A great Canadian tradition is on the brink of extinction. A cherished part of our cultural heritage is in danger of disappearing forever from the snowy northern landscape.
When was the last time you threw a snowball? Most baby boomers who grew up and went to school around here can recall the good old days when snowballs were legal in these parts.
I can still remember the excitement when, as a kid, I stared out the window at the fresh piles of snow. If it was the sticky variety the word spread quickly and everybody headed outside to build snowmen, make snow forts and of course, throw some snowballs.
Those little white devils would fill the air as they flew everywhere. People were hit with snowballs all the time but it was no big deal. We all wore toques and parkas with hoods so everybody was pretty well protected.
Still, there were casualties. There were plenty of face-washings with snow and even the occasional accidental head shot but mostly it was just good fun with a large measure of fresh air and exercise.
Somewhere along the line it was decided snowballs were dangerous and would not be tolerated in the schoolyard. Many families adopted this non-projectile policy themselves.
As more time went on boisterous play was outlawed altogether, playground activities were made risk-free and projectile-free. As an unintended consequence, outdoor play was seen as too dangerous and eventually evolved into cell phones, texting and surfing the web. All that sticky snow went to waste.
Enter the Japanese. For 21 years they have been promoting the sport of Yukigassen, which, roughly translated, means snow battle. What it amounts to is recreational snowball fighting.
In Japan, Yukigassen teams compete on an official outdoor snow court. They pelt each other with hundreds of pre-made snowballs while trying to capture each other’s flag.
In some ways it is similar to paintball although to me, it seems less aggressive and more natural to lob a few snowballs through the air instead of firing plasticized paint pellets at high speeds. It’s not as messy either.
The fact is, Yukigassen fever is spreading and there are competitive tournaments held every year. There are rules, regulations, referees and organized leagues in eight countries.
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that Canada, which has been projectile-averse for years, currently throws no balls on the international snow stage. How the mighty have fallen.
Happily, however, all that may soon change. This year Saskatoon hosted North America’s first organized snowball fight as 150 competitors gathered to take part in the fun.
The winning team will travel to Edmonton for the 2011 Canadian Yukigassen Championships in March.
Each team consists of seven players, four forwards and three defense. The court is 40 metres long by 10 metes wide. Each end of the playing field has a home chateau and several shelter walls, all built of snow.
A match consists of three three-minute periods. Each side gets 90 snowballs per period to throw at the other team. Once you get snowballed you’re out for that period. If you capture the opponent’s flag, you win. That’s all there is to it.
The snowballs are pre-made to exact specifications and perfectly round. A fancy mechanical snowball maker is the preferred method. Freelance balls from ground snow are not allowed.
Players bundle up for the sub-zero temperatures and wear helmets and visors for protection.
This is only the beginning. Yukigassen Canada has a five-year expansion plan that includes 15 more Canadian cities.
Toronto will soon be throwing snowballs. So will Guelph, Halifax and Winnipeg. So far, Thunder Bay is not on the list.
This is a glaring omission. When I think back to the heyday of snowballing locally and some of the natural talent I saw on those playgrounds years ago, it breaks my heart to think we are being out snowballed internationally by the Japanese, the Norwegians and the Australians. Do they even have snow?
My glory days of snowballing are behind me now. But I know there are still plenty of strong arms and hardy, young athletes around here. It would be easy to field a team and support a Yukigassen franchise in Northwestern Ontario.
And the best thing about it – no multiplex required. All you need is an empty field covered with snow.
We can accommodate that.
When was the last time you threw a snowball? Most baby boomers who grew up and went to school around here can recall the good old days when snowballs were legal in these parts.
I can still remember the excitement when, as a kid, I stared out the window at the fresh piles of snow. If it was the sticky variety the word spread quickly and everybody headed outside to build snowmen, make snow forts and of course, throw some snowballs.
Those little white devils would fill the air as they flew everywhere. People were hit with snowballs all the time but it was no big deal. We all wore toques and parkas with hoods so everybody was pretty well protected.
Still, there were casualties. There were plenty of face-washings with snow and even the occasional accidental head shot but mostly it was just good fun with a large measure of fresh air and exercise.
Somewhere along the line it was decided snowballs were dangerous and would not be tolerated in the schoolyard. Many families adopted this non-projectile policy themselves.
As more time went on boisterous play was outlawed altogether, playground activities were made risk-free and projectile-free. As an unintended consequence, outdoor play was seen as too dangerous and eventually evolved into cell phones, texting and surfing the web. All that sticky snow went to waste.
Enter the Japanese. For 21 years they have been promoting the sport of Yukigassen, which, roughly translated, means snow battle. What it amounts to is recreational snowball fighting.
In Japan, Yukigassen teams compete on an official outdoor snow court. They pelt each other with hundreds of pre-made snowballs while trying to capture each other’s flag.
In some ways it is similar to paintball although to me, it seems less aggressive and more natural to lob a few snowballs through the air instead of firing plasticized paint pellets at high speeds. It’s not as messy either.
The fact is, Yukigassen fever is spreading and there are competitive tournaments held every year. There are rules, regulations, referees and organized leagues in eight countries.
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that Canada, which has been projectile-averse for years, currently throws no balls on the international snow stage. How the mighty have fallen.
Happily, however, all that may soon change. This year Saskatoon hosted North America’s first organized snowball fight as 150 competitors gathered to take part in the fun.
The winning team will travel to Edmonton for the 2011 Canadian Yukigassen Championships in March.
Each team consists of seven players, four forwards and three defense. The court is 40 metres long by 10 metes wide. Each end of the playing field has a home chateau and several shelter walls, all built of snow.
A match consists of three three-minute periods. Each side gets 90 snowballs per period to throw at the other team. Once you get snowballed you’re out for that period. If you capture the opponent’s flag, you win. That’s all there is to it.
The snowballs are pre-made to exact specifications and perfectly round. A fancy mechanical snowball maker is the preferred method. Freelance balls from ground snow are not allowed.
Players bundle up for the sub-zero temperatures and wear helmets and visors for protection.
This is only the beginning. Yukigassen Canada has a five-year expansion plan that includes 15 more Canadian cities.
Toronto will soon be throwing snowballs. So will Guelph, Halifax and Winnipeg. So far, Thunder Bay is not on the list.
This is a glaring omission. When I think back to the heyday of snowballing locally and some of the natural talent I saw on those playgrounds years ago, it breaks my heart to think we are being out snowballed internationally by the Japanese, the Norwegians and the Australians. Do they even have snow?
My glory days of snowballing are behind me now. But I know there are still plenty of strong arms and hardy, young athletes around here. It would be easy to field a team and support a Yukigassen franchise in Northwestern Ontario.
And the best thing about it – no multiplex required. All you need is an empty field covered with snow.
We can accommodate that.
