February Beaver Tales/BTK

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Paddling, Biking, Skiing and so Much More!

February 2020 Beaver Tales

Georgian Nordic board members who participated in the Feb. 1 fatbike race at GNOAC: Chad, Emma, Greg and Wil. More on the race below.
Photo credit: Bob Slaman

President's Message

Greetings, and another warm welcome to everybody! The winter season is now well underway, and what an incredible season we are having thus far.

January saw a whirlwind of activity in and around the Burrow and out on the trail system.

The Jackrabbit program is up and running, having rebounded quite nicely after a snowless start to January. We have over 100 enthusiastic young skiers hitting the trails every weekend, not to mention a handful of involved parent volunteers, plus a whole slew of volunteer coaches. Those include members of Georgian Nordic's junior racing team, who show up extra early to train on Saturday mornings before changing into dry clothing to help facilitate the Jackrabbit sessions.

The Racing Rabbits and junior teams have already seen plenty of success so far this season, taking podium finishes at events across the region and representing the club at Southern Ontario District races, as well as in high-level Ontario Cups. Later in February, some of our racers will wear the club colours at the Eastern Canadian Championships in Sherbrooke, Quebec. And four of our U16 skiers (Jenna, Mia, Josh and Simon) even qualified to race at the upcoming Ontario Winter Games!

Ghislain worked his event-organization magic once more, hosting yet another fantastic Sounder Ski Tour. Special kudos go out to Don Brisbane and the trail crew, who battled blizzard conditions in the hours leading up to the race just to get the trail groomed and the track set. This was the largest Sounder turnout in years, with 255 skiers registered across the classic and skate categories. The Burrow was full to overflowing, and if our events become any more successful, we will have to look at expanding our indoor space!

Emily hosted another successful Women on Skis, which was sold out for the umpteenth year in a row. This year, for a change, skiers were treated to a balmy +2C, rather than the usual -25C Arctic conditions that so often prevail in January. Enjoying the spirit of friendship and camaraderie, participants took the chance to have fun working on skate and classic ski techniques, and some even checked out some fat-tire bikes in the snow!

On February 1st, just under 100 winter cyclists from across Ontario converged on the GNOAC trail system for the second stop in the 45NRTH Ontario Fat Bike Race Series, presented by Cannondale. The trails were well-prepped by the grooming team, plus a crew of volunteers from Get Outdoors Parry Sound, creating a fantastic race course that challenged riders over the backcountry trails.

We have a lot on tap for the rest of February. Jackrabbits will continue in full swing, and we are anticipating hosting a number of groups and tours coming to enjoy the trails. This will also include evening skis, and another moonlight (and candlelit!) ski this Saturday, February 15 (more on that below).

The paddling team will also be hard at work on Family Day weekend, hosting the traditional pancake breakfast fundraiser from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, at the Humphrey Arena, as part of the 36th annual Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run. Come on out, support the club and enjoy the festivities!

And don't forget the Georgian Nordic Team Sprints, which are scheduled for March 1st on a fantastic, spectator-friendly course that loops in and around the stadium. Registration is now open on Zone4.ca.

As part of the day's festivities, we will also be making the draw to determine the winners of more than $1,800 in prizes that are on offer as part of this year's Georgian Nordic fundraising raffle -- tickets are available at the Burrow or from just about any ski team racer. Your support is very much appreciated!

Also, after months of planning and design iterations, we are finally ready to unveil the new club racing suits and warmup suits. Once again they will be sourced from our friends at Garneau, featuring modern designs and quality craftsmanship (see image and a link to order below).

Once again, I’ll close with a reminder about the unpredictable weather. At times, we will need to close access to the trails to protect users and the trails from harm. When conditions are soft, the trails are vulnerable to damage -- from snowshoers, cyclists and, yes, even skiers. With the repeated freeze/thaw cycles, icy conditions are to be expected -- this not only makes the trails challenging (and fast!), but it also makes the parking lot and the stadium area very slippery. Everyone is reminded that any use of the club property is at your own risk. Please exercise caution in these challenging conditions.

See you on the trails!

Wil.

P.S. Hold the presses! As I write this, I am happy to announce that the ever-popular Beaver trail is now open! Thanks to just enough snowfall, plus the efforts of the grooming crew (including Don, Lois and Team Verstraten), we have been able pack down the trail for backcountry skiing. The rugged 14-kilometre loop takes in much of the best that GNOAC has to offer, including windswept granite ridges, beaver dams, pine forests and even a picnic bench overlooking the rapids.

Don't miss your chance to make it around this classic destination trail -- you never know how long the skiable conditions will last. Some years, conditions have dictated that it only be open for a day or two, although this year it looks like we will have it open for a few weeks, at least.

Member Services and Trail Updates

New Georgian Nordic Clothing Unveiled

Georgian Nordic club clothing orders available from Garneau until February 29th!

For nearly two decades, the original Georgian Nordic clothing design carried on nearly unchanged. New for 2020, the official Georgian Nordic club clothing has finally been updated!

The new look sees a refreshed colour palette and an updated graphic design that combines the rugged Canadian Shield background with the latest GNOAC logos. The club's supplier is still Garneau, but all of the custom Nordic ski clothing lines have been updated with improved fit, materials, styling and features.

We will eventually be migrating all of the racing teams over to the new uniforms, but all members of Georgian Nordic are welcome to order clothing -- we would love to see as many people as possible sporting the new club colours, whether you are at an event or simply out to enjoy the trails. Show your support for GNOAC by wearing the new club clothing!

To order, simply go to the online Georgian Nordic store. You pay Garneau directly for the items, and they will be delivered to GNOAC for distribution once the order is complete.

Note that the order will only be open until February 29th. After that, we will likely not order again until the fall, and we are not planning to keep a stock of extra items on hand.

Georgian Nordic Raffle

Please help support this great fundraiser; our prize donors have been very generous. The funds raised through these ticket sales will go toward many Georgian Nordic programs, including paddling and skiing for kids, equipment upgrades in the Burrow and trail development.

Please contact Christine Anderson by phone at 705-774-0818 or by email at actvmind@vianet.ca if you would like to sell or buy more tickets. All tickets sold or unsold must be returned to Christine on or before February 29, 2020.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Trail Updates

Please check the trail conditions page of our GNOAC website and our GNOAC Facebook page for regular updates on trail conditions.

Above: The beautiful Lynx trail.
Below left: The trail team taking a break at the waterfall on the Beaver trail.
Below right: The Beaver trail, from a groomer's point of view.
Photo credits: Don Brisbane

Sounder Ski Tour a Big Success

The 2020 Sounder Ski Tour was on Sunday January 12. After a few days of uncertain conditions, we received enough snow to have a safe course. Special thanks go to our trail team, who worked their magic on a thin, icy base covered in ice pellets and a bit of snow to provide us with smooth skiing conditions.

Communication with registered participants on Zone4 and through GNOAC volunteers helped keep information on weather and trail conditions available.

This year, the Sounder used the Zone4 GoChip timing system, which generated accurate and timely results for the event. In all, 255 skiers from Parry Sound and all over Ontario registered in the classic-skiing and skate-skiing events, with 212 showing up to ski. Official results are posted on Zone4.ca at the following link: https://zone4.ca/event/2020/B48E1010/

Photos from the event are available in a gallery on the GNOAC website at the following link: https://gnoac.com/photos/

Door prizes were provided by Bialkowski Trysport and Parry Sound Bikes. Please support those local businesses, who help out with so many active-living initiatives in our community. They are awesome!

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with registration, serving food, timing, at the finish line and marshalling out on the course. It is truly inspiring to see all of our Georgian Nordic ski community and friends work so well together to create a fun and relaxed day for skiers and winter cyclists from age four to 84.

We are already looking forward to the 2021 Sounder!

-- Ghislain Henry

Top left: Sounder racers break over the start line.
Top right: Beth Matthews organizing the time chips.
Bottom left: Our famous race convenor Gord Cole.
Bottom right: Medal presentation by Sounder organizer Ghislain Henry.
Photo credits: Sonya Felsman, Peter Istvan

Another Great Year for Women on Skis

This year's edition of Women on Skis was held January 26 -- and a little drizzle didn't dampen the spirits of the 42 women, 11 instructors, two guides and one photographer who made it a wonderful day.

The morning lessons were the perfect mix of technique, demos, practice and pointers for first-time and advanced skiers alike. The delicious soups and salads from the Country Gourmet hit the spot, and the desserts were plentiful. Kyla Judge gave a fascinating, inspirational lunchtime presentation about the birch-bark canoe building project, which gave a number of First Nations youth in the greater Parry Sound area a very meaningful way to reconnect with their roots. With bodies and souls fortified, the ladies went back out for an afternoon of more skiing, snowshoeing and the always popular fatbike “try-it” session.

Many thanks to ski instructors Wendy Grater, Glenda Clayton, Dawn Williams, Katja Mathys, Barb Pettinger, Paula Mullen, Lynsey Bialkowski, Marianne Bialkowski, Aleesha Clark and Emily Fells, warm-up leader Sue Pilling, snowshoe guides Cathy Novak and Kristine Thompson, fatbike instructors Aleesha Clark and Lindsey Raymond, kitchen crew of Sandra Beirnes and Jane Suttcliffe, Sonya Felsman for all the photos and Jan and Louise, the Burrow attendants, who helped us keep the action rolling without blowing all the fuses at the Burrow. All your co-ordinated efforts made WOS 2020 such a success, despite the soggy, dull weather.

Finally, thanks to our generous sponsors, Aqua Cage Fisheries, Bialkowski Trysport, BlackFeather, Evolve Fitness, Glen MacGregor of Edward Jones, Huckleberry's, iSparks Solutions, Northwinds Pottery, Parry Sound Books, Parry Sound Bikes, Thom Morrissey Photography, Toad Hill Pottery and White Squall, which contributed support and fabulous door prizes.

If you missed out on signing up this year, mark your calendar to sign up in December of next year for our 2021 event. For more details of the day, see the Women on Skis page, listed under "Programs" on the GNOAC website.

The participants and instructors of Women on Skis 2020.
Photo credit: Sonya Felsman

4 GNOAC Racers Headed to Ontario Winter Games

Congratulations to four of our Georgian Nordic junior team members, Jenna Anderson, Mia Smith (both U14) and Joshua Strydom and Simon Anderson (both U16), who have qualified for the Ontario Winter Games by racing well in SOD and Ontario Cup races. The Ontario Winter Games will take place from February 26 to 28. Orillia is the host city; Nordic races will be held at Hardwood Hills.

For more information on the 2020 Ontario Winter Games, go to: https://www.orillia2020.ca/en/about-the-games/about-the-games.aspx

Clockwise from top left: Simon Anderson, Joshua Strydom, Mia Smith, Jenna Anderson.
Photo credit: Coach Peter Wiltmann

2020 Mont Sainte-Anne Haywood 2020 NorAm World Jr/U23 Trials

Two Georgian Nordic alumni skiers, Graham Ritchie and Shaylynn Loewen, raced at trials in Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, from January 30 to February 2. Both committed to risking it all for a shot at something bigger.

Top speed, high-effort endurance and technical skills were tested in sprints and distance racing in both styles, classic and skate. Developing skiers built on their long-term athleticism.

Shaylynn gave it a hard go this time, an amazing skier building a huge athletic base for more to come yet. Graham qualified for the Worlds U23 in Oberwiesenthal, Germany, on day one, skate sprints. See full results here: https://zone4.ca/event/2020/4DAE7B86/

-- Coach Peter Wiltmann

Shaylynn Loewen (left) and Graham Ritchie (right).
Photo credit Doug Stephen

Lantern Ski This Saturday

GNOAC held its first lantern ski of the season on February 1. People of all ages turned out in droves, and fun was had by all. A very big thank you to Graham and Wil Poole for lighting up the trails! Keep those headlamps handy as we look forward to hosting a few more, including our next one, this Saturday, February 15. See the ad below for all the details.

Jackrabbit Report

Finally, we're on track with the weather! Our Jackrabbits have enjoyed bushwhacking, marshmallow roasting, wacky hat wearing and, yes, some great skiing! We couldn't do it without all of our great volunteers: student/parent coaches, hot-chocolate makers, thank you!

There will be no Jackrabbit session on Family Day weekend so you can ski and have fun with your family. Hope to see you on the trails.

Racing Rabbit Update

Wow! What a great few weeks of great skiing and racing. Many of our Racing Rabbits skied, played and raced this past month, with many personal bests. Way to go!

Some of the races included were our own Sounder Ski race, the Muskoka Loppet, the Mono Nordic skate race and the Suntrail Special.

Coming up is Midland Ski Cross on February 23rd and our Georgian Nordic Team Sprint Races at GNOAC on March 1. The season of racing will end with the Ontario Youth Championships in Timmins on March 7 and 8.

Lily Kreiger (far right) with a 3rd place finish at the Suntrail Special skate race in Owen Sound.
Photo credit: Stacey Kreiger

We had an array of participants from Georgian Nordic participate in the Muskoka Loppet, held at Arrowhead Provincial Park on January 26, 2020. Coaches, parents, waxers, junior team, Racing Rabbits and Georgian Nordic alumni all enjoyed a great day together.
Photo credits: Christine Anderson

Junior Team Update

Four of our junior-team members, Rachel Anderson, Joshua Strydom, Mia Smith and Jenna Anderson, put their training to test, competing at the Eastern Canadian Championships in Sherbrooke Quebec. It was all about the long-term development of each skier, skiing 15-kilometre and 6-kilometre classic and skate races. They saw all conditions: freezing rain, 30 centimetres of snowfall and -30 C temperatures.

Other junior-team members, Kate Redmond, Liam Marshall, Emma Ball and Leah Redmond, have skied personal bests at high school races and continue to train and, let’s not forget, have fun.

Junior-team member Liam Marshall finishing strong at the Sounder.

Photo credit: iSparks Solutions

Ontario Fat Bike Race Series Rolls Into GNOAC

On February 1, Georgian Nordic hosted the 45NRTH Ontario Fat Bike Series, presented by Cannondale.

This was the second year the event was held on our trails, with 90 riders registered, a substantial increase from last year. They faced a challenging course over either a 13- or 26-kilometre distance, with each race consisting of either two or four laps of a 6.5-kilometre course that included the Bunny, Otter, Grizzly, Bear and Bear Cub trails. This left the remainder of the main trails open for skiers, even during the race.

Thanks to the hard work (and plenty of volunteer hours) put in by the trail team and volunteers from Get Outdoors Parry Sound, the course was nicely packed down in time for the event. Riders enjoyed the route’s steep climbs, tight turns and white-knuckle descents.

“The weather and the hard work of the grooming team at GNOAC combined to create a magic-carpet-like ride on the trails,” said Dan Marshall of Substance Projects, one of the race’s organizers. “The snow set perfectly on a course that was a great mix of double- and single track.”

The GNOAC event was the second stop on this year’s Ontario Fat Bike Series, which is made up of three races in all. (The series moves on to Hardwood Ski and Bike on March 1.) You can find full race results by clicking here.

Riders in action at the 45NRTH Ontario Fat Bike Series race held at GNOAC on February 1.
Photo credit: Peter Istvan

Georgian Nordic Paddling

Mark your calendars! The Georgian Nordic Paddling program is once again hosting its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser at the 36th annual Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run on Saturday February 15, 2020, at the Humphrey Community Centre from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Please come out and support this great bunch of kids! GNOAC raffle tickets will also be available for purchase. Hope to see you there; if you can't make it, donations are always appreciated. Thanks in advance from the Georgian Nordic Paddling team.

BTK

Beaver Tales Kids

February 2020

2021 Jackrabbit Toque Design Contest

Thank you, Jackrabbits, for participating in last year's Jackrabbit toque design. We have a fantastic opportunity for you to once again help us design the Swix 2021 Jackrabbit Toque!

Please see the following steps for you to join us in Nordiq Canada's Design Contest for the 2021 Bunnyrabbit & Jackrabbit Enrolment Toque! The winning design will be worn by 10,500 Jackrabbit boys and girls during the 2021 ski season. Get your design ideas ready. Full contest rules and template are here: https://bit.ly/2RUe6p2

Fun Dates to Remember

Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Racing Rabbit and junior team practices at GNOAC.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.: Jackrabbit, Racing Rabbit and junior team practices at GNOAC.
Every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (January and February): Night ski or fatbike at GNOAC with Parry Sound Bikes.
February 15: Georgian Nordic Paddling annual pancake breakfast fundraiser, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Humphrey Community Centre.
February 15: Lantern Ski, GNOAC, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
February 15: No Jackrabbit or Racing Rabbits due to Family Day weekend.
February 23: Midland Ski Cross (skate skiing) - SOD Race, Paraffin Series, Mountainview Ski Club.
February 26-28: 2020 Ontario Winter Games, Orillia.
February 29: Last day to sell GNOAC raffle tickets.
March 1: Georgian Nordic Team sprints (skate skiing) at GNOAC, GNOAC raffle draw.
March 7 and 8: ON Youth Ski Championships, Timmins (classic and skate skiing).
March 27-28: Racing Rabbits Spring Ski Camp.

Skiing! Paddling! Biking! Simply Having Fun!

Come on out to the GNOAC in winter, spring, summer or fall! Bring your friends and family, get outdoors and try something new!

Beaver Tales/BTK
Produced, written (in part) by: Christine Anderson
Edited by: Chad Fraser and Christine Anderson

Copyright © 2019 Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre, All rights reserved.

Contact Us:
4 Nine Mile Lake Road, McDougall, ON P2A 2W9
info@georgiannordic.com
www.gnoac.com

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Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre · 4 Nine Mile Lake Rd · McDougall, ON P2A 2W9 · Canada