The local cross-country season is going out with a bang and most likely a whimper as the Callaghan Winter Sports Club hosts the second annual Woppet at Whistler Olympic Park on Saturday, April 3.
There are two courses available, a 30 km distance race and a 7.5 cruiser event. Both classic and skate skiers are welcome to take part. Registration is available online at www.zone4.ca for $40 until April 2. Day of race registration is $50 until 9 a.m. on race day.
The snow conditions are still excellent in the Callaghan Valley, especially in the morning after an overnight freeze.
The Woppet gets underway at 10 a.m. and the Cruiser event five minutes later. All entries include a barbecue lunch at the finish.
To make things a little more interesting, the event has partnered with the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association, which is hosting its season-opener Toonie Race on Sunday, April 4. Participants who compete in both events will be ranked by their combined time in the first annual Pole to Pedal Race.
More information on the mountain bike race is at www.sorca.ca.
Kids sailing program returns this summer
This July the Whistler Sailing Association and B.C. Sailing Association are teaming up to offer the Mobile Optimist Sailing School on Alta Lake from July 5 to July 16, 2010. The camps are for kids and include everything from water safety to sailing techniques - terminology, knots and basic skills. There is also a kayak component.
The Optimists are seven-foot boats for kids aged six to 15.
To register, visit www.bcsailing.bc.ca/Content/MOSS/SummerCamps/Main.asp.
WORCA swap, dirt camp dates confirmed
The Whistler Off Road Cycling Association's annual bike swap event will take place on Saturday, April 24. The location is still to be determined, but the April date puts the swap during the World Ski and Snowboard Festival once again.
Used bikes and bike gear can be sold at the swap for $2 per item, plus 10 per cent for bikes over $1,000 and 15 per cent for bikes $999 and under. All proceeds from the swap go towards WORCA's youth programs, including youth Toonie Rides, support for the high school team and WORCA Dirt Camps.
This year WORCA will host eight camps from July 5 through Aug. 27, with four camps for ages six to nine and four camps for ages 9 to 12. Registration will open in May.
Other dates still to be announced include WORCA's Toonie Ride schedule, clinic dates and trail sweep days. Visit www.worca.com for details.
Fundraiser held for injured boarder
Friends of injured snowboarder Keith O'Connor are hosting a fundraiser on April 13 with the goal of providing O'Connor with a top-of-the-line wheelchair and to adapt his home and car to his disability.
O'Connor, 28, sustained a spinal cord injury in late February when he hit some avalanche debris buried under powder in Lakeside Bowl and tumbled down the mountain. He also broke both shoulders in the fall and punctured a lung with a broken rib.
He was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital for spinal cord surgery.
A native of Ireland, O'Conner spent the 2008-09 season working in Whistler, then moved to Vancouver last year with his girlfriend. He is now at home in Ireland to rehabilitate his injury.
The fundraiser takes place at Elephant and Castle on April 13 at 7 p.m. There will be live music, a silent auction, a raffle and 50/50. Everyone is welcome to take part.
For the Record
In our Paralympic coverage we said that Adam Hall was a native of Australia when in fact he is from New Zealand. We regret the error.
