Sharon Northcott is a volunteer for the McMurray Sno-Drifters snowmobile club in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Her devotion to the club and to the snowmobiling community in general has made her one of those rare individuals that truly deserves recognition. I was fortunate enough to speak with Sharon, and hear about some of her experiences. As a volunteer, Sharon has been extremely dedicated for several years.
“(I have volunteered) with the Sno-Drifters basically right from the time we started 19 years ago,” said Sharon.
Despite her phenomenal contributions, Sharon comes across as being very modest and seems to find her greatest reward to be “the satisfaction of helping out with the club.” Indeed, since its establishment in 1990, the Sno-Drifters club has blossomed into a well-known community.
“When we first started out with the club there might have been, maybe, half a dozen in the club,” said Sharon, “and it just worked its way up?now we have…200 to 250 members. We have poker rallies, which of course I help out with?and the last couple of years I have been organizing them. I keep busy.”
She also has a great appreciation for the sport of sledding, and enjoys it no matter what the conditions.
“I like trail riding and I also like mountain riding,” said Sharon. “They are both my favourites. (I like) just being in the outdoors. We are very outdoorsy people.”
Even with her busy schedule at the club, Sharon found time to take part in the 2006 Relay for Breast Cancer, a rigorous ride that would test the endurance of even the most experienced sledder.
“It was funny how it came about,” said Sharon. “My girlfriend Darcy—who was actually chosen for the Alberta ride for breast cancer—she ended up getting pregnant. She still went, but she was in the truck the whole time as I rode for her. It was a week (long); we went from Cold Lake, Alberta, to Grande Prairie, Alberta. I rode with two other girls from Alberta who were chosen as well, so it was very rewarding. If they find a cure I would be so satisfied that I was part of that help or that find. That was a great experience—I don’t even know what to say about that. It was one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.”
Thank you Sharon, for being one of the dedicated people who prove that sledding is far more than just a sport.
