Active Champions

Arbutus Walking Club

The members of the Arbutus Walking Club have been meeting and exercising regularly for 23 years.

What Activities Keep You Fit and Active?
Every Thursday at 8:30 am we get together to go walking. We bring a healthy snack and lots of water. There are a variety of walks that we like and we carpool to get there. For the past 20 years, members of our group have also taken two trips annually. Typically, we go to Vancouver Island and Whistler. We also participate in the annual Sun Run.

What Motivated You to Become Active?
In 1984, Chris Harris started up our walking group. It was a great opportunity to be active, explore our province and stay fit. We started with walks then some of us also tried other adventurous outings like hiking, biking, canoeing and cross-country skiing. He inspired some of us to do the Bowron Lakes and the Caribou 50 km Marathon.

How Do You Motivate Yourself to Stay Fit?
Our group keeps us motivated. We have about 25 members in the summer and somewhat less on rainy days in the winter. However, we still get together regardless of the weather.

Thursdays are our special day for walking tours. Some of our group also keep Tuesdays open for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and canoeing. We block out the time and hold the space. Often other issues and relationships try to insert themselves into this time but we hold the line.

What Are the Benefits of Being Fit?
You are able to enjoy life. Walking trips help you appreciate where you live. As a group we see places that we otherwise would not get to. We know that no matter how difficult the week we will get together as friends to exercise and chat.

Who Are/Were Your Role Models?
At 90 years old, Rhoda Stromberg is the senior member of the group. She is still an active participant of the walking club that she helped to start in 1984. With a twinkle in her eye, Rhoda shared "The secret is to keep moving."

Favourite Things?
We like to walk together, chat and have coffee. We have many favourite walks that include: Pacific Spirit Park, Jericho Park, Stanley Park, Richmond Dikes, West Vancouver Shoreline and Capilano River Park.

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