Winters may be long in Canada, but the residents of Ontario’s Saugeen Shores are hardly cold-hearted.
On April 1st, 2016, the Saugeen Shores Skating Club is inviting Ex-NHL players, figure skaters, and local families to meet for a classic competition: Battle of the Blades.
Never heard of a Battle of the Blades? Well, it looks a little like this:
Partners band together on an icy-battle field, preparing musical routines and strapping on their blades to compete in any number of different categories.
As suggested by the 2007 Jon Heder/Will Ferrell comedy (a movie that’s been seared in my memory for some ungodly reason), the prize for a battle well won can be glory.
But in the case of Saugeen Shores’ upcoming competition, the skaters are braving the cold for something a little more heartwarming.
There’s a local foundation you may not have heard of in Ontario. It began with one little girl named Olivia’s cystinosis diagnosis. The condition—characterized by cistine build-up in the cells—is rare, currently incurable, and the Liv-A-Little Foundation’s mission to conquer.
So the Battle of the Blades wages in their honor.
Fifty percent of the proceeds raised for the icy fields of Battle will be going to the Liv-A-Little Foundation to support its search for cystinosis treatment and an eventual cure.
The registration period will probably have ended by the time you read this, but if you want to witness the battle, donate and join the fun this spring!
