Conquer the Crunch

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Coquitlam is blessed with a natural community asset known as the Coquitlam Crunch. Although it has been a local feature for many years, the Crunch really took off in 2012 when stairs was built on the lower steep section just off Lansdowne Drive. Then, in 2017, another set of stairs was added to parallel the first set. There are 437 steps on the original set of stairs and 457 on the second, and it’s free, open all year-round, and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The full Crunch experience It’s not just about the stairs. If you want the full experience, you should start in the parking lot located between Scott Creek Middle School and Eagle Ridge Elementary school off Lansdowne Drive. From the parking lot, the trail goes up, crosses Lansdowne and then it is up the stairs. Which set you go up is your choice. This is the steepest part of the trail.

You will then cross Lansdowne Drive again at the top of the stairs, and then you are on a gradual rise that will take you across two more streets. The one-way trip is 2.27 kilometres and gains more than 270 metres in elevation! Crunch tips Worried about your stair stamina? Here are five tips to help you conquer the Coquitlam Crunch. 1. Decide what kind of workout you want. If you want an intense workout, do circuits on the stairs. You can go in one direction to begin with and then change direction to switch things up. If you want more of an endurance workout, then don’t just stay on the stairs; continue to the top. Your heart is pumping at the start, then you keep going on the gradual rise to the top of the trail. 2. Remember the Crunch is south-facing. That means on hot days, the trail really heats up. So, bring a hat and water. If you forget, Northside Four Square Church often has a table with cold water by the trail in the summer. 3. If you want to avoid the heat, early morning or late evening is the best time to go. This is also the best time to observe the wildlife on the trail. Deer are common visitors among the wild roses, but you may also see snakes, hummingbirds, bunnies, coyotes and even bears. 4. Bringing along a furry four-legged friend?When you cross David Avenue, you will walk right by a dog park. There is a water pipe there for your dog’s refreshment. 5. If you want to make this a social activity, then there is another way to enjoy the Crunch. Starting in April through to September, there is a drop-in group called the Coquitlam Craft Crunchers that walk the Crunch one evening per week, starting at 7 pm from the parking lot of the Mariner Brewery on Barnet and Lansdowne. This turns the walk into a 7-kilometre round trip, ending off with some food and drinks back at the brewery. Learn more about this group on Marine Brewing’s Facebook page. n Alex Bell is a Coquitlam Crunch enthusiast and founder of the Coquitlam Crunch “Diversity” Challenge fundraiser (coquitlamcrunch.com), which happens in the second weekend of September. Conquer the Crunch! 5 tips to help you crush the famed Coquitlam Crunch hike By Alex Bell PHOTO COURTESY ALEX BELL

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

We row crew

From teens to seniors, there are many opportunities in the Tri-Cities to get out on the water with this social sport

In the 2010 film The Social Network, the mantra “We row crew” was reflective of the sport of the Harvard elite, when, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s an accessible, social sport that has benefits far beyond the fibreglass shell. Here in the Tri-Cities, residents have many options to get out on the water, but rowing is one activity that can accommodate a wide range of abilities and ages. The Inlet Rowing Club was established in 2000 and makes its home at the Old Mill Boathouse in Port Moody, adjacent to Rocky Point Park. It’s an organization whose goal is to promote the sport with exciting and fun opportunities to try rowing by catering to the needs of both recreational and competitive rowers. They also have skilled coaches on hand to help members reach their personal goals. According to Christine Dyson, head coach at the Rowing Club, the sport is a great way to foster community, especially among their youth members. It is an easy way to segue into a sport at a later age with very few barriers to entry. Other than having to meet a minimum size requirement to fit safely into the boat, it is a sport that can grow with you into your later years. Many rowers, including Dyson, discover the sport after an injury.

“I came to rowing after a knee injury as it’s a nonBy Andrea Jabour

weight bearing, low-impact sport that allows for allover body work,” says Dyson. “Our oldest member is well into his 70s, but just started two years ago!”

The youth program at the Inlet Rowing Club is a great place to start if you have a teen interested in getting out on the water. Most start at age 14, but some can start at 11 or 12 if they are tall enough.

The club has a Learn-to-Row program for people who have never experienced rowing before. It is a six-lesson commitment with the goal of having the participant row proficiently in a quad (four rowers). It allows a taste of the sport, which can then lead to a competitive youth racing scenario or a recreational program. Learn-to-Row programs start in May or June, depending on interest levels.

This year, Coach Dyson is looking for eager teens who have an interest in rowing to compete at the 2020 BC Summer Games in Maple Ridge. The club is hoping to enter in both the Under 15 and Under 19 age categories. Currently, the Port Moody area doesn’t have a team for the younger age category, and Dyson would love to find some eager rowers to work with.

For more information on all the programs offered at the Inlet Rowing Club, you can visit inletrowingclub.com. n