Blair Sands after part of his first leg from east of Smeaton to P.A. Tuesday (submitted)

By Glenn Hicks

get active

Teacher hits the road to promote youth activity

Jun 12, 2019 | 6:20 PM

A physical education teacher from the north has rolled into Prince Albert having completed the first leg of an epic journey that could see him having to travel 2,600 kilometres on his own power.

Blair Sands from Deschambault Lake roller-bladed and cycled from beyond Smeaton to P.A. Tuesday, as part of an effort to encourage youth to get, and stay active.

“The kids are at risk of the ‘big three’,” Sands told paNOW. “They’re getting diabetes, heart attacks and cancer, some of them from the age of 15; this is what we’re trying to prevent.”

Blair Sands, left, says he’s been inspired by the mentorship of Bob Magee a physical literary consultant with the Prince Albert Grand Council (Submitted)

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Sands calls his self-powered journey around the north a ‘project of prevention’ and said it’s all about encouraging youth to be active because they’re the leaders of tomorrow. He matches the energy and mileage output his students commit to in the gym by hitting the road.

“We don’t want our young people to become sick,” he said. “The biggest thing is to put the kids at the front of this and to motivate them about the consequences [and benefits] of physical activity.”

Blair Sands with John Dombowsky , principal at Kimosom Pwatinahk Collegiate, Deschambault Lake along with his father Mervin Sands outside the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre. (Submitted)

After a stop in P.A. the next leg for Sands will be Wahpeton, then onto Sturgeon Lake, before more stops further north.

Sands raises funds through his journey to help send students on sports trips.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow