Media Releases for winter of 2008 / 2009

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Oct 2008

BIG TRAIL NEWS IN DISTRICT 1

The ink is still drying on a brand new agreement between the City of Ottawa and a coalition of 3 District 1 clubs, Kemptville, Osgoode Carleton, and Carleton Regional. These 3 clubs have taken over the winter management of a 27 kilometer abandoned rail bed that runs near Kemptville into Leitrim on the outskirts of Ottawa. Dale Walt, President of Kemptville, spearheaded the effort and was helped significantly by Doug Thompson, Ottawa City Councilor for the area. Dale was quoted saying 'this is a great deal for the snowmobile clubs giving easy access from the city and helping keep riders off of the Rideau River'. The Rideau has been the site of some snowmobile fatalities in recent years. It will now be possible for riders to travel from Kemptville to Carleton Regional Club without crossing the river. Dale also stated that the clubs were following the O.F.S.C. trail strategy document by securing trail that can be opened early, takes riders off waterways, and gives our urban members a chance to ride from their own neighborhood. Ottawa and surrounding areas are experiencing rapid growth which has been eroding the trail system in the built up areas. This gives the clubs a secure trail which will not need to be rerouted every year. The city legal department stated that this is the largest recreational trail agreement they have ever entered into. It will eventually be a multi use trail however snowmobiles will be the only motorized users. The clubs and the city are very excited about this news and are committed to having it open this year. There is a grand opening ceremony planned for February.

April 2008

Polaris Winning Performance rewards Volunteerism

The OFSC Polaris Volunteer Draw occurred March 29 at VIA's annual Spring Tonic Volunteerism Conference in Barrie. From among 5,169 registered volunteers names in the OFSC Online database Dave Sharp, OFSC Volunteer of the Year for 2007, picked the winning number. Colleen Hanna of the Rideau Ridge Riders in D1 was immediately contacted by phone and received the news from OFSC President, Bruce Robinson.

Colleen was raised in a family of snowmobilers. She started young: as a small child, she rode in a cutter at the feet of her older brother and sister...she was given a Kitty Kat snowmobile under the Christmas tree when she was barely walking. As they got older, she and her siblings always had sleds to bomb around on. Now, Colleen and her husband are avid sledders. They own a construction company and their evenings & weekends are spent sledding when weather permits!

Colleen came on board with the Rideau Ridge Riders in May 2006 as Club Secretary. She is also Ticket Sales Coordinator for the district's sled trailer raffle.

She also organized their first annual 'Bring on the Snow' Dance last November and a St. Patrick's Day social evening.

Colleen sends a huge thanks to everyone at the OFSC! It's wonderful surprises like this that gives people like myself a special opportunity and the motivation to help their local club!

For more information about volunteering for your club go to

Left to right VIA Polaris draw Colleen Hanna, Steve Barbary of Black's Corners Motorsports in Carleton Place authorized Polaris Dealer and Bruce Robinson OFSC President..

Feb 12/13, 2008

"Give It A Try Tour" rolls into District One

Go snowmobiling was on everyone's mind on Feb 12 and 13th at Sand Road Sugar Camp near Moose Creek Ontario. Over 30 newbies to snowmobiling participated in this OFSC pilot project as a result of a special invite from our media partners SnoGoer publication/Snowmobile Television. On hand for this exciting event were the local snowmobile dealers, District 1 Snowmobile Association, and of course many excited participants wanting to sample our sport of snowmobiling.

With 2008 model sleds provided by Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha, complete clothing line by Choko, boots by Baffin, and instruction by OFSC, these folks were suited-up and given by a pre-ride safety lesson and practical orientation on the 2008 sleds. A 35 km adventure followed on the trails of the Seaway Valley Snowmobile Association who provided a well groomed and safe environment for our first time riders. There were several stops along the route to explain to our new riders the infrastructure of organized snowmobiling in Ontario. All of our rookies experienced the fun and lifestyle of Ontario snowmobiling and, when asked to explain their Give It a Try Tour in words, they spoke with smiles and said "you have to try it yourself, words can't explain the wonderful feeling of snowmobiling in Ontario".

Like the TV ads for Ontario produce "Good things grow in Ontario", snowmobiling is growing in Ontario thanks to our many partners and volunteer clubs.

Visit: for more information on this program.

Mar 2, 2008

2008 Yamafest

"What kind of Yamaha are you" was the theme for the 2008 Yamafest.

March 2nd was the date that the third annual Yamafest was hosted by Irwin Supply of Cornwall, Sand Road Sugar Camp, and District 1 Snowmobile Association with groomed perfect trails provided by Seaway Valley Snowmobile Association. As in previous years, it was Team Yamaha blue sunny skies all day along with lots of pure white snow. Over 400 individuals came out to fill their appetites with an old fashion Maple Sugar Bush brunch and to test drive Yamaha sleds, the most advanced four stroke snowmobiles in the world. With most Yamaha products on hand from the new Nitro to the Apex LTX to the cost efficient Phazer, every sled head had the opportunity to test ride the best on a safe, groomed OFSC club trail.

To make this Canadian winter experience complete, Mike Heino of the Shop Industrial provided a Prinoth Husky Groomer attached to a Mogul master drag. The Prinoth's advanced technologies combined with forward-looking design make Prinoth the unbeaten full-service operator in the field of grooming. Many of the groomer operators that test drove this unit were calling their club treasurers and president and stating "we have found the ultimate groomer unit". The Shop also had a Centuar Swamp Stomper demo to show club members and snowmobile enthusiasts a light weight unit to open and pack trails, especially in swampy areas.

Mother Nature provided the best snow in years and everyone from the sledders to the manufacturers had a "what kind of Yamaha are you" experience.

Visit: and for more information on their products.