142 - Sunday, February 14, 1999 - North Shore News Start voung to get fit for life JUST a couple of weeks ago while showering, after a swim workout I overheard a conversa- tion between two quite mature gentlemen (i.e. old codgers) on the sub- ject of teens and their place in our society. Essentially, bath were cam- plainirg about how lazy kids are today. How voungsters spend all their spare ume watching or playing with videos and how in their day things were different, by God! (You know the story, walking 10 miles uphill co school in the blinding snow — in bare feet!) Tr has often been said that nothing ages mankind more than to decry the younger generation. If indeed that comment is true (and I clieve it is} then those old boys can’t have a lor of time left on our planet. The vast majority of young adults in our society are hon- est, caring and sensitive human beings who are trving to cope while living through one of the most emotionally challenging periods of their lives. They face the same prob- lems we all expe. ienced trying to make the leap from being children into adulthood, and if anything, that journey has become more and more diffi- cult as our “enlightened soci- ety” continues technologica! improvement at breakneck speed. It is true there are kids out there getting into trouble, but one of the reasons is a lack of purpose or motivation in their day to day lives. Unless we, as parents, start addressing this issue nothing is going to change anytime soon. And there are answers. Onc fies in encouraging your offspring to get involved in something they can develop a passion for — something that excites them and develops . their mind, body and soul. Something like sport. _ Physical activity can be a terrific way of encouraging a teenager’s commitment to a purpose, developing their self- esteem and just maybe learn- ing some positive life skills they can carry into adulthood, There are, of course, hun- dreds of terrific North Shore kids involved in sport, but there are too many others just fluttering aimlessly in the wind because they have no direction or don't get the necessary encouragement to get started. If you have any doubts about the value of athletic activity for our future gencra- tion then read on. Stephen Hall is a Grade 9 West Van Secondary student and has been physically active most of his life. He plays soc- cer, runs track (1,500 metres) and is a rep A hockey player. P’ve known this iad since he was about five years old as » he has grown up with hockey ~ alongside my son, and he is an example of the good thar sport can teach. Stephen is a quiet young man but get him on the ice and he is as committed and enthusiastic a team player as I have ever seen — all that without one ounce of sclfish- ness. I asked the youngster why he was so involved in athletics. “It gives me something to do outside of school as lots of kids who don’t play sports seem to get into crouble with drugs and stuff In’s also. a lot of fun.” Nota bad attitude, eh! That teeling of belonging to a like-minded group thar Stephen enjoys and thrives on can be a powerful environ- ment in which to grow and develop character and self- esteem. North Van's Vanessa Parente plays rugby and sac- cer as well as participating in wrestling and kick-boxing, and the Grade 9 Balmoral Secondary stadent’s thoughts on athictics underscore the development of self-esteem and confidence. “He's something Ib can do with my friends,” she savs. “1 enjoy both ream and fadivid- ual sports and have started to realize the experience has helped me understand how to get along with people in other areas of life.” Vanessa’s involvement in the athletic arena is already teaching hersaluable life skills that can have a real impact in helping her grow into a happy, emotionally secure and suc- cessful adult. (For more on Single Male, age 22 Single Female, age 22 Single Male, age 30 Vanessa sce page 23). Yet another example tor any remaining doubting Thomas, The swim club F coach and work-out with trains at the West Van Aquatic Centre, and there have been many times over the last five vears when we've shared the pool with West Van's competitive age group club, The Otters. Youngsters from ages five to 17+ get expert coaching in all aspects of swimming. One lad who has done par: ticularly well is Andy Andrew. Andy is a Grade 10 student at West Van secondary school and his specialty is the 1,500 metre freestyle (one of the See Sport page 14 VAY LORMOTIVE COLLISION SPECIALISTS B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. = APPROVED CENTRE ALL MAKE COLLISION REPAIRS “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” Alternative transportation arranged TAKING 4 Estimates + 299-9000 Consultation L7i4I5i8. 985-7455 Cast your vote in today’s paper! 1350 “RoadStar Gold savings included. Ask your Autoplan broker about savings and rewards for vehicle awners who've had no at-fault claims for aver 15 years. Source: Compu-Quote, inc. 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