When I think “phys ed,” I’m instantly brought back to the gym at Montreal West’s Edinburgh School to memories of running in circles training for the Halo Road Race or playing after hours basketball.
We played nearly everything there – newcomball, soccer-baseball, capture the flag, and of course the standards like hoops, ball hockey and soccer.
Oh, and let’s not forget the Participaction awards challenge featuring such great activities as the shuttle run, the high jump, and tossing beanbags – or something of that nature.
But one thing we never even got close to was dragon boating in the Lachine Canal!
On Thursday, over 100 Grade 6 students, including a group from NDG’s Royal Vale, will compete in a race on the canal in a first-of-its-kind event organized by dragon boat event specialists Corporate Dragon.
Presented as one last big elementary school party before the kids move on to the ever-dreaded high school level, the organizers are also hoping to get kids hooked on the sport.
“The organizers sincerely believe in the importance of the role dragon boating can play in the personal development of the children, and that is why (we) have decided to operate this event as a non-profit initiative,” said Corporate Dragon organizers in an email to Off-Sidel.
“Dragon boating is a sport in which physical strength, although an important factor, is not necessary to succeed: the winning team is the one that best works together. This is a great lesson to pass on to the next generation.”
The organizers also wanted to highlight the work of Royal Vale phys ed teacher Norman Katz.
“This event would not have been possible without (his) dedication. He is the one who has secured the collaboration of other EMSB schools, thereby making this a community event the organizers hope is the first of many.”
I’m writing this column from a cold, kinda smelly room on the military base in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where the Alouettes hold their annual training camp.
This is my sixth camp, and I’m feeling more excited than ever for the coming season.
Once again, for the record, the Monitor is only a part-time job – my fulltime gig is doing PR and marketing for the Als, which I’ve been doing now since 2004.
The reason I’m more excited than ever is the confidence brought to the club by our now second-year coach Marc Trestman.
“Coach,” as we call him around here, brought in a new level of professionalism last year that I had never experienced before.
Yes, we were professional under Jim Popp and Don Matthews before him – and I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for both of those men, but Trestman has instilled a quiet calm and confidence to everyone in the organization from the players to the lowest-ranking intern.
The man is simply an inspiring leader.
That, coupled with Popp’s leadership on the player personnel side of the business, leads us to a feeling of comfort I personally have not felt before.
Of course, there’s a lot of work to do between now and hopefully a Grey Cup championship in Calgary in late November, but I truly believe that if anyone’s going to lead us there, it’ll be Marc Trestman.
I’ll come back with some more camp notes between now and our pre-season home game on June 23, but in the meantime, please feel free to contact me any time at noahsidel@gmail.com.
