Skip to content

Skipperoos heading to nationals

The Bonnyville Skipperoos are breaking records and taking names.
Earlier this month, the Bonnyville Skipperoos took part in a provincial competition, resulting in six of their skippers heading to nationals.
Earlier this month, the Bonnyville Skipperoos took part in a provincial competition, resulting in six of their skippers heading to nationals.

The Bonnyville Skipperoos are breaking records and taking names.

The local skipping team headed to Fort Saskatchewan earlier this month for the two-day tournament, where they participated in individual and team events including the double under event, 30-second speed, and the endurance event.

While competing for the top spots in their age category, two of their skippers broke provincial records in three of the individual events. Six Skipperoos qualified for nationals.

First-year skipper Janique Dumont not only placed first overall in the under-10 age category, but she also broke the provincial record in the double under event.

In a one-minute window, the 10-year-old skipper achieved a 130.5 score, breaking both the provincial and her own personal records.

Dumont said, “I was really happy, because it's not often you get to break a record like that.”

Competing in the 11 to 12 category was Rylie Landry. She placed third overall in her age group and broke two provincial records for the 30-second event and the three-minute endurance.

Carolyn Landry, co-coach of the Skipperoos, said the coaching staff is proud of the team.

“They exceeded our expectations, they did great,” exclaimed Landry.

In May, six skippers will be packing their bags and heading to Kingston, ON for nationals where skippers from across Canada will go head-to-head for the top spot.

“We are really excited. We will just refine our skills and get ready to do our best when we are there,” Landry said.

Dumont said training for nationals means lots of practicing in order to continue to improve her skills in the individual events.

Joining Dumont and the other skippers heading to nationals is Caydee Dechaine. This will be her second time on the national stage after placing third in her age category in 2016.

This year, the 12-year-old is hoping to achieve the same, if not better.

“I am going to exercise more, and practice harder,” Dechaine said, adding she is excited to be going to nationals for the second time.

During provincials, Dechaine placed seventh in the 11 to 12 age category out of 28 skippers. She said she had hoped for better, but was still happy with the result.

Her favourite event to compete in is the single rope power, and she has a creative motivator.

“I imagine myself on a cliff, and I have a good vision that if I can hold on I can keep going and can keep jumping,”

Landry said all of the skippers performed well during provincials, and the team is proud of how they competed.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks