unit, and municipality are-
By Molly Kett
nas decide what we can do. Of course,
OVID-19 has been creating a variety should things change with the powers
Cof challenges across the globe, and that be during September through De-
it’s no different for Cornwall’s minor cember, things could be changed again.”
hockey scene. We recently spoke with ing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette,

Mark Desnoyers, President of the Seaway As far as new rules go, there can be no and wearing a mask when required.
Valley Minor Hockey Association about more than 50 players and staff per bub- These actions are so critical in limiting
ble. However, Seaway Valley will have
what the new world of hockey will look the spread of this virus and protecting
20 players per bubble due to the regu-
like for the organization. ourselves and one another.”
lations made by the City of Cornwall.
This year, the minor hockey season will There will be no games, no leagues, and Due to the current circumstances, no
look quite a bit different. no tournaments. teams are being formed at this time as
there are no leagues to play in. Regis-
“At this point, there are no leagues,” “The rules are easy to follow but having
says Desnoyers. “This season will be so many puts a lot of stress on the coach- tration ends on August 31st and players

two-fold. The first half will run from es,” says Desnoyers. “We would like will then be placed into bubbles early in

September to December and players will to remind players, families, volunteers, September, with ice time starting at two
50-minute sessions per week.
be isolated in age-group bubbles for skill coaches, and officials of the importance

development and scrimmages with each of following the established public health “So far, this has been the most challeng-
other. After December, we have to wait protocols. This includes self-monitoring ing year for everyone in hockey. Who
to see what the Provincial Government, for symptoms, completing COVID-19 knows what we are in store for next,”
Hockey Eastern Ontario, the Eastern On- screening assessments, physical distanc- says Desnoyers.