The story for the year in sports was similar to the story of the year in Squamish 鈥� growth and the potential for a lot more in 2015.
It was another fun year for me on the sidelines and without further ado, here are my top four sports moments from 2014.聽
Squamish Wind/Surfski Championships
The first ever Squamish Wind event in July was a massive success, drawing hundreds downtown and aside from the music and art, the real draw was Squamish鈥檚 oceanfront as a sports centre. There were demonstrations of all sorts of watersports the entire weekend and combining with the Squamish Open Annual Regatta put a lot of focus on the water. Kiteboarding also took over the Spit with big air and trick competitions.
Another big event on the water was the first ever Canadian Surfski championships in August and it also put a big spotlight on Squamish. Hundreds of paddlers travelled from Porteau Cove to Downtown Squamish along the water and next year鈥檚 race should be even bigger. Kite Clash also took over the Spit in August and these events helped put a focus on Squamish鈥檚 water, attention which has been lacking the past few years.
Sports academies
For years, young Squamish athletes had to travel to schools in West Vancouver or elsewhere to play their sport of choice while attending school 鈥� but in 2014 that all changed. The soccer academy at Don Ross Secondary School and the hockey academy at Howe Sound Secondary School were both big steps forward for youth sports in Squamish. The dividends should pay off in the future for local athletes.
Gondola opening
The grand opening of the Sea to Sky Gondola in May has changed the landscape of sports in Squamish and should continue to do so for years to come. New trails and new opportunities for so many different types of athletes came with the completion of the gondola and it was put to use very early.聽
The Skyline Ridge Run in June put on by Jen Segger and the Challenge by Choice group was the first big run and the Coast Mountain Trail Series also ran the Sky Pilot trail race in September. 2015 should bring even more activity to Squamish鈥檚 best new attraction.
Quest basketball
This past year should be recognized as the year Quest became a legit basketball power in the Canadian college system. The women鈥檚 team won a Pacwest provincial title and the men鈥檚 team hosted the Canadian Nationals and finished fifth. Quest is becoming well known as a basketball power, and home games are one of Squamish鈥檚 best kept secrets for entertainment value on a weekend night.
See you on the sidelines in 2015 Squamish!
