Analysis Of The Sleeping Giant Loppet

March 3, 2018, I had the opportunity, along with half of my peers in the Group Dynamics Class in the Outdoor Recreation Program, to attend the Sleeping Giant Loppet. I did not only participate in the Sleeping Giant Loppet as a competitor, but I also had the privilege to contribute as a volunteer. Both experiences have made a valuable impression, one that is imprinted in my mind and identity.

The Sleeping Giant Loppet, formerly known as the Sibley Ski Tour, has been a tradition enriched in the Thunder Bay culture, as well as the Outdoor Recreation community. Outdoor Recreation students have had a present role in the development and continuation of the Sleeping Giant Loppet. This on-going tradition between Outdoor Recreation students and the

This sense of community amongst competitors and spectators at the Sleeping Giant Loppet is rather remarkable. My participation in the Loppet created a high sense of accomplishment, community and acceptance for me. I believe that this sense of community and the need to belong and be part of a group is one of the main reasons why people engage in sporting events or festivals, like the Loppet.

As a runner, I understand the appeal to inclusion within a group or community. I also understand the sense of internal satisfaction and reward for competing and finishing an event like the Loppet. Even though I have a good background in experiencing this sense of community and accomplishment, it never fails to amaze me every time I compete. The Loppet was another learning experience for me. It was a learning the art of cross country skiing and sportsmanship. For others, perhaps more serious skiers, it could be a learning experience of competing itself and getting a sense of true competition. That was one thing that surprised me about the Loppet; It was a true competition that catered to those competitive athletes but also had the fun-open atmosphere for those who are less competitive, like myself in this sport. Not many events can balance competitive and recreational. For example, in my running I have competed in high state competition as well as fun weekend runs. The Loppet was

These concepts, along with Schultz’s theory all stood out to me during my time at the Sleeping Giant Loppet. Starting with diversity, the loppet has many different types of competitors. There are the more “professional” athletes, in which cross country skiing is their sport. Then there are those who enjoy a good sense of competition but are not trained in the sport. Finally there are those there for the fun. These three diverse categories of competitors does not classify everyone into a category. Simply because everyone competes for their own independent purpose and that in-itself represents diversity. Secondly, the need to become part of a group is also apparent at the Loppet. We would have a hard time competing in such a collective event like this if we were by ourselves. For us, the outdoor recreation students, I guarantee our experience was enhanced due to the fact of having our group compete and participate together. Lastly, the ski community creates their own sense of identity by simply being part of the ski community. If you are a repeated participant at the Sleeping Giant Loppet, you can then be described as a skier, and therefore the identity of “skier” has been added to your own personal