WALK CAPE BRETON

A Message From our newest Atlantic Club:


FUNDY VOLKSSPORT CLUB located in Saint John, New Brunswick


President Steve Anderson



Explore Our Past, Discover Your Fitness Future with Volksmarch Fun!



In the same spirit that led Sieur deMons and Samuel de Champlain to our region 400 years ago, area residents and visitors alike are invited to "explore our past, and discover your fitness future" by enjoying the new Fundy Volkssport Club's premiere heritage walk in Saint John on Saturday, June 19.

The Celebrations 400 Heritage Walk is designed to give folks a taste of what Volkssports (German for "people's sports") is all about: fun, friendship, and fitness! Across Canada and around the world, millions have discovered through Volkssports that few things encourage physical activity more than enjoying the outdoors together, having fun and making new friends in the process. Volkssports identifies and promotes safe, scenic and circular activity routes, along with occasions for people to get out together for fun and fitness. In its first year, the Fundy Volkssport Club offers a year-round uptown walk including Lily Lake and Mount Pleasant, and a seasonal Rockwood Park walk. The Celebrations 400 Heritage Walk is an "event walk" - a one time only walk intended to compliment the many activities being offered in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of the naming of the Saint John River by Champlain.

"This walk promises some fun and interesting surprises all along the way! We've had wonderful response by groups and organizations along the walk route, and each looks forward to introducing something special about our city and its - or 'our', rather - heritage. So instead of just walking past everything from point A to B, a souvenir passport/guide and walk instructions will inform you as well as provide fun stops to learn and discover a bit about Saint John's past and present. Bring your camera, as there will be many terrific photo opportunities!," promises Mr. Anderson. "I mean, when's the last time you and Champlain or Madame LaTour got together for a great snapshot?" The route will lead walkers to other fun Celebrations 400 activities, such as the flea market at Harbour Station, which plans to have a costume contest. Passports are "stamped" at each designated stop, and participants get a "Thank you" package when they complete the walk. A number of gift items will be raffled, with proceeds going to new walk routes for 2005.

The walk (or 'Volksmarch') has been designed for everyone's enjoyment. "Many asking about it are relieved to learn that it is a walk, not a race," emphasizes Mr. Anderson. "And that's a feature of Volkssports that many will appreciate - it is non-competitive. After all, what is more discouraging than checking out something offered by a fitness group or activity club, just to have others leave you in a cloud of dust? Or to be tempted to push yourself beyond safe limits? Volkssports supports and celebrates everyone's efforts, and encourages everyone to participate at a safe and comfortable pace. A good guideline is 'walk and talk' - if you have to catch your breath in order to walk and talk, you probably need to slow down a bit."

The walk options encourage maximum participation. For families, the Celebrations 400 walk route is fully paved, so perfect for strollers. Much of the walk is on level grade, with only a few steep hills. And while experienced walkers will appreciate the full 11 km walk route, others can enjoy a leisurely 5 km uptown circle, a scenic 6 km Harbour Passage, Douglas Avenue & Fort Howe circle, or the 4 km mobility challenge Harbour Passage walk suited for wheelchairs and walkers. Everyone is welcome including pets, provided they are on leash and cleaned up after, and young people 16 years of age or less being accompanied by a responsible adult. A hallmark of Volkssport activities is that they go rain or shine, so Mr. Anderson advises, "Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather."

A popular motivational feature of Volkssports available to members is its international achievement program, with distinctive pins, badges and certificates for a variety of walking milestones. Celebrations 400 Heritage Walk participants will receive free credit toward future awards, should they later choose to join the club and become a Volkssporter. "We hope they will!," says Mr. Anderson. A low-cost annual membership fee of just $10 goes toward new walk listings in the region. "The first thing many people ask is, 'Do you have a walk here, or do you have a walk there?' The answer to that is, 'Join the club and we'll soon have those walks too!'"

As for all Volkssports events, participants must register by signing a waiver of liability, however the walk is free of charge. A limited number of souvenir passport/guides and thank you packages will be available on a first come, first served basis. Registration begins at 9:00 am at the Market Square Atrium, with guided uptown walk starting at 10:00 am. Assisted registration with self-guide materials are available until 2:00 pm. All walk routes start and end at Market Square.

For more information about the Canadian Volkssport Federation and other walking events across Canada, visit the web site at www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/CVF/. For more information about the Fundy Volkssport Club and walking opportunities in Saint John, contact the club president at 672-8254 or by email:
Steve Anderson