It’s that time of year — the leaves are changing, that snow itch is getting painful and downtown Nelson once again plays host to costume-clad shenanigans in the form of the SROAMazing Race.
Organized by students enrolled in the Ski Resort Operations and Management Program (SROAM) at Selkirk College, the event is now in its third year. The charity scavenger hunt invades Nelson’s streets on October 19, giving eager participants just a few short weeks to stretch those leg muscles and prepare their creative attire before the event kick-off at the old Extra Foods building in the city’s downtown.
“This is an exciting event that brings the local outdoor community together for a day of pre-season fun,” says Ski Resort Operations and Management instructor Robyn Mitz. “We are all looking forward to those early season dumps of snow and this awesome event will get everybody in the mood.”
The SROAMazing Race includes prizes for completing a series of activities and games around town. Race teams compete for a chance to win a heap of snow sport related prizes. Along with limber legs, participants in the race are expected to bring a camera or camera-phone and a bag for items in preparation for a marathon of silliness combined with a healthy dose of ski industry education-in-disguise.
Teams of four spend their allotted time completing games, finding items and taking photos for points to be totaled at the race close. Prizes from the generous sponsors are significant and fun times are a certainty regardless of winnings. Costume effort won’t go unnoticed as one of the most sought-after prizes is for the best turned-out team.
Funds raised by the SROAMazing Race will be donated to the Avalanche Awareness Beyond the Boundaries Society (AABBS), which provides youth with avalanche trainings and courses to improve their knowledge of the backcountry. With Nelson and the Kootenay area being well known for world class out-of-bounds terrain available for recreation, AABBS is an organization that relates directly to the local populations and the SROAM program.
“Combining the fun with such an important program is a very important aspect of this event,” says Mitz. “And within all of the excitement, it’s important to note that this is a student generated event that’s teaching this year’s class lessons in pulling off such an exercise.”
Pre-registration for the race is now underway. With a significant turnout last year — along with an increase in sponsorship prizes ‚ this year’s event promises to be even bigger.
Registration is $20 per team and is available on race-day, but teams are encouraged to register early at the Whitewater Ski Resort downtown office, L.V. Rogers High School, Selkirk College’s Tenth Street Campus or Ripping Giraffe Boardshop. Doors open on Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m. for registration, along with serving of tasty race fuel at the main event site. The scurry begins at 12:30 p.m. sharp.
For more information contact Ski Resort Operations and Management instructor Robin Mitz at 250-505-1345. More information on the program can be found at Facebook: facebook.com/sroamazingrace.