One facet of the Royal LePage Snow to Surf Race which takes place on April 23 next spring is the tangible financial benefits it has brought to the Comox Valley.
Many tournaments happen each year in this community, but mostly serve to equalize the dollar outflow when local athletes travel to other communities who also hold tournaments.
While this activity generates bucks on a regional basis it’s in contrast to the Royal LePage Snow to Surf. No similar event exists to draw teams and dollars from the Comox Valley.
How big is the impact ? Over 35 years an estimated $13,000,000 to $15,000,000 has found its way into the local economy with the gap between these numbers representing money spent on accommodation, meals and entertainment by competitors, supporters and spectators.
Preparations for next April are shaping up nicely. Race Bosses for each leg will have race Instructions and Rules in place by the end of this month and are looking forward to judge the entries for both T-shirt and Awards arriving by email at @ snowtosurf.com or at the offices of Royal LePage in Courtenay.
Both contests give local artists and crafters exposure and contribute to the community participation that has a central place in the hearts of Valley residents.
Each team in the event has its own group of supporters, husbands and wives, friends, neighbours, co-workers and children. But one team, call it “Team X”, goes unheralded each year. Quite simply, “Team X” is a fantasy team pulled together from the best times recorded on each leg of the race by one of the Race Bosses just for the heck of it.
But, it points to the potential of the race. Last year “Team X” beat the actual winner by better than 19 minutes! Racers, can you beat “Team X” ?
For more on the event, visit www.snowtosurf.com
