Local students complete snowmobile safety training

Twenty-seven youths participated in the 2010 Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Safety Training. On Saturday, December 11, students and volunteer instructors gathered at the old airfield by Devil Track Landing to practice what they learned in the classroom. Above: Instructor Brad Thompson demonstrated how to change a drive belt and then Instructor Eric Nelms gave some other snowmobile pointers. Left: MN DNR Conservation Officer Mary Manning explains the snowmobile safety obstacle course as a student prepares to take off.

Twenty-seven youths, ages 12 to 15, participated in the 2010 Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Safety Training. The training included work in the classroom and a very cold day at the old airfield on Devil Track Lake. Students were required to pass both a written exam and field test covering a variety of topics that included winter survival, snowmobile regulations, driving skills, courtesy, and ethics.

All students passing the course received their temporary permits and a copy of the new state snowmobile laws.

Successfully completing the training were Daniel Ahrendt, Owen Anderson, Zoey Anderson, Krissy Backstrom, Jaret Baker, Rory Bakke, Casey Deschampe, Dylan Deschampe, Maranda Deschampe, Mariah Deschampe, Richard Furlong III, Lily Gruber-Schultz, Tarin Hanson, Emily-Kate Jacobson, Benjamin Kroska, MaeAnna LaFavor, William Lamb, Jeremiah Nelson, Carolina Palmer, Lucas Phillips, Joseph Semhric, Alex Slanga, Sky Smith- Owens, Colton Thompson, Hanna Toftey, Sarah Toftey.

 

As of October 1, 2002 any resident born after December 31, 1976 must have a safety certificate to operate a snowmobile anywhere in Minnesota.

This program would not be available to our county’s youth without the support of the certified snowmobile safety instructors who volunteer their services to teach this course. This year’s instructors were Eric Nelms, lead instructor; Bob Sopoci, Kim Linnell, Aaron Schmidt, Steve Lashinski, Brad Thompson, Dick Parker. The DNR Conservation Officers taking part were Darin Fagerman, Mary Manning and Tom Wahlstrom.