聽 聽 聽The Wawota Lions Club hosted the 10th edition of its annual quad derby-the club's major fundraiser- on Saturday, April 25, as 677 off-road enthusiasts-riding quads, side by sides, and motorbikes-were welcomed with a 22-mile scenic trail that provided them with a day of fun in the dust, dirt, and mud.
聽聽聽聽 Proceeds from the quad derby are earmarked for numerous community projects, according to Lions member, Garry Dickson. 鈥淲e also partner with other local organizations, with the Wawota Community Rink Board providing a pancake breakfast for the riders, and the Wee Welcome Daycare hosting supper. We even have quad-washing for a small fee. This year, the Wawota Skating Club is in charge of that, so they can raise some money for their club.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e have great prizes donated by our generous sponsors,鈥� says Dickson. 鈥淭heir sponsorship also allows us to award three cash prizes to riders and three silent hand cash prizes to non-riders.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e really appreciate the support of our sponsors, 鈥� says Lions Club president, Doug Bourgon. 鈥淲e can't thank them enough.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淭he support of everyone who is involved in this fundraiser makes it a success,鈥� adds Bourgon. 鈥淲e appreciate them all.鈥�
聽聽 鈥淚t's a real family-oriented event,鈥� adds Dickson. 鈥淎 lot of guys come and bring their young kids, their wives, their girlfriends with them. A lot of them bring their motor homes and camp in Centennial Park or stay nearby. Many of them are here on Friday night and stay through until Sunday, so there's an economic benefit for Wawota and the surrounding area, too.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽 Area landowners have continued to allow the use of their land, so the trail remains the same as in previous years. The route聽 is divided into 鈥済ood鈥� and 鈥渂ad鈥� sections-with good meaning relatively little mud, and 鈥渂ad鈥� meaning a rider is more likely to become stuck.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淎nd a lot of them are more likely to like the 鈥渂ad鈥� trail,鈥� laughs Dickson.
聽聽聽聽 Landowner and Lion Doug Carpenter has allowed the derby across his land since it began. 鈥淭hings have improved a lot since we started it,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here were a few problems in the beginning, but now, the majority of the riders respect the land.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e appreciate that and we can always clean up,鈥� he says, adding, 鈥淢y main concern is that nobody gets hurt. As long as no one is hurt and they have a safe rally, that's my real concern.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Members of the Carlyle RCMP detachment were in attendance to help ensure the safety of participants, according to Lions Club president, Doug Bourgon.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淚t was a safe day for everybody today,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat's our entire aim for this day. We want to raise money, but most of all, we want it to be a safe day for everyone who participates-and it was.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Midway through the ride, the Lions hosted a barbeque at the Cook Shack, which allows the members of the club and their spouses to feed the hundreds of riders on derby day.
聽聽聽聽 Hundreds of participants took advantage of the break and enjoyed the tailgate party-like atmosphere in the picturesque Pipestone Valley, many praising Wawota's hospitality and the event itself.
聽聽聽聽 Chris Spry of Carlyle, who rode with his 11-year-old son, Damien said, 鈥淭he entire rally was excellent. The food was great, the sign in was fast, everything. Last year, I brought Damien for the first time and he rode with me. This year, he rode his little Honda quad and I brought my side by side.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e had an excellent time, and we'll definitely be back next year.鈥�
