Bryan and Tracy Jackson and their son Linden love to ride as a family. They also love giving back to their community, which is why the family is taking home the BC Snowmobile Federation Snowmobile Family of the Year Award for the 2012-13 season.
As their nomination said: Bryan, Tracy and Linden epitomize the ideal Snowmobile Family of the Year. Bryan was first vice-president of the Kelowna Snowmobile Club in 2012-2013, grooming program coordinator, and has sat on the board of directors for the past six years. Tracy was the club refreshment manager at dinner meetings, chief Snowarama prize gatherer for the past three years, and active as a club volunteer for a number of years previous to that. Their son Linden, who is 10, is the 2012-2013 KSC Charity Volunteer of the Year and he raised over $400 in pledges for the 2013 KSC Snowarama .
The Jacksons all ride their snowmobiles whenever they can, and this year Linden completed his first solo circuit of the 75-kilometre KSC Snowarama course in the Graystokes on his own sled.
SnoRiders sat down with Bryan to find out how it feels to win the award and what makes riding as a family so special.
How long have you lived in Kelowna?
I have lived in Kelowna area my whole life, 32 years.
What do you do for a living?
I am a mechanic at a local Ford dealership.
What does sledding mean to your family?
Sledding means a great deal to my family. We wait for the season to start all summer. Sledding has been a long-time passion for our entire family. My grandfather Eric Chapman was one of the founding members of the Kelowna Snowmobile Club and my mom and dad have long been involved with the club, including sitting on the board, which later got me involved on the board level, and then my wife as the club bartender.
How does it feel to win the BC Snowmobile Federation Snowmobile Family of the Year Award?
It feels great and completely unexpected. We feel very honoured.
How long have you been snowmobiling?
I have been snowmobiling for about 22 years, while Tracy and Linden have been snowmobiling for about five years.
What kind of sleds do you ride?
We all ride Skidoos. I ride a 2008 Summit XP 800, Tracy rides a 2007 Summit 600 and Linden rides a 1986 Safari 377.
You guys have done a lot of volunteering for the sledding community. What have you enjoyed doing the most?
Really it all has been enjoyable, but I think running the groomer and rebuilding the cabins have been the most fun.
What do you love most about riding?
Getting out with the family and friends and getting to ride the deep powder on bluebird days.
What do you love most about riding as a family?
Just spending time together and teaching my stepson how to ride responsibly.
Where do you usually ride?
We usually ride the Graystokes park area, but we also ride out of our family cabin in 100 Mile House occasionally.
What is your favourite kind of riding?
I personally like riding the trees and getting in to areas where nobody else has gone and finding fresh, untouched meadows.
What has been one of your most memorable rides as a family?
I think it would have to be our annual poker run with the club at Graystokes. There is always lots of families and friends with great food and a ton of prizes for the kids.
