News
Taking a Shot at Biathlon
The Beyond the Gates program is designed to take students out of the classroom and beyond campus to experience places they have never been before and activities they have never tried before. This past Monday, the Grade 9s in the program travelled north to Mount Washington to try biathlon – a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting – and for the vast majority of students, it fit the bill ideally.
According to Shawnigan intern Ms. Kelsey McGaw, who led the trip, some of the students didn’t even know biathlon existed and were thrilled to discover a new sport. Virtually everyone had cross-country skied previously – many at Ski Week when they were in Grade 8 – but few had tried the skate-skiing style they employed at Mount Washington, instead being more familiar with the classic style.
Although Maya B. had tried biathlon while growing up in the Yukon, she had never attempted skate skiing until Monday. “I really enjoyed the experience, and it was nice to talk to people I hadn’t gotten the chance to interact with before. I think it was very successful. Everyone had a lot of fun, and even though we weren’t the best at every aspect of it, everyone did their best.”
“The students who had done it before were so welcoming,” Ms. McGaw commented. “They were excited to see everyone else sharing their love of the sport.”
With a ratio of one instructor per student, safety was paramount. “It was done really well,” said Ms. McGaw. “Everyone felt comfortable.”
The students learned and practiced both skiing and shooting, then did a run relay race. They did not carry rifles as they skied.
“This was my first time trying biathlon, and it was a unique and fun experience,” said Erik L. “Especially the shooting part, which I thought was the most entertaining. It was definitely a successful experience and I would do it again.”
Ms. McGaw said the biathlon trip was something she will never forget because of the way the students embraced the opportunity, supported each other and learned from experience.
“Because it was so hands-on, all the kids were so engaged,” she said. “Everyone was helping each other. All of them came back with something they loved about it.”
Now in its third year, the annual biathlon experience is exemplary of the values of Beyond the Gates.
“It takes them out of their comfort zone and gives them the equipment to try it successfully,” Ms. McGaw enthused.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
