NOW Receives Award!

We are pleased to announce Project of the Year from the Local Initiatives Contribution Fund from Patricia Area Community Endeavours. Brad Woodworth from The Northwest Ontario Windsurfing club (NOW) accepts the award from Community Development Committee Chair Bryan Brown.

NOW started 5 years ago out of the growing demand of area residents asking for windsurfing lessons. The club has approximately 40 members to date and holds lessons every Sunday at Sandy Beach Park in Dryden from June through until September. The club is in partnership with the City of Dryden for use of the park during club activities. Members are mostly from the area including Sioux Lookout, Ignace, Vermilion Bay, Dryden and even as far away as Thunder Bay!

The trailer project had come about due to the growing amount of windsurfing equipment the club was getting, and the need to store the gear in a safe and secure environment. Having a trailer would also allow the club to “take the show on the road” so to speak to the surrounding communities.

The club holds an annual event called the ‘Moose Regatta’ with competitors coming from all over the Midwest USA and central Canada. Now in its 7th year, the windsurfing club will be host to The Canadian Masters Windsurfing Championship August 6-8, 2010 on Wabigoon Lake. This national level event is testament to the dedicated hard work of the areas windsurfing community. NOW have confirmed competitors coming from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, California, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and as far away as Sweden! What a wonderful opportunity the region has to showcase all it has to offer! 2010 will see the club bring windsurfing to Sioux Lookout during the Blueberry Festival, Ignace again at the end of June, Eagle Lake hopefully one day during the Pow-Wow week, and a trip north to Ear Falls and Red Lake on a yet to be determined weekend.

The Local Initiatives Contribution Fund (LIF) can provide up to $5,000 for your research, project or event (and more) if it proves to better the community. The guidelines and application are available online, visit www.pace-cf.on.ca – services – community development – local initiatives fund. Contact the Community Development Coordinator for any questions