By A.P. Crawford, CSP Periodical Editor and Production Manager (5×5@skipatrol.ca)
It is with sadness that we advise that National Nordic On-Snow Coordinator Al McInnis passed away in the middle of September. Al was a man who exemplified effective leadership, innovation and dedication to the aims and objectives of the CSP.
According to Central Zone President Mark Brown, Al was a cornerstone patroller in the zone and a tireless advocate for Nordic patrolling. He was a leader in the introduction of basic life support training and pioneered the Sunday advanced first aid course in the zone. On average, he recertified up to 175 patrollers per year. He worked tirelessly to support the zone’s training and development initiatives as an instructor-trainer.
Al also served as the Barrie district AFA supervisor for Central Zone for several years, responsible for 150 to 200 patrollers across five resorts. Additionally, he was in charge of arranging access to Georgian College, where the zone hosts many of the Barrie CSP courses and was the instructor for the inaugural first aid course recognized as a credit course for students in the college’s snow resort operations program.
In years prior, Al was an on-snow rescue instructor who participated in the development of toboggan handling for snowboard riding patrollers. Yes, there are many funny stories from that initiative.
While qualified in alpine, Nordic and snowboard disciplines, Nordic was his passion and he is more well-known across the CSP in his role as the national Nordic on-snow coordinator.
Al was also the founder of the Central Zone bike patrol. He represented the CSP at many off-snow events including short track speed skating, Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash and the Becel Ride for Heart (now the Manulife Ride for Heart) to name a few.
Al was the recipient of NAA No. 1411 in 2005 and CSP No. 911 in 2016 along with numerous other awards from Central Zone. His presence across the CSP will be missed.
(Photos provided by Central Zone.)
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