The Time to Try Something New

My mother always said, "How do you know you don't like it if you haven't tried it?". Mind you she was usually talking about peas, liver, and mushrooms, but I have to admit she was right, and I have to admit I have said the same thing to my own kids.

At the Lethbridge Sport Council, we want you to be able to try new sport and recreation activities with our #YQLChallenge and 52 sports in 52 weeks. Both initiatives are part of a larger project called Lethbridge 2017: Get Active Through Sport, which is a year-long celebration of Canada's 150th.

For #YQLChallenge, we put together a list of 150 things to do in Lethbridge, most of which can be done at little or no cost to you. On our new website, lethbridge2017.ca, (sorry, website no longer available) you can find information about where, when and how you can do the activities, and sometimes interesting and unusual variations on the activities. Here's a sample of the activities included in #YQLChallenge: 4 square, bean bag games, Chinese skipping, double dutch, golf, kubb, nordic walking, shoe shoeing and much more. There are so many activities that might be new to you, and who knows, if you try it, you might love it! If you are signed up for the challenge, you can also pick up a coupon that will give you a discount on a Lethbridge Public Library membership, giving you access to their large collection of loanable equipment. You can sign up for #YQLChallenge as a family, an individual, a group of friends, a team, a collection of co-workers or with anyone you like.

Erika Yee at Lane Archery has been a #YQLChallenge fan (and one of the first to register) from the moment she heard about it and not just because archery is one of the 150 activities to try. Lane Archery is offering a special experience to everyone registered and taking part in the challenge. Register at Lethbridge2017.ca/yqlchallenge, (sorry, website no longer available) and the first 25 registered participants to check in will receive a FREE recurve rental and lesson at Lane Archery.

Participants of 52 in 52 have had the opportunity to try hockey, sledge hockey, lacrosse, and boxing so far, and in February will be able to try trampoline, tumbling, circus arts and indoor archery. Introductory sport sessions will be planned all year long, so participants can take a crack at a huge variety sports with no experience or pre-requisite skills needed. Best of all, you can try the sports in a fun environment with a ton of other people who might be trying for the first time as well.

Chelsea Sherbut didn't hesitate to sign up for 52 in 52 as soon as she heard about it. She loves the concept because "I'm not a really sporty person and this is a great opportunity to try a great variety of sports that I haven't had the chance to try before, in a low-pressure setting with other people who are learning and trying together". When asked what she hopes to get out of being part of 52 in 52, Chelsea tells us she wants "to be more sporty, and more confident to try new things, and hopefully learn some new skills". Her favorite sport so far? "Oh my goodness, the sledge hockey! I LOVED the sledge part, I wasn't so good at the hockey part, but that's ok!"

If you want to try new activities in 2017, we encourage you to visit our website www.lethbridge2017.ca (sorry, website no longer available) to learn more about 'Lethbridge2017: Get Active Through Sport'. There really is something for everyone, no matter your age, fitness level or goals. Besides #YQLChallenge and 52 in 52, you can also find and attend sport events you’ve never seen before and CHEER ON by checking our sport event calendar, or be part of our Volunteer Hour Tracker to lend a hand to a sport event or organization! We invite you to register online and engage on social media using #Lethbridge2017. Full details can be found at www.lethbridge2017.ca

- Tanya Whipple

Originally published in the Lethbridge Herald on February 10th, 2017