Sports Events in Toronto

If you are biking around Toronto eventually after enough street car tracks or the rubble on the Leslie Spit you will need repairs.

I highly recommend Bikes on Wheels in Kensington Market

Equipment: The tune-up on my old Trek 700 was perfect!

Was just outside in the cold, wind and drizzle to cheer on the runners along Yonge Street taking part in the Toronto Marathon, today, Sunday Oct 17th.
These folks sure are dedicated running in horrible weather conditions. I admire them and their efforts to raise money for the Princess Margaret Hospital which is the main hospital in Toronto dealing with cancer treatment.

An enjoyable game to catch if you are in Toronto is that of the Toronto Argonauts CFL team who play at the Skydome.

Although the game is 'stop/start' there is tons of entertainment between the plays on the big screen/pitch/stands etc

I just discovered this facility - The Etobicoke Olympium Centre - when I saw the Gala Performance of the National Synchronised Swimming competition. Apparently this is the facility where our National Team practices. From what I saw of the facility, there is also diving. This was my first time seeing, live, synchronised swimming - I have seen it on tv at the Olympics, but that really isn't the same. Because of the lighting, and the fact that I was too busy watching the swimmers, I didn't get any great pictures of the swimmers. How do they develop the lung capacity to swim upside down so long??? I'd be in panic mode, I think.

Equipment: If you are participating - swim suit PLEASE!! Don't forget your towel, maybe nose clips, maybe swim goggles.
Now if you are a synchronized swimteam member I'm sure there is a lot to have - the jelly or whatever it is they put on their hair, and all the hairpins.

The Beaches area, east of downtown Toronto, is a wonderful place to take up the game of beach volleyball. There are dozens of posts set up where you can stretch out a net and boundry lines. This has become very popular over the years and on summer weekends it is actually hard to find a spot to play. The games draws quite a few spectators. No doubt part of the reason is the fact that many of ladies are very scantly clad. However some of the competetors are quite good too

Equipment: Nets and balls can be rented from a sports club house.

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I know from reading other VT pages that sailing on the lake is an enjoyable activity. I did not have a chance to do it while I was there, but there are sailing lessons available, boats which can be rented, a yacht club, and probably races. Usually when there are races, there are also opportunities to crew for folks who have boats. Sailing OP (other people's) boats is a real cheap way to go sailing.

Equipment: I know there are many folks in the Toronto area who live aboard their boats, even in the winter. I've also met some going down the ICW - folks from Toronto and other places in Canada who want to escape the cold. For some time, even before we had a boat, I beloved to an email list that is run out of the University of Toronto computer, called the Live-Aboard List.
___________________________________
|| The Live-Aboard List : send a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request ||
|| in body of message to: live-aboard-request@crux.astro.utoronto.ca ||

What can be nicer than an evening out on the Toronto harbour... perhaps dipping out into the lake to see the sunset... the breeze messing your hair.... friends to laugh with... perhaps a plate of fruit and cheese... some sandwiches... and then seeing the moonlight dance along the water.... MAGIC!

Equipment: A good sailboat and skipper
A pair of soft-soled shoes that won't leave scuff marks on deck
A jacket because yes, that breeze can be a little nippy.
Non-swimmers might want to have a life jacket on, but there does need to be (easily accessible) a life jacket for each passenger.

It's amazing how quickly this disgusting lake becomes a thing of beauty once you're out sailing. The city line and sunsets are beautiful and if you're lucky you'll get a good tilt on.

There are quite a few different ways of getting into sailing in Toronto.
1. Showing up at the sailing clubs on their race days and learn as you go.
2. Take lessons from one of the sailing schools. These are about $1200 CAD for your first 4 levels but each club/school structures their programs differently and rates vary considerably.
3. Chum up with sailing pals. Cheap, affordable and fun.