dining arts business

NORTH SHORE J!
Being prepared
and responsible

NEWS photo Terry Peters

HIKING in the mountains is one of the perks living on the North Shore allows.
’ However, increasing usage has led to a steady increase in the number of search
and rescues performed annually. New safety guidelines have now been drafted.

Getting ski fit will r

AROUND this time of year my
teenage son starts praying in carnest
— for snow.

He has just converted his hard-earned
money garnered as a bus boy at West
Vancouver's Bay Moorings Restaurant (terrific
food incidentally) into a seasan’s pass at
Cypress Bowl.

Stephen is in excellent physical condition
as a result of tough hockey training and many
of the muscles he has developed on the ice
can be recruited for downhill skiing and
snowboarding.

For many less active people however, a
carefully designed 4- to 6-week development
program should be considered as a precursor
to starting the season. One will not only ben-
efit by being able to perform at a higher level,
but the added conditioning will also greatly
reduce the risk of injury.

Following are some examples of exercises

that can be performed so as to achieve a rea-
sonable level! of fitness and allow onc to fully
enjoy the beautiful North Shore skiing.

Aerobic component: Acrobic fitness is the
cornerstone to physical heath
irrespective of the sport and
there are easy and convenient
ways to train in this area
including jogging, cycling and
swimming.

One can also train indoors
at the various recreation cen-
tres and take advantage of
treadmills, stairmasters and
stationary cycies.

Anaerobic component:
This area of fitness deals with :
development of the system that delivers explo-
sive force and short bursts of activity as is seen
in speed oriented sports like sprinting and
hockey.

Plyometrics is fast gaining popularity for

A week after a nice hike
in the North Shore
mountains you receive a
$150 fine attached toa
photo of you standing
at a trailhead.

You recognize yourself in
the grainy color image because
you’re wearing your favorite
tennis shoes and tank-top.

The letter is marked North
Vancouver RCMP, and vour
sin is “Wearing clothing
unsuitable for the outdoors.”

Sound far-fetched? Maybe
so, but so do (did) cameras at
intersections. That Orwellian
approach to making our
streets safer is in response to
increasing carnage on our
roadways. Likewise, cameras in
the woods would be used to
fine people who stumble into
the North Shore woods
unprepared.

Search and rescue statistics
reveal that more and more
people get into trouble in the
B.C. outdoors cach year.
Considering, the close proximi-
ty of the North Shore moun-
tains to an <panding
urban behemoth, it’s likely
that trend will continue.

But not if local potice,
search and rescue members
and other officials have their
way, Over the past few
months, representatives from
these and other organizations
have come together and
formed a common front to

romote outdoor safety guide-
lines.

“Our goal here is to stress
individual responsibility when
people venture outdoors
North Van RCMP Inspector
Jamie Graham said at a press
conference last Wednesday.
“Each and every person that
ventures outdvors or engages
in outdoor activity must take
responsibility for their own
actions.”

Graham was joined by
West Van police, North Shore
Search and Rescue members,
North Shore ski hill operators
and other emergency response
officials ro launch the new

duce risk

Wednesday, Novernber 19, 1997 — North

FE

safety guidelines.

“Our point is this — statis-
tics reveal some startling infor-
mation,” Graham said. “Last
year alone there were over 360
searches and tragically 12 peo-
ple died (in B.C.).”

He added: “Common
sense is the key word. We've
had cases on the North Shore
of newcomers arriving up on
Mc. Seymour with open-toed
shoes and wearing cocknail
dresses.”

Another aspect that trou-
bles search officials is the sense
of security a cell phone
affords. Rescue officials fear
that they are being looked on
as a BCAA-type service for the
outdoors. In other words, if
you get lost, give them a call.

For the Nord: Shore
Rescue’s Dave Brewer, such
sentiments are the precise rea-
son that the new outdoor safe-
ty guideline program is

required.

“For the 4,250 men and
women who provide or deli
the search and rescue service,
this (initiative) is fantastic,”
said Brewer. “We are now
going to provide the individu-
als with a code of responsibili-
ty.”

” ‘Tips for exploring the out-
doors:
¢ Tell a responsible person
your destination.
© Never hike alone.
¢ Be prepared for your chosen
hike. .
If you become lost:
* Do not panic.
© Stay where you are.
¢ Do not go downhill (even if
Y ity lights).
© Use signalling devices.
© Build or seck shelter.

And always carry the 10
essentials:

1) Flashlight (with spare bat-
teries and bulbs).

2) Firemaking kit (waterproof
matches/lighter,
firestarter/candle).

3) Whistle.

4) Pocket knife.

5) Compass and map.

6) Emergency shelter.

7) Water and food.

8) Hat or toque.

9) Extra clothes {rain gear,
sweater).

10) First aid kit.

1995/96 B.C. Search & Rescue Statistics”
‘OP TEN CATEGORIES SEARCHES | INJURED | DEAD [NOT FOUND!
me ocagene REQUIRED " | f ; |

REQUIRING SEARCH/RESC!
1. HIKERS

2. WALK AWAYS / REST HOMES
3. BOATERS

TOTALS TOP 10

TOTALS ALL CATEGORIES

Core Pom inerecy Pagar, $C Sates BENS

| gv | 126 |

of injury

some cases before) always make sure you've

enhancing this aspect of training and can be
performed successfully with minimal equip-
ment at home or in a gymnasium.

The concept is to exercise muscles to reach
maximum strength in as short
a time as possible.

For skiing and snowboarding
fans this would focus on the
lower limbs and invuive drills
such as stair hops, step jump-
ing and hip twisting and hop-
ping.

Strength component: One of
the more obvious areas and
also one of the easiest to mea-
sure improvement on.

Drills such as leg lunges, leg
press, quarter squats and eccentric drop squats
will go a long way to help maximize overall
leg strength and endurance.

Flexibility component: This is really
important. After any form of exercise (and in

completed an appropriate stretching routine.

For skiing and snowboarding, focus on
hamstrings, quads,hip flexors and hip adduc-
tors.

A foornote: Make sure you get appropriate
direction from a professional trainer on all of
the above areas so as to maximize your valu-
able time and avoid injuries. If you’re not sure
of your physical state check in with your fami-
ly doctor first.

Take the initiative. Get out there. Enjoy
yourself and challenge your limits.

A thought: “If you always do what you've
always done, then you'll always be what
you’ve always been.

Shane Collins is a physical trainer and ath-
letic coach as well as an accomplished ultra
endurance runner and marathon swimmer. The
West Vancouver resident is the president of
Pacific Bodyworks and can be reached at (604)
921-0726.