Canadian Forces' obstacle course at Winterlude
Lyndsay Morrison
February 8, 2012 — Want to train the way the Canadian Forces do? You can give it your best shot at the obstacle course at Winterlude's Snowflake Kingdom. Suzanne Leonard did just that.
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Suzanne prepares for the Canadian Forces Obstacle Course
Up for a challenge?
The Weather Network's Suzanne Leonard sure was while covering this year's Winterlude festival in Ottawa. She took on the Canadian Forces Winter Obstacle Course, running through mazes, climbing walls and jumping through tires.
"It was harder than it looked, especially wearing snowpants and big snow boots," she says. "Slithering on my stomach and elbows in a snow-lined plastic tunnel was really slippery, and pretty comical."
The course is a simulation of a real Canadian Forces obstacle course. It's intended for kids, as part of the fun at Snowflake Kingdom. Located in Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, Snowflake Kingdom is the biggest snow playground on the continent.
Leonard says she had a lot of people cheering her on during the challenge.
"The little kids that counted me in with a '3, 2, 1!' were very encouraging. Once I was on the course the Canadian Forces personnel were a little tougher with commands like 'Go! Go!' and 'Faster!!'" she laughs.
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The Canadian Forces and TWN team (from left to right) Suzanne, Len Finelli, Producer Tricia Bell, Charles Harpaul, Cameraman Dwayne Oud, Indira Thackorie
Leonard says the obstacle course is a great way to learn a little more about our country's Armed Forces and what they do.
"As lighthearted as it was, tackling the CF obstacle course also gave me a bit of insight about how tough and well prepared our men and women in the Canadian Forces have to be, in order to face the many challenges that come their way. I salute them."
In the end, Leonard completed the obstacle course in one minute.
She was satisfied with the result but said, while trying to catch her breath, "I don't think I'm cut out for the military."
Winterlude runs in Ottawa until February 20.
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