Local teen proving to be a Champ on the water hooked up with the 48-yearold Borg for some regattas and the partnership has worked Although he's been sailing well with a few race victories competitively for just a couple to their credit this summer. of years now, it's not surpris"I started sailing at our ing to those who know local cottage when I was about 10 native Marshall Champ that because my whole family's alhe'd represent Canada in the ways been into sailing and I sport one day. love it," said Champ. The 19-year-old qualified in "Georgian Bay is amazthe spring to wear the red and ing to sail on. As far back as white at next month's Pan- I can remember, our family's American Games in had like four Hobie Mexico after he and 16s sitting on the partner Dan Borg of beach in the baseMississauga raced ment at the cottage their Hobie 16 to is full of old windthe top finish by a surfing gear. We got Canadian boat at into kite boards for the North American a couple of years Championships in too." Florida. A Georgetown Champ has spent District High his summers at MARSHALL School graduate, Woodland Beach on CHAMP Champ weighs just Georgian Bay (near 125 pounds, so with Wasaga Beach) since the minimum body his birth and growing up really weight for the two people on wasn't interested in many oth- the boat at 285, he and Borg er sports other than sailing. are usually right at the limit or His cousin, Kevin Stittle of a couple of pounds under, proOrangeville, was fourth at the viding an advantage in speed 2008 Summer Olympics in and agility on the water over China in the tornado class and most competitors. took Champ on as a partner They've been training three on the catamaran a year later. or four nights a week this sumWith Stittle having recently mer at Cherry Beach in Toronswitched his competitive fo- to along with some weekends cus to windsurfing, Champ at Woodland Beach. By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer SPORTS & LEISURE 11 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Georgetown's Marshall Champ (left) and Daniel Borg of Mississauga will compete together for Canada on this Hobie 16 at the upcoming Pan-American Games in Mexico. Submitted photo "(Borg) is used to sailing in Toronto through the week and I'm used to sailing at my cottage, so between the two of us, we've got a pretty good handle on the different conditions we'll come across," said Champ, who, like Borg, works for Toyota Canada. "Down in the Caribbean, it blows hard all the time, so maybe light for them would be kind of breezy for us. But I hear it's fairly light, and we tend to do better in lighter winds." Champ and Borg are currently ranked third in North America and will be in a field of eight countries at the PanAms, which will be based in Guadalajara, but the sailing venue is located at Puerto Vallarta. The event runs from Oct. 14-30 and the sailing races begin on Oct. 17. Used equipment wanted The Georgetown Soccer Club will be collecting used soccer shirts, shorts, socks, shoes, shin guards and balls at its Closing Day on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Trafalgar Sports Park, with all contributions sent to children in Africa. Booths will be set up at the TSP from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the items collected are destined for Tanzania and Kenya. Also at Closing Day, volunteers will sell pizza as a fundraiser to benefit the Jumpstart program and Canadian Tire money donations would be appreciated. For more info on the uniform drive, call Anita Bergsma at 905-877-5763 or email anita.n.Bergsma@ gmail.com GSC members honoured: The Georgetown Soccer Club recently received a pair of awards at the Ontario Soccer Association's Club Development Conference in Markham. Former Canadian women's national team star Kara Lang of Oakville (left) presented GSC president Alice Strachan (second from left), public relations director Karen Bajic and registrar Eustace Collins with the OSA's Silver Excellence Award. The OSA has three levels for its excellence award, with the GSC having achieved the bronze status two years ago. Each level has various requirements that must be completed with respect to an organization's efficiency, governance and policy development. As well, Bajic, the GSC's Volunteer of the Year Award nominee, was one of two recipients of the OSA's Volunteer Appreciation Honourable Mention Award for her 20 years of hard work and dedication to their organization and to soccer as a whole. Submitted photo THE TIME IS NOW FOR 2012 CIVIC'S! Play the Georgetown Honda · Prizes · Special Discounts & More! e! Visit us for more details. PLINKO Challenge! + L & Lease Financing F From 0. 1000 Gas Card 99% Equivalent Discount *See dealer for details **O.A.C. * ** +$ or * www.georgetownhonda.ca *See dealer for details 316 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1818 905-874-3021 HONDA