Sundogs Newsletter

SunSpots

Racing Sundogs

After a few years out of the distance racing excitement, Sundogs returned to the sport and trained up a couple of teams for the Torch River Run held March 3 - 6.


Operator Brad Muir and rookie racer Tyler Guillemin, a Sundogs guide, put together teams which placed 4th in the ten-dog, 200 mile race and 1st in the six-dog, 75 mile event respectively.


The ups and downs of the Narrow Hills Provincial Park and vicinity were definite challenges for both dogs and mushers. It was billed as a race ‘by mushers for mushers’, a statement it lived up to with many truly wilderness miles through beautiful country. The trail ran for 200 miles between Christopher Lake and Tobin Lake.


“The 47 hours of our ten-dog race were packed with intensity, action and emotion. I lived many peak life moments, made fantastic memories and forged new bonds with those wonderful animals, sled dogs,” says Brad about his second, major mid-distance run. “Pacing; not always speed.  Trust your dogs. Never give up. And write a new mushing song every time you race,” he added.


Brad, Tyler and the sled dogs extend thanks to the race organizers, checkpoint officials (many who literally opened up their homes for the mushers), trail boss Stewart Elliott, race marshall Jim Tomkins , the communities of Christopher and Tobin Lake and many sponsors. 

(see www.torchriverrun.com)


Thanks also to Redmond Fox our truck driver and dogtrailer manager.

Dogsled racer for Sundogs with leader.

Tourism Ambassador award

This June, Brad Muir, Sundogs owner-operator was invited to Saskatoon to receive the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council’s  (STEC) Tourism Ambassador Award in the Recreation & Entertainment category.


Only three individuals in various categories were acknowledged with this award this year. Brad was pleased and surprised when his name was announced at the annual banquet.


The award was given for his contribution to the development and support of the Heritage Interpreter occupational standards over the past 20 years. “Interpretation is a pillar of meaningful, sustainable tourism.  It is part of every tourism offering with Sundogs and every other tourism experience I am a part of.  There has been movement in Saskatchewan towards the Heritage Interpreter standards recently and I am proud to be a part of it.  STEC has done a tremendous job in this area. Congratulations to the people in the organization who have kept the process moving, especially regarding the recent review of the standards.”, says Brad.


This is the second Tourism Ambassador Award which Brad has received.

your plans to mush this winter

Bookings for the upcoming 2010-2011 mushing season are being taken now.


Remember to ask about dryland training and dryland Puppy Camps for a this September and October. It’s your introduction to sled dogs on your next trip to the boreal outside of winter.


Long may you run...

 

The 200 Mile Sundogs Team was:

Wheel - Nimbus & Wassagam

Team 1 - Calypso & Ganymede

Team 2 -Eclipse & Bijou

Point - Meow Meow & Aspen

Leaders - Arcturus & Aster


The 80 Mile Sundogs Team included: Etoile, Leggs,Willow, Koyuk, Ranger and Equinox.

Sundogs dogsled guide races
Sundogs race team leaders and Brad Muir