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Times-Advocate, 1979-01-10, Page 3Now need some snow . .. and warmer weather Times-Advocate, January 10, 1979 Page 3 Hundreds in area become cross-country ski enthusiasts By MARY BLEWETT Finally we’ve found a winter sport which really makes sense. Cross country skiing has something to suit everyone. You can go out alone, or with a gang or the family. You can spend almost any amount on equip­ ment, depending on how much you want to get in­ volved. And most important, it’s good exercise. Cross country skiing makes more sense than downhill skiing for those of us in southwestern Ontario. Downhill skiing costs more: both in equipment, and travelling expenses to get to the slopes. And once you get there you spend more time standing still then getting exercise. Similarly, snowmobiling offers very little exercise (other than struggling into those bulky suits) and it's a very expensive sport. The noisy motors cut off any con­ versation, and anyway you could only get two people out ata time. Cross country skiing is comparatively low priced, and it’s something the whole family can do together. Add to that the fact that you can do it almost anywhere, and you’ve got the perfect winter sport for this area. A lot of people have realiz­ ed how great it is, according to sports shops in the area. Sales of skis jumped dramatically last year, and are still on the increase. Prices for package deals which include the skis, poles, boots and bindings run from $19 for a child’s set to $125.00. At The Canadian Tire, John Skelding says that cross country skiing has become a "family thing.’’ NEEDS PROTECTION — Ron Bogart has to wear an apron when he uses his little torch to burn a protective sealing onto the fibreglass skis. The RSD Sports Den plans to expand their cross country ski selection for next winter. IlW |gy WAXING SKIS — Jerry MacLean & Son has a wide selection of skis. Gary MacLean shows where wax needs to be applied to the base. He says that even on no wax skis it is a good idea to put a little wax on the tail and tip of the ski. SKIS FOR RENT — Gene Grenier of Rollies's Sports and Cy­ cle, Grand Bend, shows his top quality rentals. He says he won't disappoint anyone who wants to rent — he'll even take skis from the sales section and rent them out. Best Interest Wo represent many Trust Companies. We are often able to arrange for the highest interest being offered on Guaranteed Investment Certificates, ’ Sub|ect Io change Gaiser-Kneale Insurance Agency Inc. Exeter Office 35-2420 238-8484 482-9747 Grand Bend Clinton Office Office Last year parents bought skis for their children, this year they’re back buying a pair for themselves. Mr. Skelding estimates that they’ve sold about 100 packages this winter. At the RSD Sports Den Ron and Elaine Bogart have been pleased with the sales of cross country skis. Mr. Bogart will put on his protective apron and give your ski a protective coating. Wooden skis re­ quire a pine tar on the base, followed by a coat of wax. For the fibreglass skis, Mr. Bogart uses a little torch and bums on a protective layer of sealing. At Jerry MacLean & Son, Gary MacLean says that cross country skis were very popular Christmas gifts this year. Even now, people who received gift certificates or money are coming in to get skis. He figures they have sold about 200 pairs of skis. They have also been sell­ ing the skis, poles and boots separately. But if you don’t think you’re ready to invest in a set, then you can rent them from Rollie’s Sports and Cy­ cle in Grand Bend. Gene Grenier, the owner, can out­ fit you in a top quality package for $7.50 a day He has a wide selection of styles and sizes. Mr. Grenier says that it’s worth his while to rent good quality skis because they last longer and can stand up to any treatment. He also hopes that people will be pleased with them and come back to buy a pair. Although his business has been fairly good, the number of inquiries he has received indicates that it would be much better if there was more snow. He thinks that his location on the highway helps business, because peo­ ple from Chatham or Wind­ sor area see his sign and will rent a pair of skis to take further north for the weekend. Mr. Grenier will take reservations, and as soon as there is sufficient snow in the Pinery Park he expects business to be boom­ ing. Advice from, the store owners about buying cross country ski equipment is very much the same. £ The^lerigfM of theUs’kis should be in proportion to f>!:yQUF.?heighti..vyou should be able to reach the tip of the ski with your hand if you stand them up beside you. The camber, this is the amount of curvature between the tail and the tip of the ski, should be slightly more for heavier people. Skis can be made of wood or fibreglass or a combina­ tion of those two, or made of wood and filled with foam. - You can also get skis with a base that never needs wax­ ing. These are usually a plastic base, and are tex­ tured in different patterns. However, with a base that requires waxing you can be prepared for any weather. A simple wax kit consists of two kinds: one for freezing weather, and one for thaw­ ing. Professional cross coun­ try skiers carry about eight waxes: a different wax for each five degree temperature change. People who believe that cross country skiing is more of a hobby than a sport can’t understand anyone having no wax skis. To them waxing the ski is part of the game, and they can’t see being too lazy to wax and then going on a five mile hike. Gary MacLean says that if you can write on a blackboard with chalk, then you can wax a ski. Poles come in bamboo or fibreglass. The fibreglass is more expensive, yet the bambo seems to last just as long if treated properly. Bindings —• the part that holds the boot on the ski — can be metal or plastic. A beginner might prefer the plastic binding because it doesn’t have the sharp edge which cuts into the other ski if you get your legs crossed up. But once you’re used to having the ski on your foot, bindings shouldn’t make any difference. Boots should be leather with a padded top. The better quality boots have a steel shank in the sole to keep its shape. Also there should be steel around the holes in the toe where the boot fits over the binding. If these holes are not rein­ forced they can easily rip out. Fleece linings are not necessary in boots, especial­ ly if your feet sweat. The fleece will hold the sweat and then as soon as you stop moving, you feet will get cold. For the same reason it is important to have clothes that will "breathe”. Lightweight clothing is better then heavy because you won’t prespire and then get cold. The sports shops say that the cross country ski suits — the knitted jackets and knickers — are selling well this year. Jim Bishop is teaching beginners and advanced ski­ ing at South Huron High School in evening classes. The first lessons were on purchasing skis, and now he plans on taking his groups outdoors for instruction. He says he has been skiing for about seven years. Prior to that cross country skiing was seldom seen, — it was just a "few Norwegians”, he says. There are more and more people getting in­ volved, but Mr. Bishop says "like any fad it will level off, and those who enjoy it will stay on.” Sue McGregor, communi­ ty relations co-ordinator for the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority says that the lVi mile trail from the high school to the Morrison Dam had to be closed temporarily because of flooding. With sufficient snow the trail should re-open soon. There are also three kilometres of trails at the Parkhill Dam. The Pinery Provincial Park has about 30 kilometres of trails, all carefully groomed when there is sufficient snow. Tom Carrothers, a Pinery employee says that they have made a device to groom the trails. They tow a wooden sled-like affair behind a snowmobile which makes grooves in which the skiers can move their skis. All visitors are given a self-explanatory map and the trails are marked off with signs. A record of the skiers is kept, and park rangers will go out looking for those who haven’t returned by dark. Shelters have been erected along the trails, with picnic tables and I fireplaces. I On February 1, a Sarnia ( firm is sponsoring a rally at the Pinery. A cross country race will be held, and for -! trail will take you, and then make the course, without us­ ing a time piece. The who comes closest to this es­ timated time will win the competition. those less competitive there will be a contest where you can estimate how long the LEARNING TO SKI — One of the many classes which is offered at night school held during the winter months at South Huron District High School is a course in cross-country skiing. Receiving instructions Saturday morning from Jim Bishop on how to ex­ ecute a turn were Carol Stuart, Fran Mickle and Rick Miles. T-A photo L Sizes 26 to 40 All 14 oz. pre-washed denim flares and straight leg. Canadian made in navy, beige, black or brown. Straight leg styling, front pleats. I ALL THIS MEN'S DEPARTMENT CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT o 235-0270 EXETER'S LARGEST DEPARTMENT STORE CONTINUES WEEK Gabardine SLACKS ONLY $1288 Special Racks of Blouses, sweaters and sportswear 20% TO 50% OFF REG. 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