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Alberta Online Encyclopedia
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Alberta's Francophone Heritage
Background, People, Culture, Heritage Community Foundation, Albertasource and Alberta Lottery Fund

 

Francophone Edukit

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Sports and Recreation
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Francophone Games

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Franco-Albertans are involved in all aspects of sport, taking advantage of the natural features of the province: its mountains, lakes, and long, dark winters. The long days of summer are ideal for outdoor sports, and baseball has long been a favourite. Very few ball diamonds are ever illuminated here, owing to the northern latitude of the province.

There are many lakes and the cottage life at summer villages is an important part of the culture, where fishing, swimming and water skiing are the norm. Canoeing and kayaking are practiced as well, on Alberta’s many rivers, as well as lakes.

During the winter, ice fishing is popular, as is snowmobiling. Skiing, both downhill and cross-country, are also much loved, and there are many wonderful trails which become hiking or running trails in the summer.

Hockey is another great favourite and Franco-Albertan communities have provided many professional hockey players. The Habs of St. Paul, modelled on the Montreal Habs (Habitants) were long considered unbeatable in their league. Similarly, the hockey team at the Faculté Saint-Jean (and its earlier incarnations) unnerved their rivals.

Curling is another sport in which Franco-Albertans excel. And given the rural lifestyle many Franco-Albertans lead, horseback riding is another popular activity, and many participate in gymkhanas and other competitions.

Rodeos are another pastime; some participate in the professional circuit, in the riding or chuckwagon events.

Indoor sports are very important as well, and it is possible for children to take swimming lessons in French in some places, such as Bonnie Doon Pool in Edmonton.

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