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Tobogganing: The Need for Speed

By Natalie Feinblum

  Do you like winter sports? Do you like to go snow boarding, skiing, or sledding? Then tobogganing may be for you. This fun activity is a lot like sledding. A toboggan is any sled without skates on the bottom and only one or two reins to control.   A saucer (a popular sled) is not in fact a sled, but in fact a toboggan. One can climb to the top of hills and mountains just to rush down the mountain in speedy minutes on one of these sled-like devices.
  If you love the winter but hate it because you’re stuck inside, just jump up and go for a tobogganing trip. One can get plenty of exercise from climbing up the mountain again, again, and again. On the way down one gets an exhilarating experience.  If one has a massive toboggan, then he/she can get other people to join in and stack everyone on the toboggan and glide down the magnificent sparkling, icy slopes of the mountain.
  As fun and exciting as tobogganing might sound, it can also be dangerous and very hazardous. For example, last year Brendan Moore broke his fibula bone and his ankle on his right leg. “ I was going off a jump and then suddenly I flew off the sled and my leg was swinging around and was in a bad

position when I landed.”  Now he has two metal screws in his ankle.
  In another case that was on the news previously, a young girl was sledding with some friends, went off a jump and, landed on the back of her neck. She tried to get up at first but when she kept collapsing she realized that something wasn’t right.  Luckily she survived.
  There are other dangers besides just accidents. People can lose track of time and they often do not understand how cold it can truly be outside. One has to watch out for frostbite. Frostbite mostly occurs on the ears, nose, and fingers.  Some signs of frostbite are skin becoming pale, gray and possibly blisters and numbness.  Frostbite is frozen body tissue that can sometimes go deeper than the skin. Children are at a higher risk of getting frostbite because they usually don’t want to come in from their winter wonderland of fun.
  Although one may only think of taking a jacket and some gloves, he/she should think again. Even when just throwing around snowballs it can be dangerous not to have the right gear. One should carry: a big coat, three pairs of wool socks, snow boots, two pairs of gloves, two beanies, chapstick, goggles, first aid kit (just in case), of course food and

Valentines

drinks, and  a cell phone so one can call for help in case of an accident.
  If  Don’t let the horrors of sledding scare you. There are plenty of places around Quincy where one can go sledding and not end up in the hospital. Take Johnsville for example. It’s one of the biggest places around Quincy to go sledding. They have it all; activities for both beginners and pros. Whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, or sledding, Johnsville is the place to go for a fun and exciting winter.
  Due to the winter weather here in Quincy most people love a sledding, skiing, or snowboarding trip. But just remember every sport has dangers as well as life-enhancing rewards.

Worst

1.        NOTHING!!

2.        Cheap jewelry

3.        Treadmill

4.        Fat free candy

5.        Cleaning supplies

6.        Exploding candy

7.        Nair hair remover

8.        Breath mints

9.        Deodorant

10. Plastic Flowers

Best

1. Roses
2. Box of chocolate
3. Jewelry
4. Poem
5. Teddy bear
6. Handmade card
7. Lingerie
8. Romantic candlelit dinner for two
9. Photo of you and your valentine 
10. Handmade Items