Sports Norfolk, Summer 2013

Our Athletes Our Teams Our History Free Magazine Summer 2013 Volume 1 Issue 1 norfolkhub.ca

Jumpstart the Swim Page 14

Sports Norfolk Summer 2013 1 Photo by CindyPichette.com

Sports Norfolk, a division of The Norfolk Hub Box 99, RR#3 Simcoe ON N3Y 4K2 Phone: (519) 428-1777 Publishers: Dave & Monica Scott editor@sportsnorfolk.ca www.norfolkhub.ca

Any reproduction of this publication without permission is prohibited. Opinions and comments within this publication are those of the writers and not necessarily that of Sports Norfolk or the Norfolk Hub.

Why Sports?

Why Now? ~ Dave Scott

As a kid growing up, one of my favourite pieces to read was SI (Sports Illustrated) it was without a doubt the king of kings (Muhammad Ali), the inside look at sports and your favourite athletes…

I still remember the covers with The Great One, Bird, Magic, Montana, and Jordan… it was the, be all, end all, for the sports fan.

As a kid it was what I lived for… playing the games… road hockey…. baseball… our block Olympics… our neighbourhood kids were always doing

something… every game, we took on the persona of our sporting heroes.

Well we at the Hub, decided it was time to recognize our own sporting legends right here in Norfolk, both young and old, across a variety of different sporting endeavours… to talk about our athletes, our teams, our organizations, our history… to tell their stories… so Sports Norfolk was created!

So here it is enjoy! Our first big story is on Chris Peters who will be swimming

from Long Point to Port Dover… one of our own, making a difference to help others!

Follow us on Twitter, like us on facebook, check us out on YouTube, SportsNorfolk.ca and at our website, www.norfolkhub.ca.

10 Questions with Scot One of the pieces we will be doing in Sports Norfolk will be talking to athletes, young and old… sort of a profile… 10 fun questions to see who they are! First up:

Scot Brockbank, owner/operator of north shore runners ∙ swimmers ∙ cycle Sport you did as a kid?

Scot: Played rep football at age 10 in Mississauga Who was your favourite athlete as a kid?

Scot: Runner Steve Prefontaine Sports poster hanging in your room as a kid?

Scot: Farrah Fawcett!

I said sports!

Scot: OH! Mark Spitz!

Hardest sporting event you ever did?

Scot: Death Race 125km relay run!

2 Summer 2013 Sports Norfolk

Your biggest sports moment?

Scot: Every race with the north shore runners stands out!

Your next challenge?

Scot: Half Iron Man in Michigan this August.

Hardest sport to train for?

Scot: Swimming – it’s all about great form!

What drives you?

My dad, he is a great role model. He always keeps striving… and says, “Set your mind to it and you can do it!”

Favourite sports quote?

Scot: To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. ~ Prefontaine Advice to others in sports?

Scot: Do what you love… love what you do!

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AVOIDING SUMMER RELATED INJURIES ~ Jeff Scott RPT, Kin Great Lakes Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine

Summer is upon us and if you’re like most Canadians, we’re all looking forward to getting outside and enjoying the better weather!

As we increase our activity levels, whether it be by running, cycling, organized sports or even gardening, it is very important to remember that our bodies may not be used to the increased physical demands. It is completely normal for the body to experience a few aches and pains as it adapts to these new activities, and for most of us, these will be temporary.

The typical summer related injuries include sore low backs and necks from increases in lifting, bending and stooping activities such as from cleaning the garage, yard work or starting that new yoga class. More serious injuries can include ankles and knees from running, or often shoulders from at or above shoulder height activities like throwing, lifting or reaching. Most of

4

Summer 2013 Sports Norfolk

these injuries can actually be avoided or their severity limited with a little preventative maintenance such as stretching or gradually increasing your activity levels.

Often people decide to ‘get the job done’ and spend an extended period of time doing activities that they are not used to doing – like cutting a tree or getting the patio furniture out with that big heavy umbrella holder! So this being said, it’s often a good idea to break big jobs up over a few days – or at least be willing to take a break halfway through them.

If you are getting ready to rejoin the summer slo-pitch or soccer team and actually intend to participate in more than just the after game festivities then it’s a good idea to get used to a general stretching routine that’s specific to your sport. The muscles and joints do benefit from a warm up and the new way of thinking is more of a ‘ballistic’ warm

up. These ballistic-type warm-ups can include light lunges, step ups, jumping jacks, short and easy wind sprints, and perhaps torso rotations. These activities aren’t meant to be strenuous, however can mean the difference between tolerating the activity well or placing yourself at risk for injury.

Whatever your activity levels are, remember that it’s always beneficial to gradually re-introduce your body to increased physical demands by taking breaks, stretching or warming up. Have a fantastic summer, and enjoy the great weather!

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Play

~ Charlie Upshall

It may well be that it is play, not work, that civilizes us, touching us with such qualities as excellence, determination, character and beauty.

Even as we age, a part of many of us follows our teams intently and cares how they do, or we sit in the stands to cheer robustly for our children, grandchildren and other young athletes.

In sports, whatever the time of year, there is something new and, usually, exciting to look forward to. I have loved and followed sports for sixty years, from Hillary and Tenzing conquering Mt. Everest, Roger Bannister's breaking the four minute mile barrier and Don Larsen's perfect game in the World Series, all from the 1950's, right up to the highs and lows of the Leafs playoff run this spring and the current attempt to build a competitive Blue Jays team.

Yes, I love sports. I acknowledge that not everyone does, but likely the readers of this magazine already know, or will get to know, that the passion for sports, if not always logical, can, in fact, offer us so many hours of comfort, peace, sharing and a lifetime of calling up feelings and special memories. In my columns, I hope that you can enjoy taking a few moments to allow me to share my thoughts, as there are few things, outside of family, that I have savoured as much as sports.

Dave suggested that I say a few things about myself so that you would know a bit of who I am. I would like to think that the writing will reveal that. I can

say that I am a relatively recent arrival in Norfolk, having moved here with my wife seven years ago from York Region.

I was a life-long educator and oft-times coach. I myself have over the decades competed in soccer, hockey, fastball, slo-pitch, tennis, track and field, crosscountry and long distance running with my competitive career culminating in some ways with my selection four times to the Canadian National Team for the World Championships in ultrarunning at 100km (France) and 24 Hours (Quebec, South Korea, Italy). I also participated recreationally in various other athletic endeavours and I believe they all provided learning opportunities, friendships and memories.

Sport is intended for enjoyment, but it is also intended to challenge the participant. It makes us push our bodies to their perceived limits, it tests our emotions for weakness and it forces us to overcome discouragement.

Sometimes our lungs may seem to burn, old injuries impair us, our muscles tighten, the wearying pace slows our progress, and still we struggle to the finish. We do not want to be quitters.

Occasionally, miraculously, sometimes the speed of the game seems to slow down to accommodate our skills, or we feel lighter and smoother, and we triumph in the moment's contest. All our sports times are worthwhile, just in different ways.

Think about it, the sporting experience is an experience of

discovering limits, but what a time we can have trying to extend those limits.

Hopefully, we can find a sport where we can treasure trying to reach our limits.

We will likely not attain the prowess of the elites, but in our attempts, we can experience the feelings and occasional exquisite accomplishments at our level.

That is another reason to take part or to support through spectating; you never know for sure what will happen - as is said, that's why they play the game.

Also we need to remember that we never need to be the best to benefit from and enjoy our sports.

The point of sports may be to lead us to a more intense and fuller mode of being, to help us to maximize our time.

In addition to all these philosophical benefits of sport, it is most likely that physical and mental health positives will accrue as well.

Yes, it is no wonder we love sports.

I hope you can spend some of your summer engaged in games, as well as supporting other Norfolk athletes, such as those featured in this magazine.

As I liked to say to my cross-country runners before the start of every race, "Have fun, hurry back."

Sports Norfolk Summer 2013

5

Mark Gamble riding through the trails at Eco-Adventures

Explore Norfolk Trails ~ Payden Shrubb, BES, MFC

There are exciting things happening in Norfolk County for outdoor recreation and eco-tourism lovers.

With summer here, many are gearing up to get outside and the anticipation is building.

A useful new tool that will aid outdoor enthusiasts this season became available May 1st of this year; a website that profiles all trails within Norfolk County. The website, named Explore Norfolk Trails will help users find trails based on activity or location within the county. You will also have the ability to search where you are on a trail in relation to accommodations, food (restaurants, farms, markets), heritage features and other points of interest. The website will also have various driving routes throughout the county, including a heritage route, stewardship route, and local wine, beer and spirits route (for when the LCBO goes on strike). The website was launched on May 1st, with a mobile compatible version launched 2 Summer 2013 Sports Norfolk

6

weeks after.

The construction of the website began last September and involved the creation of many partnerships and relationships with different organizations and businesses. The organizations that spearheaded the project include the Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Norfolk County and the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation.

One of the businesses at the heart of it all is Long Point Eco-Adventures.

Located in Turkey Point, with a world-class view and a whole host of activities, it only makes sense that the trail networks also be linked there.

This place is a hot spot for all things outdoor and eco-related. The company itself offers some amazing outdoor adventures right in Norfolk County. As well the Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club has setup shop there, with one of their main trail heads for the mountain bike trails located there, along with a

brand new bike wash station for after those muddy rides. With over 50 km of single track mountain bike trails there, you’re bound to find your favourite trail in Ontario.

From ziplining, kayaking, and mountain biking, to astronomy, and educational boat tours to the tip of Long Point, they have something to offer pretty much anyone looking for a cool, new, outdoor experience.

For those who may not be that interested in mountain biking, there are still plenty of trails available to you, both at Long Point Eco-Adventures and throughout Norfolk County. There are hiking trails and rail trails spread throughout the area, each with their own unique features and points of interest along them.

With all the trail and outdoor opportunities available in the area, there’s no need for an excuse to head outside for the day and enjoy all that the area has to offer!

LPW’s REC Long Point Waterfowl’s Research and Education Centre ~ Rob Smith (with sidekick Abby) Wetlands and marshes seem to have created to highlight the centre and by LPW and its many partners in the a universal appeal for those who can promote the work that is being done research and conservation fields. appreciate the outdoors and what they have to offer. These areas team with life… in the air above them… on E “HM13” D O C O M any solid ground in them… on their PRO an Eco adventure for 10% off waters… under their waters… and even in the silty bottoms beneath their waters.

They help to clean our lakes and rivers and the calming effect of the plants and vegetation along wind and current-swept waters, helps prevent erosion along fragile shorelines.

We are very fortunate to live in an area that has a few thousand acres of internationally significant wetlands. The Long Point area is part of the Mississippi Flyway and thousands of birds stop on their way to the summer breeding grounds and then again on the return trip to their winter homes in the south. winery tours Because of all this bird activity, a great number of people visit the area each year. r ough Birders, nature lovers, tourists, sports zippin’htehtrees t enthusiasts and many people in the scientific community come to view, study and protect these marvellous areas.

All these people need a place to stay, fare local food mping a c f o and that is where Long Point Waterfowl’s d my kin Research and Education Centre (REC) comes into the picture. The REC, as it is affectionately known, is located on rush hour forty acres just north of Turkey Point. It ZIP & SIP ines was acquired under lease by Long Point award-winning w PACKAGES Waterfowl (LPW) in 2006 to be used as AVAILABLE picnics in the vineyards a base camp for visiting researchers, biologists and students. The idea was to inery.ca give them a cost effective place to stay w n l i k g n i 58 burn in the Long Point area while doing their hangin’ out 19-586-98tique 5 stars the with studies and research. etail Bou vents • R orporate E C

• Over the years, the use of the centre has grown and it is now host to a variety our of guests. It has been used by several G POIN 1-877-743-T N ine ation, div television film crews, world renowned rs and destin u y e To c rn ia u jo od ing • Z iTh e Teambuild scientists and biologists, school groups, e Tour W • Corporat ivities Free Win F This ad. ct o A a copy scouts and the list goes on.

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Jessie VandenBussche Photo by Curtis Martin

STRONG, FREE & HAPPY ACROSS Ontario!

Jessie’s Journey

~ Dave Scott

Over the years, Monica and I have had the opportunity to work with oh so many great kids and leaders at our NYCA Summer Camp… and as the years go by, you try to keep in touch with the leaders as they grow up, but they go off, do their thing and the next time you see them they are all grown up!

Jessie VandenBussche is one of those great leaders; her bright, friendly smile has welcomed kids to camp for many years.

The quality I most admire in Jessie is her positive outlook. I have watched her work her magic at camp with kids; helping everyone have fun and feel good about themselves. Her

8 Summer 2013 Sports Norfolk

energy would simply entwine those around her and soon everyone was participating, having a great time.

A few months ago Jessie told me she was going to bike across Canada to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

I was impressed that Jessie was ready to take on such a huge challenge. Knowing her over the years I was not surprised… but none the less I was worried, even though I knew Jessie would put in the training and do all the right things to prepare herself… her dedication and drive would be her fuel.

I could see the change in Jessie, sure she was still the same

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Certified camp leader, but I recognized the maturing of a person who saw her own strength and conviction, who is now understanding the essence of her being.

The realization of helping others and educating folks about mental health has become as much of a journey as the bike ride itself.

Jessie truly believes the studies that state physical fitness can help folks battling mental illness. Getting out and getting active is being recognized as an essential and accessible part of a treatment plan, hence the name, Strong, Happy & Free Across Canada.

She tells me that there have been points in her life, where she has needed to consciously search for good in the world, bouncing back from her depressive symptoms stronger and more passionate than ever before.

Being the smart young lady that she is, she realized that if this could happen to her, it could happen to others. One in five Canadians will face mental health issues in their lifetime, which brings us to the vision and mission of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

CMHA Vision: Mentally healthy people in a healthy society.

CMHA Mission: As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness.

The ride begins in mid June on the East Coast and Jessie plans on going as far west as she can with the resources she has at her disposal. Her goal is to finish at Beaver Creek in late summer.

If you would like to donate or get involved with the ride please contact Jessie through her website, www. strongfreehappy.ca.

Jessie, I want you to know that Monica and I are both proud of you and all that you are accomplishing… you have become a leader and a role model for many to follow… keep smiling!

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Jessie is cycling across Ontario to promote physical activity as means to mental health; to unite communities in sustainable physical activity; and to raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association.

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A Breed Apart: Life as a “Rent-a-Goalie” ~ Adam Liefl

Mid-afternoon and I’m sitting at my desk when my cell phone rings. I don’t recognize the number; however, being a 519, I infer two possible reasons why this unknown person is calling: either my car is ready to be picked up from the shop, or someone needs a goalie tonight. My car is sitting here in the parking lot.

We are the scabs of hockey’s late night/weekend shifts, often called at a moment’s notice by a complete stranger in dire need of replacement labour. The next call may mean a 9:30 playoff game tonight in Port Dover, one, if not backto-back Sunday morning shinny hours in Delhi, a Saturday night special in Waterford, or perhaps a Monday night Steelworkers’ league game against the very same team I played for last week. A “rent-a-goalie” can never be sure. But we have no allegiances; we simply welcome the chance to play.

Goaltenders certainly are a breed apart. Our idiosyncrasies have seen us fall into the nook of being the most appreciated, yet most isolated player on a team; the smartest, yet weirdest; most athletic, yet least athletic; the loudest on the ice, yet quietest in the dressing room; and when needed in a pinch, a person worthy of making grown men and women kneel before us in adoration, only to have those same worshippers immediately feed us to an opposing team like a hunk of raw meat before a pack of starving wolves. From eight years old, I’ve come to accept each of these dichotomies as part of what makes us who we are as goaltenders – hated and loved.

I moved to Norfolk County five years ago when I took a

job at 98.9 myFM. Before moving here, I lived for a short time in Toronto where I was actually part of a goalie “registry,” where at any time, by any group, I could be called upon as a replacement. And get this – adult goalies, regardless of skill level, are sometimes paid for their service. Yes, paid! (See what I mean: www.goaliestogo.com). Recreational goalies were even the subject of an award-winning comedy series aptly called “Rent-A-Goalie” about a guy who ran a rental goalie service out of a cafe. That’s how in demand goalies are at the adult level. It was a lot of expense as a kid (thanks, mom) but after missing the cut as a pro (by a long shot), all that extra equipment has become rather advantageous.

Shortly after arriving in Norfolk, I weaseled my way into the local adult hockey network – a vast and passionate one at that. I caught wind that a group of local business people were having a hard time finding regular goalies for their Friday afternoon ice time in Simcoe (perils of owning a business, I suppose) so I piped up. After my very first time out, one of the guys asked if he could have my number to pass on to others in need of a goalie (common situation across Norfolk, I learned quickly). No word of a lie, my phone rang within twenty minutes as I drove home from the rink. Since then, my cell number has gone viral here in Norfolk. And being new to the community, becoming one of Norfolk’s few “renta-goalies” has served as a great way to make friends and settle into my new home.

I have no idea who the next call may come from or where I’ll be playing, but as long as I carry around a set of pads, wherever I go, I’ll always have friends.

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Jumpstart the Swim

~ Dave Scott

If all of us could smile as much as Chris Peters, the world would be a much better place. I have known of

Chris for a long time and as young men I know our paths most likely crossed at a few social gatherings. Now he being a Simcoe boy, and I being a Dover boy, well, we never really got to know each other, but that changed I guess about five years ago when he was preparing to swim from Pottahawk to Turkey Point. We hit it off immediately, I was impressed with his swimming, but even more so with his personality. He is the type of guy that when you are his friend it is for life, and I have personally witnessed his passion and drive to help others.

We can swim our butts off for an hour or two… you feel like you are going to die as you pull yourself from the water… arms and legs are weary and tired… the exhaustion showing on your face… and then you look over and see Chris… with his great big smile on his face… and you hear him say something like, “Hey, lets do one more lap…”

The smile you see just makes you want to go with him. He is a rare commodity and most likely one of the funniest guys to hang out with!

So when Chris called and asked if I would be interested in helping out with a swim he wanted to do… I said of course.

Chris explained that since he started doing the Pottahawk swim years ago, he had this idea about swimming from Long Point to Port Dover. Somehow I bet the swim ends on the Beach House patio. A few years back, a bunch of us swam from Port Ryerse to Dover… but not Chris, he started in Turkey Point and went to Dover with his sister joining in along the way (in memory of their brother).

I kinda knew then Chris was thinking of something bigger down the road. Well last summer he got busy…

14 Summer 2013 Sports Norfolk

Chris was proud to be one of Annaleise Carr’s pacers for her journey across Lake Ontario… so this is the year for his swim.

Where did this love affair with the water begin? He reflects on the times with his two older brothers in the backyard pool. Water was very much a part of his life. He also recounts falling into the pool at a young age (scaring his mother!). Chris says when he fell in; he just naturally started to swim to the other side and climbed out. He later took swimming at the outdoor Pool in Simcoe and then at the indoor pool at the Recreation Centre in Simcoe. Swimming remained in his life until his teenage years at which time other interests took over. Hmm, I wonder what those could be?

He married Lynn, the love of his life, settled in and raised two wonderful and beautiful daughters… he didn’t really think much about swimming. He played some hockey and dabbled in other sports but that was about it…for Chris his real return to swimming happened just six years ago when he and his wife and daughters were down camping at Long Point. At the time a gentlemen name Dan Nichols was swimming from Erie to Long Point. Chris saw Dan come ashore and it got him going.

The swim intrigued Chris, restarted a fire that had been smouldering beneath the surface for years. He decided then and there it was time to get back in the water, to return to a passion he had enjoyed as a kid with his brothers and sister. At this time in his life one of Chris’s older brothers had passed away, his other brother was battling personal demons, and Chris’s sister was living in the States. His mom, who lives in this area, is somewhat of a fitness expert (Cissy Peters) and has always advised them to keep active physically. Now being in his 40’s, his perspective on life was changing; it was time to start taking on new challenges.

As fate would have it Chris’s sister had stopped into North Shore Runners in Port Dover when the owner of the store was holding court. He mentioned how he and a couple of buddies were starting an open water swim group in Port Dover. Chris’s sister called him and the next day Chris was ready to hit the open water with Scot Brockbank, John Rolf and Wayne Boswell. It turned out that Chris knew Wayne. It wasn’t long before the group was looking for an open water challenge and it was decided they would swim from Pottahawk to Turkey Point in late summer. Chris’s strength as an open water swimmer was dominant in the group; he just seemed to have another gear.

The swimming group grew from year to year and with that so did the friendships, an unspoken bond formed, each swimmer always aware of his own skills and those around him or her. If you look at the crew from last year’s big swim, you see a lot of open water swimmers, paddlers and boaters who have shared in the Pottahawk experience. The group has become that close knit family of friends always helping one another.

Like I said earlier when the call went out for crew the usual suspects were there ready for the next mission.

Mary Taylor, owner of Canadian Tire Simcoe (left) and Chris Peters The why of this swim is an interesting one‌ Chris has had the vision of swimming from Long Point to Port Dover for some time. His goal is twofold: to raise awareness of the importance of swimming as a life skill by promoting water safety, and to raise funds for Canadian Tire Jumpstart, which in turn will help provide financial support for local kids in sports, one of the main sports being swimming. According to their site, jumpstart.canadiantire.ca, Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a national charitable program that helps financially disadvantaged kids participate in organized sport and recreation. We help cover registration, equipment and/or transportation costs.

We have an extensive, national network of 332 local chapters.

Chapter members are volunteers who are committed to helping get kids active and healthy. They work in partnership with other local non-profit organizations to discreetly identify kids with the greatest need in their community. Canadian Tire Jumpstart then covers registration, equipment and/or transportation costs to help them participate in a sport or recreational activity of their choice.

We also lend support to unique initiatives aimed at increasing access to sport and recreation programs.

Since our launch in 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart has given more than 540,000 kids across Canada the chance to play.

The date that has been set for the swim is July 20th, 2013 (weather permitting), with an early morning start. Lisa Anderson, who has always wanted to do a long distance open water swim in Lake Erie, will join Chris on the swim.

Lisa is a highly qualified swimming coach with the Norfolk Hammerhead Swim Team in Simcoe, and she coached Annaleise Carr to her successful swim across Lake Ontario last August. That’s where Chris and Lisa met while they were preparing for that swim. They discovered they had lots in common, including of course, a love of swimming. He and Lisa have both been training over the winter at the Wayne Gretzky Centre and continue to train, now in the open water out of Port Dover.

The commitment Chris has undertaken for this swim is the pinnacle of his swimming career to this point. The sheer focus to want to help kids in the swimming realm is very refreshing and a fitting way to honour his family and their swimming background. I cannot think of a better person to lead this charge.

On July 20th, head for the beach in Port Dover and watch as Chris and Lisa make this historic swim, raising awareness and funds, helping our children to swim and be safe in the water.

Show your support and stop by Canadian Tire Simcoe and donate to Jumpstart or at north shore runners in Port Dover or on line at www.norfolkhub.ca There will be a celebration party at the Brig in Port Dover July 20th, 8 pm to 1 am, featuring the Shoe Shine Boys. Tickets are $20/each and available at Canadian Tire Simcoe or north shore runners in Port Dover.

Sports Norfolk Summer 2013

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THE REEL DEAL ~ With Larry Mellors

Effectively Using a Drift Sock This is the first article for the “The Reel Deal” series in this new magazine. I hope you enjoy what I have to say. You

can always reach me at focusonfishing@rogers.com.

I am always asked, what is the best way to reduce my trolling speed? Add a Kicker motor? The answer is yes, but there is another way... a cheaper and simpler way. Apply the use of a drift sock or sea anchor.

A kicker motor is not always ideal for all boat and motor packages. In the case of an older boat with a tiller engine the additional 100 pounds hanging off the port transom affects the boats performance. This application would leave you with a main engine, boat operator and kicker motor all in the rear of a narrow beam boat The cost of installing a kicker can range from approximately $3,000 to in excess of $6,000 depending on how elaborate an installation you do.

Another option, and one I suggest to everyone, is the use of a drift sock. For $50 to $100 you can purchase a drift sock.

Even if it does not result in the situation you were hoping for, drift socks can be used effectively in other situations other than trolling applications. So the purchase will not be a waste of your dollars.

A drift sock is a cone-shaped reinforced bag with a large opening at one end and a small opening at the other allowing water to flow through. Integral parts of the drift sock are the ropes or straps. They are referred to as tow lines and dump lines. The tow lines are self-explanatory - the tow rope is attached to the main harness of the drift sock. The dump line is used to “dump” the water within the sock. If you can visualize

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Drift socks are available in many diameters. A well-equipped angler should have a few sizes on board for varying conditions and situations. the drift sock being towed, there is considerable water within the cone and it would be very difficult to haul the sock back in.

The dump line is attached to the end of the drift sock which has the smaller opening. By pulling on the dump line the sock collapses allowing for easy retrieval. The dump line must be longer than the combined length of the sock and tow line.

The drift sock is put into the water and as it drags along it behaves like an anchor, hence the other name, sea anchor, slowing down the boat.

How do you know what size of a drift sock to purchase? It is dependent on the length of the boat. There are charts available to assist you with this. For example, a14 foot boat requires a drift sock of 25 to 30 inches in length, whereas, a 20 foot plus boat requires a sock 48 to 50 inches in length. To be truly effective you should purchase two drift socks. Buy one the correct size for your boat’s hull length and the other should be one size up.

That way you will have all wind and control issues covered.

If you are an open water angler that likes to fish at slow speeds, a drift sock is a must have. Drift socks also take a lot of the up and down motion away when in rough waters creating a steadier fishing platform. Bait presentation certainly improves if you can slow the boat speed and take some of the bounce out.

You will have better direct contact to the bait and less weight will be required to get you to the bottom and to keep the bait there.

High winds are a disdain to trolling anglers. Often the boat is either moving too fast or blows off course or a combination of the two. Boat control is very difficult to achieve under these conditions. A drift sock that is properly positioned really helps in this situation. When trolling the best place to put your sock is to attach it to the bow eye.

You will notice the sock will be off to one side causing the boat to turn but that can be compensated for by one of two methods - steering with the motor or applying the use of a second drift sock. If using two drift socks, employ two smaller drift socks. Attach one to each side approximately half way down the length of the boat. Experiment with both of these methods to see which one you prefer. Sometimes though, one way works better than the other depending on the winds. Make sure you are conscious of the amount of rope you let out or it can tangle in the engine.

Backtrolling is the most precision style of trolling. Very windy Continued on page 18

Sports Norfolk Summer 2013

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Health & Fitness Port Dover Health & Fitness Centre Est. 2002 In the Fall of 2002, two young brothers were looking to establish themselves in the beautiful town of Port Dover. They recognized a demand within the community

for health and fitness and wanted to offer a full service health club with a focus on rehabilitation and wellness to the citizens of Port Dover and surrounding area. After several months of planning, brothers Aron and Dr. Shawn Suprun purchased a 5,000 square foot building on Market St. West. The idea was to open a small 3,000 square foot facility and see how the public responded. The response was overwhelming.

In 2005 planning began to renovate the Fitness Centre and add an addition to accommodate and combine the existing health centre with Dr. Suprun’s growing Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Centre. The goal was to offer a complete wellness centre like no other, where health and fitness meets therapy and wellness. After several months of planning, construction began in the summer of 2006.

In November of 2007 the new Port Dover Health and Fitness Centre along with the brand new Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Centre was opened to the public. The services of the Health Centre expanded to include, group fitness classes and nutritional counselling. The amplified location now offered separate training rooms for free weight, stretching and cardio equipment.

Shawn and Aron could now work hand in hand with their services complementing each other’s. Dr. Suprun offers a variety of therapy through his office to rehabilitate his patient’s into optimal performance to meet their healthy lifestyles. He achieves this by reducing pain and inflammation while offering passive therapy to get the client back into his or her normal daily routine. Aron compliments these treatments with specific routines in the fitness centre to strengthen and stabilize the individual’s impairment. We

Effectively Using a Drift Sock Continued from page 16 days result in the bow being blown all over making precision trolling virtually impossible. To compensate for this, attach the drift sock to the boat’s bow eye.

A drift sock is a very effective tool for drifting open water as it allows your drift down, it allows you to use smaller and lighter weights and it gives a stealth approach. By utilizing two drift socks, a slow, controlled drift is created. In order to do this, attach both socks on the windward side of the boat. Clip the smaller sock to the

18 Summer 2013 Sports Norfolk

~ Aron Suprun

offer the tools they need to get themselves back on track and more importantly to increase their quality of life. The Port Dover Health & Fitness Centre emphasizes the need to make the client feel comfortable and have a positive attitude.

The Fitness Centre now offers fifteen group fitness classes per week with activities ranging from Cardio and toning classes like Kickboxing, Spinning, Tabata and Pilates - to Outdoor Bootcamp’s, a new Outdoor Low Intensity fitness class, Seniors classes and TRX. These classes have become increasingly popular to the general public. One of the biggest advantages of participating in a class is the motivation and attention that the member receives. It really is like having your own personal trainer driving you to do better and help achieve your goals. Our instructors are fantastic at working with members of varying fitness levels, and modifications are always provided. Whether you’re a beginner or a high performance athlete, you will get the motivation and direction you are looking for in a top rate routine.

As our wellness centre evolved over the years, so did our community. Now more than ever, we realized we needed to expand our aerobic schedule and encompass a wider range of services to our ever growing senior population. In early 2013 we introduced a seniors class called Balance and Toning on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. This class has been so popular that we are now offering two other senior classes called Yoga for Seniors Mondays at 10:30 am and TRX for Seniors on Fridays at 10:30 am.

Please stop by our facility to take a tour and speak with one of our excellent staff members about what we have to offer, or visit us online at www.pdhfc.com or find us on facebook.

Thanks Port Dover for ten great years of health and fitness!

corner of the transom and a larger sock just rearward of the bow. This should create an even boat drift. Experiment with this setup until you have it finetuned. Only the occasional time do you have to use the electric bow mount motor, kicker motor, or main engine to correct your direction. I apply this technique when fishing structure lines, weedlines and drifting over mid-depth weed humps. It is very rare that I see an angler deploying a drift sock while working a wind-blown shoreline. If you have fished this situation you know how difficult it is not to be blown onto the shoreline. Attaching the sock to the

rear corner of the boat’s windblown side will result in your boat being parallel to the shoreline. Now use your electric bow mount motor to move along and fish the shoreline effectively.

Probably most boaters don’t realize that a drift sock provides another safety tool on board. By utilizing the sock you can slow your drift down if you have lost engine power until someone can safety assist you.

For a minimal amount of dollars you can purchase a drift sock, or two.

Give them a chance and you will notice an increase in your fish hook-ups – guaranteed!

Sports Norfolk Summer 2013

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Fresh • Delicious • Relaxed

www.barrelrestaurant.ca 519.426.0068 131 Queensway West Simcoe

Congratulations Champions of Norfolk!!

SYDSL TOURNAMENT CHAMPS

ATOMS: Ben Mummery, Taryn Murphy, Michael Fuchs (Behind Taryn - Coach), Rylea Awrey, Zavier Ackland, Charlie Ellis, Shaun Mason, Brianna Waldon, Peyton Snow, JR. GIRLS - Coldwell Banker Action Plus - Front Row from left: Madison Peaire (Goalie), and Jamie Millson. Second Row: McKenna Doan, Abbie Davis, Emily Kamping, Tristyn Snow, Meagan Doan, and

20 Summer 2013 Sports Norfolk

Jacqueline Ferris (Behind Peyton), Joseph Fuchs, Harry Weaver, Zachary Weiler, Taye Lovell, Kelly Gill (Behind Taye - Assistant Coach), Bailey Pinkney, and Benjamin Baruth.

Marissa McDonnell. Back Row: Jim Millson (Coach), Isabella Rathfelder, Rae-Lynn Webb, Bianca Bowen, Selena Miranda, Kallie Davis, Vanessa Miller, Cassidy Clark, and Brian Webb (Coach). Missing: Arden Boer.

Sherbrooke, Quebec, August 2nd to August 17th, with over 4,200 athletes from across Canada participating in twenty disciplines on twenty different sites during the sixteen days of events.

Michael wanted to thank all the folks who have been helping him train, Shirley, Chris, Marci, Ed and of course his parents and teammates.

Michael has that ‘it’ factor that makes you just want to help him… his sincerity is genuine while his outlook and passion are that of a true champion!

Keep an eye on this young man and show him Norfolk is behind him!

PS… on a separate note Seals’ swim coach, Shirley Shaw, was named swim coach for team Ontario at the games… Congrats Shirley!

Athlete’S profIle Athlete NAme Michael Pacheco

Michael Pacheco (left) and Shirley Shaw

Energy ~ Dave Scott

Michael Pacheco was full of energy when I met him a few months ago. The twentyone year old swimmer with the Simcoe Seals was wearing a smile that could light a room.

His eyes danced as Seals’ swim coach, Shirley Shaw, informed Michael that he was going to the Canada Summer Games. Michael took in the moment as his teammates surrounded him, waving Canadian flags.

A few minutes later I pulled Michael aside and chatted with him about his achievement.

For the last two years he has dedicated himself to swimming; working at his 100 free, 100 back, 50 free, 50 back and 50 breaststroke. Michael says he is now ready to show his best; his dream is the Special Olympics… ‘THE GOAL IS IN MY HEART…’ he says The Canadian Games will take place in

hometowN Simcoe SportS plAyed Hockey, Swimming and Bowling yeArS INvolved 3 Years AwArdS receIved

Principal Award, Swimming and Most Dedicated Award

BIggeSt INflueNce IN Ed, Shirley and A.J. SpecIAl olympIcS work Norfolk County INtereStS & hoBBIeS Swimming lengths, Hockey my hero Wendel Clark teAm mAteS Jeremy, Bailey and Kara

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77 Queensway E, Simcoe Sports Norfolk519.426.8084 Summer 2013

21

Thank You ScoTiabank!

nYca kaYak camp July 8-12 RegiSTeR now!

519.428.1777 Summer 2013@ Sports Norfolk 22editor norfolkhub.ca

SpaceS limiTed!

Scotiabank Simcoe supporting our community

NYCA CAMP because... ~ Dave Scott

The easiest process of the mind is to forget… or perhaps choose to forget. In the adult world we tend to forget a lot of experiences we had as children… good and bad… it seems when we do remember, it feels like a lifetime ago.

For myself camp has never really gone away... over the years I have had the opportunity to volunteer at the NYCA camp in Port Ryerse, teaching kids to kayak. Getting out on the water is a whole new world to these kids… it lets them discover more about who they are.

Over the years I bet I have taken over 1000 kids out for a paddle, and every time it is a new adventure.

The NYCA camp isn’t the biggest, but I like to believe that when kids come out for the day they will have an adventure and enjoy the great outdoors.

Monica and I just keep going back year after year… our kids have spent their summers helping… it is a piece of us; it has become ingrained in who we are.

Kids that attend the camp have a variety of backgrounds and over the years we have supported children going through some tough times; may it be health or personal issues. The whole goal of the day is to help them to forget about their problems and enjoy themselves… to add a little sunshine to their lives.

Years ago I remember being out on the water, using our small sailboat. The sky was crystal clear and the water was

flat and a deep blue. Kids were laughing… all but one a little girl… she just turned and looked me straight in the eye and said, my daddy beats up my mommy… at that moment I realized why we do what we do to help children… it was seared into my memory.

The situation the child was in at the time had already been dealt with, the family was at the shelter. It just kills you to think that this young girl’s mind had to cope with such a heavy problem instead of being carefree as you should be at that age. It took some time, but by the end of the week she was smiling and enjoying her time on the water.

I guess that is why the NYCA does what it does… there have been many stories over the years similar to that one and each time it puts me back in check… realizing what we do is important.

The cost to run a camp isn’t cheap and I wanted to take a moment to say thanks to our biggest supporter over the years… Scotiabank Simcoe. Truly if it was not for the folks there, I do not know how many years camp could have run… Deb especially goes above and beyond… every year she will say, ‘How can we help?’

So to Scotiabank and all our supporters… Thank You for believing in and keeping camp memories alive… Thank You for holding out your hand to help children see a brighter future.

Big SplaSh

of th e 29 Talbot St. North, Simcoe, ON N3Y 3W5

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Week!23

Sports Norfolk Summer 2013

Jumpstart the Swim

Mary Taylor, owner of Canadian Tire Simcoe (left) and Chris Peters

July 20th Chris Peters will swim 30km from Long Point to Port Dover in support of Jumpstart and to raise water safety awareness!!

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