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The Acton Free Press Wednesday Jan 1978 13 Cross country skiing step to enjoyment By Peter Many people have stopped singing the wintertime blues and are doing something to take up the bulk of their recreational time Improving their physical condition and saving money They find all three benefits in the act of cross country skiing Cross country skiing was relatively unknown In this country five to years ago but the activity has exper ienced phenomenal growth recently There is nothing better to put that healthful rosy glow onto your cheeks and exper ience the great brisk outdoor weather and It is an activity which can demand great physical exertion If you want it to The main advantage of cross country skiing is hat you can go practically any where There are regulated and mapped out ski areas at parks in the area but If you so desired you could engage In a touring session on your back lot or at a friends farm You are not Inhibited by a lack of steep hills or rolling terrain Interested Read on A complete cross country ski package can range from to depending on how much you became Involved as with any activity Most sporting goods stores and departments offer at basic beginners package which will provide everything you need to get going There are no tow tickets to buy no great lines to wait In Purchase or rent the equip ment one or two lessons and youre on your way to a healthier and often enriching experience CLOTHING Clothing worn during cross country skiing should be lightweight and loose fitting Materials that absorb per spiration are essential because you generate your own body heat and the mater ials will have to breathe keeping you warm and dry There are stylish touring outfits one can purchase with knickers and high socks being the traditional garb But a regular sweatsuit will absorb moisture and is lightweight as required Those who wear downhill ski pants soon discover the dis comfort caused by a material that doesnt breathe well The elastic pant will have to stretch with each stride and this will tire the cross country skier quickly Two pairs of socks are recommended because this will aid in prevention of blisters and again they breathe better The ski TERRA COTTA Conservation Area has many crosscountry skiers using trails is another popular place for crosscountry enthusiasts in the Acton area boots range in price wilh the that is needed to cross plan to do best The top produce a good pair of will also affect the decision models are usually fur lined wooden skis is no longer Whether you wish to do light and have a steel support in necessary with the manufoc- louring general to heavy the sole Some types should of skis be waterproofed before the skis range from initial outing 70toU0a pair and the more Light wool hats toques and active male and female woollen mittens and gloves beginners should consider are other essentials which morethanlheleastoxpenaive light touring skis These are will add to the comfort and narrower than general tour- enjoyment of the sport Being good wooden skis or skis but many people start warm and comfortable will would do the with ski They can also be trick provldc Uhed radng number of skiing hours for ing are not as stable as gen- dollars invested era touring skis The younger person or any- The skiing expert will one who would only be choose skis inches taller ally participating would be lhan ones self The inter- able outfit themselves for mediate will generally have useful to him or her The or slightly less The big skis eight inches taller and wo mam types of cons iruc- swing in Quebec Is ihe the novicebeginner will have tion ore of wood and fibre- louring or even racing there is a ski designed for the pur pose If you plan on taking a full day lour it Is advisable to get flbreglas and steel poles available The cross country skier also has a choice In footwear The general and light touring classifications are also ap plicable with the general touring boot being heavier and higher at the sides used with a Kandahar binding or heel cable The light touring boot Is not as strong but is more flexible and rises to Just below the ankle The light boot has an extended toe and is used with a toe binding member to wear two pair of socks when being fitted Some people will say the bindings are Just as good as ihe expensive ones Bindings arc not sold on the skis Again materials vary Two major malcrials used are the steel con sidered the best and a PVC plastic binding which is new or coming on the market The plastic binding Is expected to stand up better In colder temperatures and will be less expensive than the metal WAXING Waxing may be he most cruel step taken In prepara tion for an outing II Is an art form and when preparing for competition it becomes a task which requires a great deal of experience and exper tise The Initial in proper waxing Is to make sure your skis are clean Skis that have been carried on car racks and exposed to carbon from exhausts road salt rain and everything else need lo be cleaned upon arrival at jour destination Whenever possible clean and wax your axis Indoors simply because warm wax Is much easier to apply Most waxes are color coded for use on different types of snow For wet snow packing snow above freezing point a soft wax is used on the bottom of the ski If the snow is dry below the freezing and will not pack when grabbed in the glove a hard wax is used Thats basically it Generally soft wax is coded red green or yellow and hard wax Is blue Remember soft wax can be applied over top of hard wax but soft wax must be removed before a hard wax is applied The expert will carry several types of wax with him and competitors will have a select mixture prepared momenta before the race Is to begin Wax In one direction from tip to tall Smooth the wax in with a cork or the palm of your hand If snow sticks to the bottom of your skis you have waxed too sort As a rule the colder the condi tions the harder the wax The low cost sport can be done anywhere but those who arc heavily Involved will tell you to Join a club A novice doesnt need lessons to enjoy the scenery and participatory aspects of sport The axiom Is if you can walk you can cross country ski Of course that is a simplification of the action however stride and coordination of cross country Is very much on exaggerated walking stride The beginner will have to get used to having feet longer normal and lifting he heel but not the ski from the snow The basic stride differs from the walk In that you thrust forward rather than lift Those who have had marching experience will find It easy to swing the arm to a full extension with the opposing foot thrust A defin ite step must be taken You dont shuffle your feet when you walk properly and so you shouldnt when first attempt ing to cross country ski Basically that is it There are movements for climbing steep grades and coasting downhill and these skills would be introduced in early lessons When making a turn on cross country skis one steps the turn starting with the foot on the side In which direction you wish to turn When you start to turn to the right the right foot Is stepped to the right and the other footski is brought to a parallel with a right ski Continue in this manner until the desired amount of turn is reached Cross country skiing was Invented by the nomadic tribes of northern Asia with the purpose of transporting people up the mountains across plains and down valleys There are more than 100 cross country ski resorts in the province and prices at parks run from to for a days skiing BRONTE CREEK Locally Bronte Creek Provincial Park offers a wide selection of groomed cross country ski trails There are five trails outlined In a pamphlet Issued by park authorities The length of the trails varies from half a mile to three miles The Bronte Creek Logging trail is through an bush which is being selec tively logged to provide fire wood for the Spruce Lone Farm There are few large also allow you to spend more lime on the trail CHOOSING SKIS There are numerous types of cross country skis and the serious beginner will have to study what type is skis vary in price range according to materials used in the ski the bottom coating If any and what to choose skis they will bo able to handle- m a four to five Inches above the head As with skis there arc two materials commonly found in poles and fibreglas It is important to purchase the right size ski for your height and weight The lest for choosing the correct ski once you have decided on material is added to Ihe edge wood or fibreglas is to hold of the skis The ski ski vertically on end and aluminum poles is ihe better can measure with an outstretched are lighter and stronger than take the punishment many arm bamboo but are more wooden skis would break The lip of the ski should The aluminum will not undcrandasiscommonwilh come to the centre of your break as easily as bamboo wood the tips will not break palm or to the wrist depend- however if an aluminum pole on your weight If you are bends it will never be bent In the past two years two a heavily built person the ski back into perfect condition domestic manufacturers of should be five cms longer or The poles should reach from fibreglaB skis have opened in if you are light about five the floor to fit snugly into the Quebec The old world crafts- cms shorter The type of underarm There are also THIS WAY DAD Eightyearold Wendy Baker and father Gary Baker of Hamilton were out with the family to Mountsberg Wednesday en- at modest prices A complete package for the day would cost you The 1300 acre park is located west of six kilo meters The trails at Mounts are designed for the novicebeginner and are not particularly challenging to anyone with a great deal of experience There are bird feeders and plenty of deer In the park Its a good place for the beginner or family The public cross country are Invited to use the park at Glen Eden although their ace is for downhill ski ing The Glen Eden hills are visible from Highway and located at Kelso Park The park is located on Miltons doorstep Follow Steele Ave west to the First Line or Town Line and turn right beading north There are signs posted to direct you to the park which is only three or four miles out of town GET GOING It Is always a good Idea to carry a knapsack on your back when setting out This would be useful when shed ding clothing and for carrying a vacuum bottle containing coffee tea or hot chocolate Pack a lunch and Include energy foods such as raisins nuts and chocolate in the sack Carry extra wax and know the only clothing taboo is denim jeans Denim Jeans provide litUe leg room and too much material around the ankle tripping even the best skiers They absorb moisture easily and freeze readily Almost any other type of slacks will do but the woolen knickers and long socks ore best EXERCISE There Is only one other sport better for the diovasculsr system than cross country skiing and that Is long distance bicycle rid ing The skier also uses lus her whole body and muscles In the action from the shoulder and neck to the ankles and toes An active cross country skier will burn approximately 540 calories every hour compared with an adult normally functioning around 73 calories an hour So if you are heavy or would like to get Into trim cross country skiing will certainly provide on outlet for the extra energy you want to spend It can be done alone or with a group of friends or family Since you cant stop winter or speed it up by sitting on joying the cross country ski trails The sport and your posterior in front of the recreation has grown tremendously in Ontario boob tube try cross country over the past two years skiing mammals living In this area of the park due to the high plant canopy which does not provide adequate cover This logging trail may be skied on its own or serve as a link between Farm Row Trails and the Mice Men and Maidens Blush Trails The Mice Men and Maidens Blush Trail Is the best In the park in which to view wildlife Officials call this area a bird watchers paradise with Blue Jays Cardinals Chickadees and Flickers This trail is miles In length The Ravine Edge Trail follows the scenic ravine for half of Its 15 mile length Officials caution skiers to remain at least five feet from the edge Loose snow on the edge or an overhang could prove dangerous and as their pamphlet reads could give you a closer look than you want The longest trail at Bronte is the Field and Forest Trail It touches along the ravine twice and meanders through of various ages and tree varieties There should be plentiful wildlife In this area including deer rabbit and mouse The Field and Forest Trail Is Strictly roughing it as there are no washrooms or garbage facilities yet Bronte Creek Park Is easy to reach from Milton as one drives directly south on High way which Is Bronte or down Tremalne Rd which becomes Burloak Dr The park is just north of the MOUNTSBERG To the West of Milton Is Mountsberg has a groomed cross country trail and has rental equipment I Minor bantams ousted from Etobicoke tourney Acton minor bantams top pled London lam Wednesday at the Internat ional tourney but were elim inated from the tournament later in the day when Kitchener sneaked In a final period goal to take a win week long tourney when they were edged by York Mills in a two game total point opening round series The Kitchener goalie was the main reason for the loss Wednesday as he was bril liant in the nets and ac cording to bants manager Wilt Duval in the running for the best goalie of the tourna- Down J and out JUVENILES ART CURRIE pushes puck in past sprawled Fergus netminder Bryan Povey in last nights win at the arena Currie also plays on Acton Sabres as an affiliated player Minutes later Jeff Shields a former Sabre waltzed the length of the ice to pop in a solo effort over Povey Shields was promptly criticized by man ager Mike Kinal who would rather see a good team effort than individual heroics Acton outplayed Kit chener most of the game but could not beat their net- minder Playing two games in one day hurt the as they skated their legs out from under th by the final period of the game The Kitchener marker came when a clearing pass from behind the Acton nets was intercepted and passed out in front of the goal where Jeff David deflected it past Acton goaler Tim Shields Five minors were called in the game two them going to Acton Better luck The bants were luckier in the first game when play was good for the 51 win Score stood at after the first two periods but a tough checking game by the Acton squad finally wore London down to allow the four final period goals London took a 10 lead early in the first period but Mark Duval tied It up before the butter sounded with a goal from Gord McArthur two teams were scoreless in the second period The Acton shooters broke the game open In the third frame with McArthur being the first to connect He got the puck from Andy Valvods and Jeff McNabb Duval Jumped In a second point four minutes later and the score was Tim Fer- picked up an assist on the marker Rob Vermeulen fired home an effort late in the period and Duval completed his hat trick less than a minute later to account for the final tally Acton were hit by five rallies In the game while collected only two The bantams have a sparking record in Well ington Waterloo play this sea son their only loss coming the hands of Orangeville