Youth News
The flag drops with kids Pro Ice racing.
‘Thumb Fun’—Kids Pro Ice
by Joel Kunz
Ice event in Weyauwega, Wisconsin, near my home. Food, There are a lot of activities that to this writer and former coach lodging, gas and community information is important to that are worth the effort if done properly and in the spirit of those visiting, and am sure some area businesses have not giving to a sport by teaching the younger generation. That for considered. With more families participating, that will change. sure is those involved in youth snowmobile racing, an effort that is also starting to drive innovation on the manufacturer I had the pleasure of talking about this with Beau Mannino level. On a level of true charitableness, a group of enthusiasts from Kid’s Pro Ice. He has two children participating and has get together in a non-profit organization with a few simple been involved for a number of years. Basically, from what I things in mind. Those things are based on a true family could gather there are five clubs with two based in Wisconsin, helping family experience, mentorship and young people two based in Minnesota and one in Canada. Together they learning to work with others in what can be often difficult form a tight-knit community of people who do their best to circumstances....and conditions. What can be better than enjoy a winter sport that can often be challenging on machines that in a digital world where interaction that can—as any and all do—break with your peers and adults together is down. I found stories of families helping limited. Starting at age 4 and open to families by providing a spare motor to kids until 16, age and horsepower in a someone who had blown one so that the well thought out and sanctioned group youngster can race. Then, when that kid of clubs provide an amazing opportunity won first place and beat the one whose for people beyond those just racing. family he got the motor from, both As a former baseball coach and team families got together and shared in the organizer I can see how those involved experience. The Kid’s Pro Ice website have the potential to be a positive says it pretty clearly, “Our mission is to influence in not only their children’s promote sportsmanship and friendship life and growth but in others around A serious Pro Ice competitor. through our passion for snowmobiles them and the communities they visit. and racing.” Sponsorship and industry involvement in the growth are certainly something anyone reading this There is a great deal of mentorship and interaction with the should consider. With the manufacturers’ obvious growth in kids who participate. Some kids are there to enjoy the day, be snowmobiles geared towards the younger riders and statistics with friends, have fun riding fun machines and enjoy the day. showing a younger average snowmobile owner, with a family, Beau mentioned his daughter as one of those kids, with his it is easy to see that there are good things happening at this son being the ultra competitive type who is looking to win if level of the sport. he can. These families also travel, bringing tourism dollars into other communities. I was surprised to learn of numerous families who traveled from Minnesota to be involved in the Fire on 22
What was neat to hear was how he described race day. He described it as a team effort to create an individual event. That is where the spare motor story hit home and how he talked
Minnesota Snowmobiling
