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Jodi Lundmark, tbnewswatch.com
A Westgate transportation technology class learned the ins and outs of snowmobililng Tuesday morning.
THUNDER BAY -- A local high school’s transportation technology class got a crash course in snowmobile and ATV safety Tuesday.
Students in Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute’s Transportation Technology Specialist High Skills Major program received training Tuesday morning on the operation, safety and legalities of using a snowmobile, ATV or other vessel.
The High Skills Major program gives students a chance to earn a certificate in either transportation or art and culture in addition to their diploma. The students will also get First-Aid, CPR and AED training before they graduate.
The course was still interesting for Grade 11 student Nicholas Pilotte despite him being a lifelong snowmobiler.
“I’ve just been doing it my whole life. I know basically everything about snowmobiling,” he said.
“It’s interesting having them come and explain exactly everything about snowmobiling and safety.”
The morning started with a presentation by North Country Sports about the latest in snowmobiles and the maintenance required with some of the machines.
That was followed by a presentation by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer Ross Johnston who spoke about the rules of hunting and fishing and gave some examples of how things can go wrong when driving a snowmobile impaired.
The morning session also included tips from the city police and OPP about where it’s legal to ride and what kind of paperwork is necessary and the consequences of speeding or driving impaired.