Summerstown, ON – The popular ski walking program will again be offered this year at the Summerstown Trails. Even though the first snowfall is still many months away, now is the time to think about pre-season preparation for the cross-country ski season.
The 6-week program will start on October 2, with the one-hour sessions to be conducted every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at the trailhead parking lot and on the trails. The sessions will be led by Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) member René Sauvé, a certified NCCP instructor who says that “cross-country skiers are built in the fall.” René also leads the FOTST learn to ski programs and the kids Jackrabbit program in the wintertime for the Summerstown Coyote Nordiq club.
As the name implies, there will be lots of walking involved, but it will be walking with a XC skiing purpose. Some of the exercises for the participants include walking with poles, ski walking, ski striding, ski hopping, etc. Dynamic stretching movements and balance exercises will also be on the menu.
FOTST president Vic Leroux is very pleased that we are again able to offer this program. “Over the past two years, more than 75 people have benefitted from this program, and we think the program will prove to be as popular again this year.” He went on to add: “Both novice and experienced skiers can benefit. Not only do you prepare for skiing, but technical tips are also part of the program.”
This program is free for FOTST members and for kids aged 12 and under. A one-time registration fee of $10 will apply to all others. The only requirement is that participants need to bring their walking poles or ski poles. Disinfected ski poles will be available for those who don’t have any. For more information and to register, visit the FOTST website at www.summerstowntrail.com.
The trails are located on Summerstown Road, 1.6 km north of exit 804 of the 401.
