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Village Squire, 1975-01, Page 25BY SHEILA MCCOOK Pun aside, snowshoeing is an important footnote to Canadian history. And, as far as most of us were aware, that's where snowshoeing stayed. So how come there are those wildly enthusiastic latter-day coureurs des bois tramping through the woods? How come there's a roaring business in snowshoe manufacturing and how come two winters ago well over 200,000 pairs are estimated to have been sold in Canada alone? Though perhaps not immediately apparent in an age when downhill and cross-country skiing seem the only certifiably chic way of getting from one place to another on snow, snowshoeing has been building a new and devoted following over the past half decade. Word hasn't got around too much because, like their sport, snowshoers are quiet. They haven't yet rated a magazine cover story. The jet set hasn't yet pounced to annoint snowshoeing with the ritzy image the sport so far lacks. Snowshoers haven't kicked their gut -shoed feet hard enough against the Olympic doors to gain the frame and prestige that Games admittance can bring. A main reason is that an Olympic sport must be officially recognized and played in several countries. This all -Canadian sport has so far only barely crossed the U.S. border. There is an astonishing lack of record of snowshoeing in other nordic lands -- skis appear to be what most people got around on in snowy lands elsewhere. Right off, a snowshoer will hesitate not at all to mix a boast with a pun to announce that snowshoeing was the central means of winter transportation that got this country on its feet. When Cartier and his men made their historic explorations of this country in the mid -16th century, they sighted Indians gracefully and speedily manoeuvring their way across snow on platforms of wood and leather. Cartier and his men were impressed. Showshoeing has remained an Indian specialty. The major snowshoe manufacturers today are Indians outside Quebec City who apply the patience and care that centuries of experience have taught them. Their hand -made product is still considered by the cognoscenti to be the best one can get. Meanwhile, the French in Canada from Cartier on down were eager to borrow from the Indians and before long snowshoeing was a favorite mode of transportation with the white population. Its popularity with the military of the New World led to regimental games and competitions. This early activity was a precursor to what is now the Canadian Snowshoers' Union Founded in 1907, it grew to a membership of 3,500 last year and expectations are that the number will increase to 5,000 this year. The union's charter states as its aim the perpetuation of "the heroic achievements of missionaries and settlers who had explored and settled this beautiful country of ours" and preservation of Canadian traditions, songs, dances and winter apparel. Since 1907, an American Snowshoers' 24, VILLAGE SQUIRE/JANUARY 1975 Snowshoeing anyone? One of Canada's oldest modes of winter travel finds new popularity Union and an international committee have been founded. However, at the moment, most union activities are based in Quebec, the Ottawa region of Ontario and in parts of New England heavily settled by French-speaking Canadians, for it is these people who have persisted in keeping the sport alive. Now it has caught on with many English-speaking North Americans. Thou- sands of Canadians and Americans are trudging over the snows as Cartier once did. There are many types of snowshoes which range in style according to topographical need. For flat areas, the kind to wear is tear -shaped with a long tail which acts as a kind of rudder and prevents flopping. In rugged mountain terrain, the shorter bear paw is preferred; mountain -climbing snow- shoes can come equipped with metal grips attached to the frame. In heavy bush, long, narrow, ski -like snowshoes are used. There are a number of explanations for the snowshoe revival. It is an excellent family sport. "Anyone who can walk can snowshoe," says Ron Goudie, CSU promotion co-ordinator. His own children started at about six years old, and he's seen a man of 82 comfortably making his way on snowshoes. No special skills are required and no lessons. Injuries seldom occur: something called "mal de raquette" has been known to strike because a person wrongly exaggerated his walk and pulled some leg muscles. The key to success is to relax, says Goudie, and to remember that walking in snowshoes is surprisingly normal. The shoe width is not sufficient to markedly alter one's usual gait. The sport is good but not exhausting exercise. A little effort is needed, about the same exertion required to walk along a sandy beach. In fact, fervent snowshoers practise for winter races by snowshoeing up and down sandy beaches during the summer months. Elements which brought on the increased acceptance of cross-country skiing no doubt were the same that led to snowshoeing's popularity. Both sports can be quiet, peaceful and uncompetitive. They allow one to go deep into natural surroundings (although snow- shoers insist they can go farther because of snowshoe adaptability to mountain climbing.) Neither activity pollutes nor disturbs the environment. Unlike many other sports, snowshoeing is far from expensive. Participants don't need to buy club memberships, make costly trips to designated territories or dress in any special style. Ron Goudie says an adult can equip himself for the sport with an outlay of S30, the combined cost of snowshoes and soft leather moccasins which lace up either to the ankle or knee. Snowshoes last for years, are easy to repair and easy to store. With the wide variety of snowshoes now being made, customers have a good choice. If the local retail or sports goods hasn't got any snowshoes, they likely are familiar with the names of manufacturers. The new aluminum shoes are very easy to care for, practically unbreakable and very light. Oak and gut ones have known to break but have the advantage of flexibility, useful for keeping snow -packing to a minimum. Plastic snowshoes become snow -packed. Harnesses are of leather or lampwick, the latter of which is more flexible. Snowshoeing took a sudden rise in popularity about five years ago when snowmobiles became so popular. Many snowmobile clubs insisted their members take along snowshoes in case engine trouble developed. Many didn't wait around for engine problems to discover the joys of this ancient sport. Popular today are competitions, such as speed races, hurdle jumping (over 30" obstacles) and marathons.