By Sara Moulton
Contributor
The Annual Ski Swap on Saturday, November 9 gave Fernie residents the opportunity to buy and sell new and used equipment while raising funds for the Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST).
The 2013 event proved to be a success, with hundreds of attendees lining up all the way out of the Community Centre doors during both the equipment drop-off on Friday night as well as the actual sale on Saturday. Amy MacCon, the event coordinator, was pleased with the turnout for the event, which is the main fundraiser for FAST every year.
“All the money goes to the Fernie Alpine Ski Team for equipment that we might need: gates, timing gear, all the additional items that the club needs to purchase beyond our regular expenses,” said MacCon.
“This year, we are buying video cameras to record the kids so that when they’re at races their parents can go online and watch.”
The president of FAST, Christina Forsyth, explained the benefits of being a member of the ski team, which is open to children ages four to 18.
“FAST is about more than racing; there’s an enormous amount of life lessons and skills that they learn. Setting goals, reaching goals, overcoming obstacles and fear…all those things translate through life,” said Forsyth.
With 220 members registered for the upcoming season, the money raised from the Ski Swap will certainly be put to good use. More information about the team can be found at www.ferniealpineskiteam.ca, including registration details for prospective members, information about coaches and results from previous races.