Sudbury students learn snowmachine safety rules

More than 30 snowmobiles were parked in front of Lively District Secondary School on Thursday, with students eager to get on the snowmachine trails.

More than 30 snowmobiles were parked in front of Lively District Secondary School on Thursday, with students in grades 7-11 eager to get on the trails for the Sled Days with the Greater Sudbury Police Service.

The annual snowmobiling event is designed to teach students safety basics and emergency tips to save lives before they get on the snowmobile trails as a group the following day.

Victoria Zymantas, Lively District Secondary School principal, said safety comes first.

“Just knowing the rules” is important, Zymantas said.

“Sometimes they’re not trying to break the rules. They just are not aware of some of the rules.”

Const. Michel Seuve said teaching youth the rules as soon as possible helps establish good habits.

“If you look behind us here, there are all sorts of generations of snowmobiles out here,” Seuve said.

“So they’re passionate about the sport, and they want to get out there. And it’s important to foster that safe aspect of it when they’re young -- and that spreads.”

Livley students said they learnt a lot from the training.

“I learned some of the hand signals I forgot, so I will get to know them again yesterday,” said Wyatt Kolodinski

“I learned that if you fall into the water, it’s good to wet your glove and stick it in the ice and then freeze them there, too, so that you stay up above the water,” said Braeden Merkley.

Seuve said the program helps foster police relationships with students to reduce the fear of police on the trails.

“We want to foster that community relationship with the kids,” he said.

“So, if they see us on the trails there, they want to stop and they want to talk to us and tell us what’s going on.”

“I feel like it’s very important … that we’re proactive in providing safe trail education,” said Zymantas.

“Using these community partners to provide such an opportunity is a fantastic way to spend a day.”

Confederation Secondary School was also part of the in-classroom learning, and they’ll have their day on the trails in March.