The MOMAR has teamed up with FEAT Canada to bring you 9 dynamic speakers in an electric atmosphere.  You will experience 40 years of climbing, extreme skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, freediving, cycling and hiking all in one action packed night of adventures and expeditions.  Join us on Sunday, February 12th, at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver for one inspiring night of speakers.

Click on the link to get your tickets and use the discount code FEAT3G7 to get 25% off the door price.

Do you like BUFFs?  If so, click here for you chance to win one.

Is there anything more synonymous with the start of a new year than hangovers and resolutions?  For me, the hangover wasn’t too bad and I’m working off the same resolution list as in years past. On the top of the list continues to be “Achieve work/life balance…”  and sure I’m one of a billion people with this same goal.

Trying to balance my time producing two MOMAR events and the Big Chop Summer Paddle Series with my demand of my day job and my family life is nothing short of challenging.  And add to that, my need to get outside for some fun on the trails puts even more pressure on that delicate balance.

Back in March 2011, I signed up for Challenge by Choice’s Virtual Coaching Program. I was excited but skeptical that I could find consistancy long term.  However, here I am, nine months later and, wow, what an impact the program has made on my life.

How it works?  Simple.  Adventure athlete and professional trainer, Jen Segger, set me up with daily workouts via the Training Peaks website. I would log in and see my workouts for the next few weeks. The workouts would always vary depending on my training goals but most of the training was running based with different types of workouts (e.g., fartleks, hills, tempo) on different terrain. She also included bike and strength workouts with different objectives for each.

The results have been awesome. Since March, I averaged over five hours a week of training, dropped 10+lbs and feel fitter than I have in a very long time.  I attribute  my success to the simple fact that I feel accountable not only to myself, but also to program and especially to Coach Jen.  It’s a great feeling to get home from a hard workout and log the results into the program, get an email from Jen saying something along the lines of “Good work, B!”

I will admit that fitting the training time into my already busy schedule continues to be my biggest challenge.  However, I’ve made it a priority and the delicate balancing act seems to be adjusting just fine.

Thanks Jen!

The brand new edition of the MOMAR Bike Jersey is now available!  Designed by the boys at Suarez, we are offering a blue unisex version and a female pink version.  Classic in design and strong in quality, the 2011 MOMAR Bike Jersey will get you noticed when riding the trails. 

Be one of the first 25 to purchase the jersey and get it at a special price of $65 (regular $75).  Place your order by March 15th to guarantee your size.  Jerseys can be picked up at the MOMAR Burnaby (or by other arrangements).

To order, please visit the Retail page on the MOMAR site.

The MOMAR Blog is back! A server crash and problems with the install plus me being too busy to get it all fixed in a timely manner puts us months since the last entry.  Now that it’s all fixed, I’ll do my best to keep this updated with interesting and informative blog posts on all things MOMAR and adventure sports.

In the blog lull, I have project managed the Surrey Canada Day and Surrey Fusion Fesitval events, also, we just had our second baby on July 7th.  So, needless to say, my time since the Squamish MOMAR has been nothing short of busy.  The Cumberland MOMAR is just around the corner too and I’m excited for what is always a great event.  I have my scouting trip planned and we’ll see what kind of course route I can design this time.

That’s all for now, keep checking this blog, our Facebook, and Twitter pages for all the latest info!

Cheers,

Bryan Tasaka
Event Director

The winter issue of Get Out There Magazine is now available online.  This issue is packed with great articles, as well as, the BEST event calendar out there.  Click here to start reading.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Marissa and her staff at Get Out There for supporting the MOMAR for another year as a proud Media Sponsor!!!

The new issue of Get Out There Magazine is now on the streets. Click here to check it out.

This issue has a great article written by Suburban Rush’s Shawn Leclair on what its like being a Race Director of an adventure race. It also features a comprehensive marathon guide if you’re interested in just doing one thing… Running 42.2km on the pavement isn’t something I ever want to do but to each their own… ha ha.

Did you know that you can sign up with Get Out There and receive the digital version sent to you before it even hits the news stands? Click here to get your FREE subscription.

The latest edition of Get Out There magazine is now available online.  You can also subscribe to receive the electronic version and it will be sent every two months right to your inbox.  This issue had a bunch of great gear reviews and their event calendar is the most comprehensive one you’ll find.  Click here to view the issue.

There are many times when I’m working on the MOMAR that it hardly feels like ‘work’ and this weekend is right up there on the top of that list!

I made the trip over to Shawnigan Lake to finalize a few sections of the MOMAR course route with Course Designer, Jason Sandquist, and to do a site visit of Merridale Estate Cidery. Joining us on the trip were Michelle Relf and Kari Frazer.

Longtime MOMAR volunteer and formerly my sponsorship contact at the Sandman Inn, Trina White, and her husband Jason Ware were our hosts as they welcomed us to stay at their new vacation rental home “The Shawnigan Chalet”. We were their inaugural guests and it was nothing but awesome. The place had a great view of the lake and a very cozy atmosphere.

Michelle and I started Saturday with a drive through the rural pastures and a stop at Merridale to meet with owner Janet Docherty. The estate is massive with apple trees everywhere, a big cellar where they make their cider, and a bistro where they serve lunch and dinner. Merridale is going to make the MOMAR Friday Night Registration truly special and I highly recommend that you come early and stay for dinner.

We left Merridale excited to meet up with Jason and Kari and get the rest of the course finalized. I haven’t been on those trails since the last year’s MOMAR and we were treated to some great single track that was in great shape following the BC Bike Race. We played in the river and also vetted this year’s orienteering stage. I think everyone should find this year’s O course a bit easier in the sense that the CP flags won’t be so hidden as they were last year. Six hours later, we were back at the vehicles a bit dehydrated and hungry. Good times!

Michelle and I had bought some ribeyes for Saturday’s dinner but after our earlier visit to Merridale we decided to make the trip back for dinner. Showered and clean we all met up again and had an absolutely incredible meal. The food is all local and fresh. I had the Snapper, Jason had the Paella, Kari had the tuna/salmon salad, and Michelle had the Tandori Chicken (see photo left). For dessert we had their Apple Strudel and Apple Crumble with ice cream and of course we washed it all down with their cider.

On to Sunday… Slept in… Ribeye and corn for brunch :0). Computer work. THEN off to Mt. Tzouhalem for an afternoon ride!!! Tzouhalem is my favorite place to ride but I haven’t ridden the trails in over two years. Jason led us (sans Kari, but now with Chris) on a great route through some of the mountain’s best trails (Chicken Run, T-Bone, Field of Dreams, M-One, etc). It was a great end to an amazing weekend.

The only negative was sitting in the ferry lineup for over four hours! I’m an idiot for not making a reservation. Take my experience as a warning if you’re coming over on the ferry for the MOMAR… BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!!! BC Ferries only has a limited number of reservation spots and they go weeks in advance especially now that summer is in full swing.

Thanks again to Trina and Jason for having us stay at your chalet! Thanks to Merridale for the awesome dinner! Thanks to Jason, Kari, Michelle, and Chris for the great weekend of riding and running!

February is a short month but there is plenty of events to cram into your schedule. Here is a list:

Saturday, February 9th (12pm – 10pm) — City of Surrey’s WinterFest featuring a FREE outdoor concert with headliners State of Shock and Daniel Wesley.

Febrary 16th & 17th — BC Outdoor Adventure Show and Vancouver Bike Expo — Come by and visit the MOMAR booth. Print out the coupon below for a 2-1 Admission coupon.

Febrary 16th — Yeti Snowshoe Series – Grouse Mountain

Sunday, Feb 24th — Hatley Castle 8km road run in Colwood (Royal Roads / Victoria).

Here are some cool upcoming events: