The Bark - Spring 2023

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General

The Arbutus Club

2001 Nanton Avenue Vancouver, BC 604.266.7166 arbutusclub.com

Club Reception reception@arbutusclub.com

604.266.7166

Recreation Services Desk registration@arbutusclub.com

604.269.8800

Accounting admin@arbutusclub.com

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604.269.8787

Communications communications@arbutusclub.com

604.269.8785

Membership membership@arbutusclub.com

604.269.8770

Catering Sales catering@arbutusclub.com

604.266.7169

The Shoppe concierge@arbutusclub.com

604.269.8919

Spa at Arbutus spa@arbutusclub.com

604.269.8919

Physiotherapy & Wellness physio@arbutusclub.com

604.269.8771

Aquatics dives into spring water

THE PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Dear Members,

As spring blossoms around us, it is also time for the end of our Board term. I want to express my gratitude for your support during another busy year at the Club. The Board and committees have worked diligently with management to ensure the smooth operation and success of the Club. They have been instrumental in addressing various challenges and overseeing important decisions, from The Lounge upgrade and Quilchena Patio renovation to the approval of Associate Member applications and facility schedules, as well as our annual year-end audit.

The Ad Hoc Membership Committee has been no exception. Over the past eight months, the Committee tackled issues related to member usage and the capacity of the facilities after the Board closed the new member waitlist last April. The Club engaged an outside consultant to conduct a member demographic and occupancy study to assess these issues and provide a forecast of the Club's future headcount based on our current active membership and waitlisted members. As a result of the study and the consultant's and Ad-Hoc Committee's recommendation, the Board agreed that the waitlist should remain closed until January 15, 2024. Additionally, the Board will establish a yearly cap on new member applications with the help of the Finance Committee and management. The Board also agreed to cap the number of new member applications at 36 for 2024. The Committee will reconvene in June to further its discussion regarding implementing a total member headcount and the process by which to manage the new member applications.

I want to acknowledge the efforts of the Ad-Hoc CEO Selection Committee, who have been working closely with an external recruiting firm to conduct a comprehensive interview process to identify the best-suited candidate for the CEO role. We anticipate concluding the process by early May as we prepare to bid farewell to Brent this fall.

I also want to acknowledge our outgoing directors, David Cunningham and Elliott Lipsey, for their commitment and service to the Club. David Cunningham was a member of the Finance Committee for six years before joining the Board. We could always rely on David to scour the Club's monthly financial statements and ask the tough questions to keep our finance team on their toes. Elliott Lipsey has a combined total of six years on the Board, sharing his extensive knowledge of club governance and business operations. We thank them both for their dedication and service to the Club.

I encourage you to attend our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, April 20, at 6:00 pm in the Strathcona Room, where we will report on the Club's financial and operational performance over the past year and introduce our new directors and executive team.

Now on to the fun stuff, be sure to turn to pages 20-22 so you don't miss out on all the great Food and Beverage events taking place this spring, including the Mother's Day Brunch, Rock It Man all inclusive party, Raise the Roof patio party, and more. Every event makes for an opportunity for great times at the Club.

In our tribute on page 16, we celebrate Club member and professional tennis player Rebecca Marino's remarkable accomplishments in tennis, including her impressive return to the Top 100 in the WTA rankings. Her unwavering determination, tenacity, and powerful serve genuinely exemplify what it means to be a "Member of Excellence."

I wish you all the best in the last few months of programs, and I hope to see you at one of my favourite events of the year, the Canada Day Pancake Breakfast, on July 1.

Warm regards,

Jeff Thorsteinson Club President president@arbutusclub.com

Board + Committee

2022/2023 President

Jeff Thorsteinson

Vice President

Soren Rasmussen

Treasurer

Brooke Moss

Secretary

Hollis Bromley

Immediate Past President

Alan Bailey

Directors

Kristen Baur

Stanley Chiu

David Cunningham

Harv Phandal Dhanda

Katie Everett Henderson

Elliott Lipsey

Jordan Sengara

Ramon Solinas

Darren Turecki

David Williams

Chief Executive Officer

Brent Elkington

Activity Committee Chairperson

25 Year Club: Judy Simonett

AAHL: Toby Treweeke

Bridge: Pamela Moore, Margaret Duncan

Dance: Moira Stilwell

Figure Skating: Barbara West

Fitness Centre: Rick Richardson

Ice Allocation: Nick Bedford

Karate: William Arlotta

Minor Hockey: Brian Pearson

Pickleball: Terry Buckley

Squash: David Cluff

Tennis: Deborah Kong

Totems Hockey: David Yu

events calendar

APRIL

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

• Junior Ambassador program (8+ years) in the Shaughnessy Room

MONDAY, APRIL 17

• Tennis Singles Championship on Courts 1-4 continuing until Sunday, April 23

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA in the Pool from 2:00 - 3:00pm

MONDAY, APRIL 3

• Year End Minor Hockey Party in the South Gymnasium, Turf, & Shaughnessy Room

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

• Egg Dyeing Night (5-12 years) in the Shaughnessy Room

FRIDAY, APRIL 7

• Good Friday No group classes Lounge & Fireside is open

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

• Easter Sunday Brunch in the 3rd floor banquet rooms

• Easter Sunday Dinner in The Fireside

MONDAY, APRIL 10

• No group classes

MONDAY, MAY 8

• Youth Volleyball Night (7-14 years) in the South Gymnasium

THURSDAY, MAY 11

• Family Movie Night (all ages) on the Mini Rink Turf

FRIDAY, MAY 12

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

• Music with Marnie concert in the Arbutus Studio 1 (0-5 years)

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

SPRING CARNIVAL: THE ARBUTUS CLUB OLYMPICS in the South Gymnasium, Mini Rink Turf, & Shaughnessy Room MAY

SUNDAY, MAY 7

• Stars of Tomorrow dance recital at the Norman Rothstein Theatre Invitation only

• Music with Marnie Mommy & Me Concert (2-18 months) in the Shaughnessy Room

SATURDAY, MAY 13

• Junior Ambassador program (8 years+)

• Spring Music Recital in the Strathcona Room

SUNDAY, MAY 14

• Mother's Day Brunch and Dinner in The Fireside & the 3rd floor banquet rooms

FRIDAY, MAY 19

• Youth Night Out (11-14 years) in the Shaughnessy Room & offsite

MONDAY, MAY 22

• Victoria Day No group classes The Lounge is open

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

• 25 Year Club Walking Tour of Marpole with John Atkin

SATURDAY, MAY 27

ROCK IT, MAN ALL INCLUSIVE PARTY in the North Gymnasium (19+)

HOME SAFE COURSE in Room B

LASER AND LANES in the Pool & South Gymnasium

MONDAY, MAY 29

• Gymnastics Year End Showcase begins in the Gymnastics Studio and continues until Sunday, June 4

JUNE

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

• Lobster Month begins in The Fireside and continues until Friday, June 30

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

• Home Safe Course in Room B

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

• Basketball Year End Party in the North Gymnasium

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

• Music with Marnie concert (0-5 years) in Arbutus Studio 1

• Youth Night Out (6-10 years)

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

• Karate Year End Display on the Mini Rink Turf & the Shaughnessy Room

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

• Music Year End Recital in the Strathcona Room

MONDAY, JUNE 12

• Youth Soccer Night (7-14 years) in the South Gymnasium

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

• Father's Day Brunch in the 3rd Floor Banquet Rooms

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

• Youth Night Out (11-14 years)

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

PRIVATE PLAYLAND at Playland from 6:00 - 9:00pm

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

• Raise the Roof Party on The Rooftop

• Last day The Lounge is open before closure for the summer months

TUESDAY, MAY 30

RECREATION SERVICES SUMMER 2023 PROGRAMS REGISTRATION at 7:00am on arbutusclub.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 15

• Preschool Graduation and Year End Party in Arbutus Studios 1 & 2

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

• Junior Ambassador program (8 years+) in the Shaughnessy Room

STAY UP TO DATE

For all the latest news, important notices, and upcoming events visit arbutusclub.coM

Club Life

Youth Spring Break Camps

Dine-In Arbutus in The Fireside

The Arbutus Club Avalanche Minor Hockey Teams

Valentine's Day Around the Club

Recreation Services Quality Standards Training Sportball

Meet the Team FEATURED STAFF

Nathan Wong lifeguard

What makes a great colleague? Someone who is helpful, reliable, and hardworking. Nathan embodies all these qualities; he always goes out of his way to support his co-workers. Lifeguard, Phoebe Cheng shares that “Nathan is always willing to lend a hand and is very generous with his time; he doesn’t mind cutting into his lunch breaks or staying a bit longer after his shift ends to help out.”

Nathan joined the Aquatics team in December 2021. Before becoming a lifeguard, he was a competitive swimmer at the Gators Swim Club. At 14, he was top 8 in Canada for the 100m breaststroke and top 12 for the 50m breaststroke.

Aquatics Manager, Sydney Benmore shares “Nathan steps up to lead whenever the opportunity presents itself.” Last year, Nathan was the recipient of the Unicorn Award, which is given to an Aquatics employee who went above and beyond at work.

Nathan is currently studying psychology at Simon Fraser University. In his free time, he enjoys working out and playing video games with his friends.

Selina Yeung

accounting manager and it liaison

Selina joined the Club as a Membership Accountant in June 2015. She is a keen problem solver and is passionate about helping others. Before working as a Membership Accountant, Selina volunteered at Burnaby General Hospital and has a decade of experience working in customer service.

Last summer, the Club made the move to an external IT company and Selina took on the new IT Liaison position. Her excellent aptitude for software programs made her the perfect candidate to take on this new IT role. Selina was also promoted to Accounting Manager. Mike Hamar, Controller, shares that he has “complete faith in Selina to always complete tasks correctly and efficiently.” Selina continues to excel in her new roles.

Selina always puts other people first. She would drop anything she’s working on to help members and staff with their problems. Kristy Davis, Director of Strategy & Communication and Assistant to the CEO shares, “Selina handles stress well, she is adaptable, a quick learner, and she shows increased confidence in her ability to lead others.

When Selina isn’t at work, she enjoys hiking and travelling, often combining the two. Her favourite hikes have been in Rio de Janeiro and Utah.

Performance reviews are a time for managers and employees to evaluate their work. This year in our performance reviews, we asked our employees if they had a peer who went above and beyond in their work. We received so much positive feedback from our employees. We wanted to highlight four employees who received multiple compliments from their peers and managers.

These employees are exemplary team players, who have been praised for their attitude, their work ethic, and their problem-solving skills. These Arbutus Club all stars are reliable and they embody the attitude “we work as a team, and not as individuals.”

Rachel Alojado banquet manager

Whether it be supporting her colleagues or her family and friends, Rachel is a compassionate leader who goes out of her way to help her community. Anyone who knows Rachel, knows that they can always count on her.

Before working in Catering, Rachel worked in the Tennis Department with Pat Macken. Catering Manager, Kim McBurney comments, “Rachel is by far the best co-worker that I have ever had.”

Mizuki Mori (Senior Sous Chef) adds that she respects the way Rachel deals with everyone. “Rachel always checks in with the kitchen and is considerate of our point of view.” Reynalyn Buslig (Banquet Server) adds, “she always boosts us up and I’m so grateful for her support.”

A few years ago, there was a volcanic eruption in the Philippines impacting loved ones. Rachel, Myla Dalisay (Banquet Server), and Tess Mendoza (Outlet Supervisor) set up a fundraiser to help those in need. This illustrates how important community is to Rachel.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her beautiful family and hiking to de-stress. Rachel’s favourite hike is Joffre Lakes.

Amy Auchstaetter

dining room and lounge server

Amy has been a part of the team since March 2005 and continues to wear her smile like a uniform. Amy’s knowledge, experience, and attitude are reasons she is often asked to train and mentor new employees.

Jack Li (Server) shares, “Amy helped me a lot when I first joined the Club. She is more than willing to give a hand whenever she is available.”

Amy is a very thoughtful employee who takes initiative and recognizes staff (in the front and back of house) who go above and beyond. This is one of the many reasons why all employees love working with her. David Bohan (Restaurant Manager) shares, “Amy is an integral part of the workforce in The Lounge, Fireside, and Rooftop.” Lian Zhang echoes this sentiment stating that “Amy offers superb service and is consistently reliable.”

Amy is a model employee, who develops great connections with anyone she works with or serves, she works hard and keeps work fun. She always brings great energy to anything that she is part of.

Outside of work, Amy likes to hit the trails and is an avid biker. ♦

Throwbacks from the CLUB ARCHIVES

Our home away from home is steeped in a rich history. From our early beginnings in the 1960's to the present day, we fondly reminisce on our roots and favourite memories with selections from The Arbutus Club Archives.

Aquatics was one of the first Recreation Services programs at the Club when it opened in the middle of the 1960s. Our Pool was home to a multitude of activities including local swim meets, lessons, and even sychronized swimming. The tradition is strong to this day with our Aquatics programming and Arbutus Club Rays Swim Team. Take a brief swim down memory lane with a look back at some of our fondest memories in the Pool. ♦

meet the athletes

braving the open water down under

Arbutus Rays Swim Team Masters dipped down to a lower latitude, put on a brave attitude, and took on the daunting challenge of the 19.7 kilometre Rottnest Channel Swim in Western Australia.

The Rottnest Channel Swim is one of the most popular marathon swims in the world and has been held annually in February since 1991. The swim is a 19.7km journey from Cottesloe Beach, located in the city of Perth, to Rottnest Island off the shores of Western Australia in the Indian Ocean.

Departing before sunrise and heading out into ocean water that is well-known for containing formidable marine life isn’t everyone’s cup of tea; however, the Rottnest Channel Swim remains a highly regarded event in the Australian ocean swimming calendar and one of Perth’s premier events. The swim attracts participants from around the globe and the 2023 event welcomed more than 3,000 swimmers.

In its 33rd year, the swim is open for solo swimmers and teams of two or four. Every competitor and team is required to organize their own support boat and it is highly recommended to have a paddler to assist with navigation and feeding. In recent years the organizers have added waves for Champions of the Channel (a race within the main race open to elite solo swimmers), teams and tandem solo (two solo swimmers of similar ability with one boat). Organisers require solo swimmers to complete a 10km qualifying swim in the three months prior to the swim.

For this year's event, Arbutus Rays Swim Team Masters took part, represented by 3 brave swimmers: Deanne Schweitzer, Genieve Burley, and Summer Wilson. We had the pleasure of interviewing the trio before and after their journey down under.

Meet the Athletes

the athletes

⊲

DEANNE SCHWEITZER

Mom to 4 amazing kids, owner of TurF, a place to work out, shop, and eat healthy food. She grew up in Kamloops, but discovered Kitsilano in her 20’s and never left. Has been a member for 12 years.

⊲ GENIEVE BURLEY

I am a native of Ontario and moved to Vancouver in 2006. I am a chiropractor, fitness instructor, and wellness expert. Has been a Club member for 12 years.

WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY'S INVOLVEMENT AT THE CLUB?

Deanne: My husband, Shawn Pozer, and daughter, Ryan Pozer. Shawn plays tennis and Ryan was an Arbutus Club Swim Team participant for several years, but now swims with VPSC. Ryan was also involved in competitive gymnastics and is looking forward to making more time for tennis.

Genieve: My husband, Beau Howes, and I play tennis. Our daughters Shyloh and Rhys were on the Swim Team and have been involved in dance, gymnastics, karate, camps, tennis, squash, and more in the past. They are athletes and spend their evenings in sports. Currently, Shyloh is at Vancouver Pacific Swim Club and Rhys is at Pacific Dance Arts.

Summer: I'm a member alongside, children Duke, Tor, Tag, JJ, and my husband, Chip Wilson. My family loves working out in the gym. When my kids were younger they were on the Swim Team and played hockey. My husband was a longtime squash player and he and I just started playing tennis.

WHAT ROLE DOES THE SWIM TEAM PLAY IN YOUR PREPARATION FOR THIS COMPETITION AND HOW LONG

HAVE YOU BEEN A PART OF THE SWIM TEAM?

⊲ SUMMER WILSON

Mom to five boys, a business owner, clothing designer, and fitness enthusiast. Summer has been a member of the Club for 17 years.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO COMPETE IN THE ROTTNEST CHANNEL SWIM?

Our fourth teammate is named Tessa McLoughlin. She is originally from Perth, Australia and her brother has competed in the 'Rotto' Swim (as a solo swimmer) it has been a bucket list dream for her to return home and do this epic race. Tessa suggested this race to us last summer and we thought it was a great idea. We are glad we went all in before learning the logistics and work that this race involves because we probably wouldn’t have signed up! Despite the challenges that we have encountered in preparing for this race and how physically demanding it will be, we are ready. This will be a lifelong achievement that we are already so proud of.

Deanne: I retired from competitive swimming in my 20’s (I swam for SFU) and really never had the desire to swim again. I was like many swimmers and got a little burned out. Coach Eduardo has made swimming enjoyable for me as has the whole Swim Team. The workouts are challenging, fun, and the whole group encourages each other. I knew the training would be big for this event and I knew I had a team and coach that would make it easier to get the km in.

Genieve: Without being on the Swim Team Rotto Swim would never have been a consideration. I didn’t start swimming until my 30s, it has been a source of joy and community for swimming at the Club. I am so grateful for the Swim Team for many reasons. What I have appreciated about the Swim Team in training for this race is that we have done a lot of power training, sprints, and drills, which complements the steady distance we have been working on our own. I have been a part of the Swim Team for 8 years.

Summer: Training with Coach Eduardo and The Arbutus Club Swim Team kept the workouts challenging and inspiring. The mix of sprint and endurance workouts has prepared us for the mileage we need to complete the race. The whole team encouraged us to push ourselves and cheered us along.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF BEING ON THE ARBUTUS CLUB SWIM TEAM?

Genieve: I love that as an adult I can be part of a team. The swim practices are always challenging, but I feel a community around me. I love our hot tubs afterwards – when we can complain about how hard the practice was.

Deanne: How good I feel after, new friends, and those hot tub discussions where we solve everything.

Summer: Swim practice is always an incredible workout that I know I would not have done on my own. There is nothing like the hot tub after and a chance to catch up with friends.

WHAT ASPECT OF THE SWIM TEAM HAS INSPIRED YOU TO STAY COMMITTED?

Deanne: The group and Coach Eduardo, the hot tub to recover, and the great changerooms to get ready for the day.

Genieve: I'm inspired by the people on my team and the consistency of a challenge.

Summer: Swim Team inspired me to put in the work and be prepared for the race. I didn’t want to let my teammates down.

WHAT MAKES OUR SWIM TEAM UNIQUE?

Genieve: I believe we are unique in that out of all the activities offered, masters swim is probably the smallest group, compared to something like tennis or squash, and everyone does it on the same days and times, which makes it consistent. Most of the people on the Swim Team have been there for years and are loyal to the program.

DESCRIBE YOUR INVOLVEMENT ON THE SWIM TEAM WITH A WORD OR PHRASE:

Genieve: I am the chief of distraction (which doesn’t work with Coach Eduardo). Deanne is the fastest and I would say she inspires us all to be more efficient in the water. Summer is strong, graceful, and a connector of our team, she has also been on the swim team the longest out of the 3 of us.

WHAT IS YOUR KEY TO PERSEVERANCE IN SPORTS?

Deanne: Setting a goal, finding a community with similar goals, while finding the joy and fun in the journey.

Following the race, we were able to briefly check-in to hear how the event went. "It did turn out to be as hard to organise as we thought it would be," said Genieve. Their gruelling training regime and the help of the Swim Team allowed the group to be ready for the strength and endurance necessitated by the race; however, the women were quick to point out that hypothermia was something that was a real challenge.

"We were blessed with the universe on our side and had Australians come to support us in ways we could not imagine. We would love to acknowledge Brian and Margaret McLoughlin, Louise Groom, James, Louise and Pip Groom, Emma Cross, and Francois Van Zyl," continued Genieve.

Difficulty aside, Deanne, Genieve, and Summer all spoke of the immense pride they have following their phenomenal accomplishment. "Walking across that finish line with the sunshine on our faces will be one of the greatest moments in our lives," shared Genieve. ♦

submissions

Know a member that is a hard working athlete and uses our facilities to train? Let us know.

Contact the Communications team at communications@arbutusclub.com with a brief description on why they should be featured.

Reminders

Our mission is

PUTTING FAMILIES FIRST

The intention of the guide is to establish clear and acceptable expectations relating to the behaviours of The Arbutus Club Members and guests.

It is not intended to restrict the rights of anyone, but rather to ensure that all members, staff, and guests are treated with equal respect and kindness.

The Club deems that upon payment of membership or guest fees, all Members and guests have given their consent to be bound by the Club’s Bylaws & Rules.

Be mindful that

Culture is a group phenomenon. It cannot exist solely within a single person, nor is it simply the average of individual characteristics.

Culture lives in shared behaviours and values. Culture is most commonly experienced through the norms and expectations of a group.

Know the member

BYLAWS & RULES

The rules support the philosophy that each of us is expected to behave in a manner which enhances the quality of life of our fellow Members and The Arbutus Club staff. We are expected to promote civility and encourage good relationships Club-wide.

Our goal is to be a family friendly environment where everyone is always treated with dignity and respect.

CULTURE IS SHARED

CLUB RULES & Common Courtesies

When using the Club's facilities and workout equipment ALWAYS EXERCISE WITH CARE AND ATTENTION

RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF FELLOW MEMBERS when taking photos or videos in shared spaces around the Club

Members must abide by the sports specific RULES OF CONDUCT

FOLLOW CLUB RULES FOR CELL PHONE USAGE Conversations limited to hallways & no devices in changerooms

FOLLOW PARKING RULES AND REGULATIONS including the 10 minute drop-off and designated pick-up area

SIGN IN ALL GUESTS AT CLUB RECEPTION no exceptions will be made

BE A GOOD AMBASSADOR FOR THE ARBUTUS CLUB

In our community and at reciprocal clubs, we serve as representatives of The Arbutus Club. Communicate our unique history, values, and shared experience, while exercising professionalism, integrity, and friendliness.

RESPECT THE RIGHTS of all other Members, staff, management, and directors

PLEASE BE KIND AND CONSIDERATE we are one community, so please act in the best interests of others

TREAT OTHERS EQUALLY regardless of race, origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability, or class

CHILDREN MUST BE 8 YRS+ TO USE THE ARBUTUS CLUB without supervision from a parent or guardian

RESPECT COMMON AREA CLEANLINESS

by tidying up, placing used towels & dishes in designated areas, & wiping fitness equipment after use

Rebecca Marino shares her unconventional journey as a professional tennis player and how mental health and family play a big role in her relationship with the sport.

The Arbutus Club has always been about putting the overall health and wellness of our member families first. For this issue's Members of Excellence feature we are excited to honour Canadian professional tennis player, Rebecca Marino, who has shown the significant impact of placing mental health and family at the forefront of her professional sports career, with her remarkable return to the court.

Rebecca Marino began her career in professional tennis in 2008 and was climbing the ranks. She played her first Grand Slam only 2 years after going pro and was in a second-round clash with the Women's Tennis Association's (WTA) 4th top player, Venus Williams. Amazed

Members of Excellence

She formed deeper connections with friends and family, and found fulfilment in other ventures off the court, which included studying English Literature at the University of British Columbia (UBC). “I feel that, perhaps, I am a better athlete and person now than I was before because of my time away from tennis,” Marino says. She returned to tennis again in 2018 with greater perspective and gratitude for her profession, and a more balanced approach to both her oncourt and off-court life.

by Rebecca's prowess, Venus commented saying “I guess I know what it is like now playing myself” after the game. Although her career seemed to just be taking off, Marino made the decision to take a hiatus from professional tennis in 2012 after climbing the ranks to the WTA's 38th top player. Her time away from tennis was not the standard path in professional sport by any means, but was an essential part of her growth both personally and professionally. “Tennis had become all-encompassing, and I had burnt myself out from a schedule that became physically, mentally, and emotionally draining,” she said when asked about her decision. During her hiatus, Marino was able to find balance in her life and lay stronger roots in her hometown, Vancouver.

Marino made a remarkable return to professional tennis and has since participated in the Australian Open, US Open, and Billie Jean King Cup – to name just a few! “My motivations to come back to tennis were multi-layered, but the catalyst to my decision was my father, Joe" she said. Her father's cancer diagnosis made Marino reflect on her life during her hiatus and asses which unresolved areas were worth revisiting. "Tennis was something that immediately sprung to mind," she said. "I wanted to return to tennis and have a career I could look back on with happiness… I also wanted my father to be able to share the journey with me – tennis was the special thing we shared, and he was my biggest fan. So, every day I’m on the tennis court I play not just for myself, but for my family and the memory of my father.”

Marino’s return has her once again in the WTA Top 100, competing regularly in the Billie Jean King Cup for Canada, and all the Grand Slam events (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open). She also wraps up her swing in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai) for the first time and continues to push even further by participating in more events.

Excelling in sport is somewhat of a family tradition – Marino’s uncle, George Hungerford (also a Member of The Arbutus Club) was one half of the Vancouver Rowing Club coxless pairs rowing team that represented Canada, and won a gold medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Her Uncle George remains her athletic role model, with his Olympic achievements profoundly inspiring her as a child to pursue high level sport as a career.

Although participating in sport was encouraged in the family, there was never any pressure to do so. Marino recalls many fond memories of fun activities that the family did together

Every day I’m on the tennis court I play not just for myself, but for my family and the memory of my father, Joe.

I had burnt myself out from a schedule that became physically, mentally, and emotionally draining.

Members of Excellence

in her childhood. “Not only did it teach me about health and well-being, but it was a way for our family to connect and spend time together…I feel it connected all of us through shared lessons and values, but also brought out the best in our competitive nature!” She also shared some fond memories of basketball and ice skating with her family here at the Club. “The Youth Room was always the “cool” place to be when I was younger, and my brother, my cousins, and I would run up there to hang out together.”

Having grown up in a very active and athletic household, Marino was used to playing many sports. She was introduced to tennis around the age of 9, and often played the sport with her mom, dad, and brother. She found herself drawn to tennis as an enjoyable family activity and competitive outlet, and made the decision at the age of 13 to focus on tennis athletically. Her career has since been filled with some incredible moments of which she shares her top 3:

“This was the best result I had at a Grand Slam for a long time and it was on my least favourite surface." Marino was especially proud of this. She had proved to herself that she could still do well no matter what surface, and no matter what other people said. "To top this off, my aunt, uncle, and cousins were visiting Paris at the same time, so we were able to share this together. After my 3rd round loss to Kuznetsova, we all climbed the Eiffel Tower together. It was such a memorable tournament and trip.”

It had been 11 years since Marino's last 3rd round result at a Grand Slam. "I had just cracked back into the Top 100 in the WTA rankings, so to have this result really solidified in my mind that I belonged with the best and the long journey back was completely worth it." Marino describes it as a full-circle moment to have achieved that result again in what she calls her “career 2.0."

Marino clinched the win for Canada and secured a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in 2022. “This was special to me because I was able to compete in front of my friends and family, while representing Canada and Vancouver on an international stage. There was a lot of emotion behind winning my match and I'm so happy I could share it with the people who matter the most to me.”

Marino has learnt many things over the course of her career and encourages fellow athletes to be patient with the process rather than get caught up in the outcome. "It’s so important to look at the long term/big picture, instead of what’s immediately in front of you. Enjoy the ride and shoot for the stars!”

In April, the Pacific Coliseum will be a host venue for the premier international team competition in women's tennis, the Billie Jean King Cup. Although participating players will be announced at a later date, a “strong contingent of Canada’s top women’s tennis stars” are expected to play, according to Tennis Canada. When asked Marino hinted at there being a high chance of that happening:

“To play in this venue, with not just a Canadian crowd but my hometown crowd, is an incredible opportunity. Last April I had chills knowing I had my family and closest friends courtside with me and it was very special. I'm proud to be a Vancouverite, so being able to compete for Team Canada at home is something I’m really looking forward to!”

The Arbutus Club is immensely proud of Marino’s achievements and is very excited at the opportunity to see Marino play at home. ♦

It’s so important to look at the long-term or big picture, instead of what’s immediately in front of you. Enjoy the ride, and shoot for the stars!

photo by tennis canada and penguin

Spring

EASTER SUNDAY BRUNCH

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

Only the Mad Hatter would be silly enough to miss this event! Brunch with all the spring trimmings, an occasion to celebrate family and the coming of spring. Chef Michael and his team never fail to bring the culinary buffet experience to hare raising levels.

SEATING TIMES 10:30 am and 11:00 am.

PRICES

$59.00 Adults

$35.00 Children 11 years and younger

FREE for Children 4 years and younger

Maximum 8 people per membership.

RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY, MARCH 9 AT 11:00 AM

To make a reservation see the Event Listings on arbutusclub.com.* ◊ ★

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

SUNDAY, MAY 14

The finder of all things, biggest cheerleader, and fiercest defender. Come for brunch in our finely appointed Third Floor banquet rooms and fete the reason for our existence in a style fit for a queen. Thanks Mom!

SEATING TIMES 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, & 12:30 pm. 2 hour limit per group

PRICES

$59.00 Adults

$35.00 Children 11 years and younger FREE for Children 4 years and younger. Maximum 8 people per membership.

RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY, APRIL 13 AT 11:00 AM

To make a reservation see the Event Listings on arbutusclub.com.* ◊ ★

MOTHER’S DAY DINNER

SUNDAY, MAY 14

She's not a regular mom, shes a cool mom. The Lorelai to your Rory, the Goldie Hawn to your Kate Hudson. Treat her as the royal matriarch she is with a delectable dinner concocted by Chef Michael and his fabulous disciples.

SEATING TIMES

5:30 pm & 6:00 pm

PRICES

$65.00 Adults

$40.00 Children 11 years and younger FREE for Children 4 years and younger. Maximum 8 people per membership.

RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY, APRIL 13 AT 11:00 AM

To make a reservation see the Event Listings on arbutusclub.com.* ◊ ★

*

Review and amend your booking under Dining Reservations.

◊

ROCK IT, MAN SPRING 19+ PARTY

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Dirty deeds are indeed done dirt cheap this year as we shift from last year's country themed Hoedown Throwdown to this year’s big spring party night, Rock It, Man! The North Gymnasium will be transformed into a rollicking dive bar roadhouse worthy of Patrick Swayze back in the day. An all-inclusive night of beer drinkin’ and hell raising with food that’ll kickstart your hog. All food, standard beer and wine included in one great ticket to ride. For those about to rock, we salute you.

TIME 7:00 pm to 12:00 am

PRICE

$125.00 per person

All Inclusive – Food, Booze, Boogie Maximum 6 tickets per membership.

TICKETS ON SALE

THURSDAY, APRIL 20 AT 11:00AM

To make a reservation see the Event Listings on arbutusclub.com. ▲ ♦

▲ May 22 at 9:00 am last date for cancellation. All reservations after this time are charged full price.

♦ If you have questions or require asssistance contact Don Robinson at drobinson@arbutusclub.com or 604-269-7167.

Food & Beverage Events

LOBSTER MONTH

BEGINNING THURSDAY, JUNE 1

It’s back! Just like the Terminator returned, so does the month-long celebration of the world’s favourite crustacean. Covid couldn’t stop us forever, so Lobster Month returns to The Fireside all month long with lobster standards, great wines on special to help wash it down, and local beer favourites on tap to boot. Strap on your bib, don’t burn your digits in the finger bowl and pass the hot towels. Let’s do this thing!

THE FIRESIDE

Wednesday through Sunday 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE AT ARBUTUSCLUB.COM

Under Dining Reservations. No more than 6 guests per membership. ▼

FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

We take care of everything else in a brunch filled with family, fathers and free flowing knowledge. Our popular prize filled Father’s Day Trivia returns along with the best gastronomic creations that Chef Michael and his band of merry minions can concoct for the men we love for being the quickest to boast, the best with a joke, and certainly, the most important bloke in our lives.

SEATING TIMES

9:30 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm & 12:30 pm in the 3rd floor banquet rooms

PRICES

$59.00 Adults

$35.00 Children 11 years and younger FREE for Children 4 years and younger

Maximum 8 people per membership.

RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY, MAY 18 AT 11:00 AM

To make a reservation see the Event ◊ ★

RAISE THE ROOF PARTY

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

The roof, the roof will indeed be on fire as we open the Roof Top for patio season with an all-inclusive party featuring tacos, tipple, and twisting the night away! One price fits all as the food, standard beer, wine, and dancing are all included in this night of fun in the sun as it sets in the West to remind us of how lucky we are to live here. DJ Blurryface will light up the skies as you trip the night fantastic. Summer lovin’ it.

EVENT TIME 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm on The Rooftop

PRICE

$100.00 per person

All Inclusive – Food, Booze, & Boogie

Maximum 4 tickets per membership.

TICKETS ON SALE

THURSDAY, MAY 25 AT 11:00AM

To make a reservation see the Event Listings on arbutusclub.com.

CANADA DAY BREAKFAST

Last

If you have questions or require asssistance contact Don Robinson at drobinson@arbutusclub.com or 604-269-7167.

SATURDAY, JULY 1

The tradition continues! The whole club will be in a flap — flapjacks, that is, as we welcome summer and celebrate our great nation’s birthday in the best way we know how, eating pancakes and sausages! Fun family activities, live music and great breakfast are all on the bill for this year's Canada Day breakfast, to be held rain or shine inside the friendly confines of our beautiful South gym. Come for the pancakes, stay for the patriotic party!

EVENT TIME

8:30 am – 10:30 am

date for cancellation is Wednesday, June 14 at 9:00 am. All reservations after this time are charged full price..

au revoir, serge

We bid a relunctant adieu to our gastronomic wizard, Serge L’Ecuyer as he retires after 26 years.

If Chef Michael is the brains behind the kitchen, then his trusty sidekick, Serge L’Ecuyer, is certainly the heart of it. Many members might not know Serge, but he is always tirelessly working behind the scenes. Since the day he walked into the Club's kitchen in May of 1997, no one has made a bigger difference in what members have received on their plates over the past twenty-five plus years. Serge has an uncommon skill set that ranges from ultra sophisticated to the best of the basics, all the way up to fine dessert and pastry work. As a duo, he and Chef Michael have been incomparable, inseparable, and inexhaustible. In the early days, they often worked in the kitchen alone, but broadened and elevated the culinary program since then. It will truly take three people to replace him as he often preps entire banquets, runs the front line, and fulfils all the Chef to Go orders seemingly by himself. A true throwback, workhorse, and exacting professional, Serge is so one of a kind that the mould broke trying to make him. ♦

Quilchena terrace Construction Update

The new outdoor deck structure for the Quilchena Terrace is scheduled to be ready for member and function usage on Sunday, April 30.

Boasting state of the art fixtures, finishings, and operations, the retractable roof pergola will be an amazing amenity for all our member events all year-round including spring brunches, summer parties, Grapes & Hops, and Breakfast with Santa alike. The new outdoor deck will fea-

ture a permanent bar, televisions, accordion doors, and sliding panels that open the entire deck to the Kerrisdale Valley. With gorgeous roof top views once members and guests arrive, they may never want to leave.

Contact Kim McBurney, Catering Manager, for details on how to book the space for your next celebration or how to sign up for one of our famous member events at catering@arbutusclub.com or 604-266-7169. ♦

Aquatics

ith warm weather around the corner, we naturally begin to look forward to visits to lakes, boat rides, and days at the beach. It is important to develop and practise safety in and around water. Understanding how to recognize when there is a risk and being prepared can keep you having fun all summer long.

Our Aquatics team gives expert tips and techniques to keep you safe on the water this spring.

If you are of a particular age, you might remember watching the likes of Captain Mitch Buchannan saving a swimmer flailing around, splashing, and waving for help on a weekly episode of Baywatch. Perhaps you are more of a YouTube aficionado and have seen the dramatic rescue efforts of the lifeguards on Bondi Rescue. No matter the frame of reference, there is a false idea of what someone looks like when they’re drowning: violent splashing and calling for help. However, the reality of drowning is different than the depictions in pop culture.

A swimmer who is struggling in the water will not be able to wave their arms in the air and they will be unable to call for help. In this situation, panicking individuals are unable to perform voluntary arm movements, such as waving, and will instinctively focus on trying to breathe, rendering speech a secondary function. This leaves someone incapable of calling for help. What you’re more likely to see is someone trying to climb an “invisible ladder.” They will be vertical in the water, with their heads tipped back, low in the water, mouths at or above the surface, and taking quick breaths until their mouths go under water. You may also see that their eyes are either closed or appear glassy, and are unable to focus. Some people, especially children, may not even show signs of struggle. They slip, jump, or fall in the water and they can potentially sink down to the bottom with little to no struggle.

If a child is is just learning to swim having them in a floatie such as a puddle jumper, water wings, or a lifejacket (aside from those approved by Transport Canada), without active supervision or within arm’s reach, puts them at risk of drowning. Floaties are not a substitute for adult supervision.

A child might be a fish as soon as they are in water, but this does not remove risk. If you don’t maintain a healthy respect around any body of water, everyone is at risk. Your toddler might be a natural in the water, but developmentally toddlers don’t understand the dynamics of water, such as depth and buoyancy. Older children might have a greater understanding of the water and may have confidence in their overall abilities, but they still may not be able to conceptualise distances in the water, their own limitations, and how to recover if something unexpected happens. Even a strong swimmer could be completely derailed by a wave or current, accidentally breath in some water or accidentally get kicked or hit by someone they’re swimming with. Without vigilant supervision something seemingly minor could turn into a critical incident.

An excellent teaching and safety tool, floaties can also displace the body’s natural buoyancy from one part of their body to another. Water wings allow children to float vertically with buoyancy from their arms; however, your natural balance comes from the centre of your body and you best float in a horizontal position. If a child doesn’t understand their natural centre of buoyancy, they lose the ability to know how to stand up in water when they fall or jump in – even in shallow water. Depending on the type of floatie being used, children may not have the strength to counter the buoyancy of the floatation device. For example, if they are on their stomach, they may not be able to flip themselves over or stand up.

It is best for swimmers to avoid dependancy. According to experts, if a child wears floaties every time they’re in the water they may not necessarily understand that it is not just part of their swim wear. They may begin to believe that when they are in the water they will always float – with or without the floatie on. Floaties provide a false sense of security which can cause them to confidently jump into the water without the safety device. Adults can also become dependent on floaties, as they might assume that while their child is wearing it, it is safe to look away from a child they are supervising.

10 ways to practice water safety in the Pool.

It is important to build water safety habits in a comfortable, familiar setting, before heading out into other environments. Here are some tips on how to build good habits:

Familiarize both yourself and your children with the rules in the pool area

The Club's aquatic rules are in place to preserve the health and safety of your families. They also translate to good habits outside of the pool area. The most important rule in our facility is that children under the age of 8 must have an adult in the water within arm’s reach in the Main Pool. Children under the age of 5 must have an adult in the water within arm’s reach in the Tot Pool, and children 5-8 years old must have an adult in swim attire actively supervising from the pool deck.

Practise stop, look, and ask

Stop, look, and ask encourages young swimmers to stop before they get in the water, recognize if there is an adult in the water, and assess dangers when getting in the water, such as depth, dangerous animals, large obtrusive objects, and asking before entering the water. Letting children run and jump into unknown water can be incredibly risky. If you practise having your kids wait for you to get in before they do. This helps reinforce the importance of looking for danger and asking for permission, while decreasing the chance that they might unexpectedly jump off a boat or dock into deep water when you’re not looking.

Put away devices and other distractions

Active supervision is incredibly important. Drowning can happen within seconds and guardians may not hear it happening. Being distracted for mere seconds can be enough time for the unimaginable to happen. While you’re at the pool, practise having your devices on silent or put away with the rest of your belongings. The same practise applies while in nature, but have your phone within reach in the case of an emergency. The Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition recommends consistent, uninterrupted supervision to prevent drowning.

Keep young children within arm’s reach

Young, beginnner swimmers require constant touch supervision. This means being in the water with children you are caring for within reaching distance. Everyone is susceptible to getting stuck underwater, growing fatigued, or panicking when something unexpected happens, so even if a child is a stronger swimmer in water supervision is still paramount.

Take young children in both pools

Not all water will be warm and shallow. Helping children become comfortable in pools of different depth and temperature can help prepare them for water activities outside of the pool.

Practise swimming with and without your floaties

Familiarize children in water with and without floaties will help them better understand themselves in the water. It is also a good idea to keep a floatation device nearby, so that if you or your child grow fatigued in the water, you have backup.

Practise flipping on your back in water

The easiest way to preserve energy in the water is to float on your back. If you grow fatigued in the water, the best way to take a rest is to stop and flip on your back. If you’re a beginner, the easiest way to swim safely is by swimming on your back. This is because you can easily breathe, you’re not struggling to hold your head up, and you don’t have to exert as much energy to stay on the surface. Practising this skill can save the lives of both adults and children.

Employ a buddy system when swimming

This applies both to the children in the water and adults supervising. With older kids, having them pair up with a friend or sibling helps them ensure they are keeping track of each other and is a a layer of protection. With adults, having another adult there to either take turns to supervise or as an extra set of eyes on your kids in the water is a great way to make sure that you’re covered.

It's important to teach children their limitations

Swimming often in small spaces can make it challenging to recognize how far you can swim before you begin to fatigue. Most drownings occur within 3 to 15 metres from a dock, shoreline, or pool edge. The standard safe zone is to swim within 50 metres from the edge of any body of water or pool. This is easy practice as it is only two lengths of our pool. If they can’t quite make 50 metres that’s okay, it will then give an idea of how far they can safely swim for both you and them.

Don’t rely on lifeguards as first line of defence

Lifeguards are not a substitute for adult supervision in the pool and in many outdoor places they are not on duty. While having lifeguards present increases the safety of a space significantly – statistically only 1% of drownings happen in a lifeguard supervised setting as opposed to 81% occurring in a lake, pond, river, or ocean – they are responsible for scanning each person in a pool area every 30 seconds and there can be up to 40 persons in the pool per lifeguard to watch. According to the Canadian Drowning Prevention Plan, primary measures for prevention include vigilant supervision, survival swimming skills, lifejacket usage, and putting safety first. Lifeguard rescue is ranked as a secondary measure.

Finally, don’t be surprised if a lifeguard kindly asks you to get in the water with the children

The Arbutus Club art program welcomes young members of all skill levels and offers a variety of classes that help children develop an appreciation for the visual arts by exploring different mediums, techniques, and ideas. Participants learn how to express themselves, communicate creatively, and structure their ideas visually. With our gallery we hope to showcase the imagination and marvellous works of particpants. ♦

Tree, tempera, by Marissa, 10 Fennec foxes, polymer clay, by William, 6 and Yoonsang, 6 Snails, polymer clay, by Tessa, 5 and Jayden, 5

Blue forest, acrylic, by Isabella, 11 Treehouse with sunset, tempera, by King, 9 Abstract art, acrylic, by Jonah,11 Tree house, tempera, by Adam, 11

Foxes, polymer clay, by Jonah, 10 and Maxwell, 10 Bird on a frozen branch, mixed media, by Katya, 6 Tree houses, tempera, by Lolo, 6 Cyborg, pencil, by John, 7

Toucan, tempera, by Spencer, 8 Bison, charcoal & oil pastels, by Brayden, 7 Fox, polymer clay, by Ruby, 9 Deer, tempera, by Oliver, 11 Fox, Polymer clay, by Diane, 10

learning with our whole body

The Children's Centre's materials and pedagogies inspire pupils to learn abstract concepts in a natural way, while using their whole body.

Our preschool programs in the Children’s Centre are an amazing place where learning, friendships, growing, and fun all take place. Our typical day includes learning with select materials, group work with friends, movement, songs, stories, art, and group snack.

The select education materials we use for teaching are designed or inspired by Dr. Maria Montessori and Dr. Édouard

Séguin. We are also slowly introducing Reggio and Waldorf concepts to encourage a holistic education in our children.

The materials and pedagogies inspire children to learn abstract concepts in a concrete and natural way that uses their whole body. Our goal in the class is to help each child grow by practicing the will-power to move, building the mind to understand the concepts, and developing the heart to love education.

Children's Centre

We do this through creating a well thought-out environment filled with inspiring activities. Each exercise is planned with a purpose and allows the children to experience aesthetically-pleasing items that help them learn in a fun way. The prepared environment is what helps us reach this goal with each child. For example, when a child sees the beautiful, organized, and themed materials on the shelf, it entices them to take out an activity which helps their will power to focus.

Finally, we have open-ended activities like the one pictured where the children use the creativity from within to design an elaborate masterpiece. This type of activity helps a child express themselves and since it is open ended, it allows them to express themselves without the hesitation of being “right” or “wrong.” This develops the love for education and learning. Together these aspects of our classroom encourage pupils to learn through the whole body – with their will, mind, and heart. Our hope is that each preschooler who comes to our classroom will find themselves entirely engaged and love every moment of it. ♦

want more information on our preschool?

Our materials are designed to help a child understand abstract concepts with concrete items. For example, in this photo a child is learning the concept of numbers through counting real beads that correspond to the abstract worksheet.

Group Fitness Coordinator, Daniela Tempesta reminds members to prioritize mental health and offers practical tips for a healthier mindset

As the buzz of the New Year has worn off and we are back in a solid rhythm of life, we recognize that burnout and fatigue are real and often go ‘undiagnosed’ because they can be more difficult to identify than a medically-diagnosed illness. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we want to help members understand mental health, while providing useful tips for keeping your mind in optimal shape.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to

adulthood." It’s also important to note that poor mental health is not synonymous with mental illness and we will be addressing poor/optimal health only in this article.

How you feel mentally is equally as important, if not more, than how you feel physically. They are interconnected, but how you feel mentally impacts your perception of how you feel physically. When you feel like you can conquer the day, even the seemingly little tasks like a gym workout, fitness class, or walking your dog can have dramatically different results than if you felt you didn’t have enough energy.

Here are some ways you can stay on track with your physical health, which directly impacts your emotional, psychological and spiritual health:

Rest, reflect, repeat

Sounds simple, but often we get so busy with our to-do list, that rest and recovery don’t even make the list. Carve out time once a day (even if it’s just 10 minutes) where you allow yourself uninterrupted time to rest, reflect, relax, and recoup! It could be meditation or even grabbing a cuppa Joe and sitting in your backyard enjoying nature do its thing.

Digital detox

No powders, smoothies or soups needed for this one – just the will power to intentionally stay away from screen time a bit each day – whether it’s no screen time after a certain hour of the day or only using techology for 10 minutes at the top of each hour. Any type of blue light detox is beneficial and assists in so many areas of life including eye health, melatonin levels, and better quality of sleep.

Sleep syncing

Regular sleep is directly related to physical and emotional repair, increased immune system and reducing brain fog often associated with less than optimal hours of sleep. Use your body’s circadian rhythm to set your sleep/wake times, avoid meals and screen time before bed and keeping your bedroom cool/dark to create a rhythm that you can thrive off of and avoid the constant syndrome of playing catch up. Repeat the same schedule daily to create maximal benefits.

Practise self-care

Athough we are out of pandemic-mode, residual anxiety from the pandemic may mean you’re carrying extra unnecessary stress in areas of your body that you may not be aware of. Consider booking a regular massage or fascial stretch therapy session, or treat yourself to a facial or pedicure at the Spa at Arbutus for that extra re-boost!

Be with others

The pandemic forced many of our social experiences into isolation and we should be intentional in reconnecting with our support systems. There can be benefits in breaking the cycle of being a ‘homebody.’ When you’re around others, feelings of isolation and attacks on your mental health can be mitigated. You may even find others experiencing what you are going through and can encourage each other towards positive, healthy solutions. Remember, community can be a source of happiness.

Working out

You can’t really get around this one, because outside of the physical benefits of exercise, moving the body around really does increase endorphin levels (among others) that give you that natural kick (often called ‘runner’s high’). Currently, micro-workouts are trending and can be accumulatively effective over time and easier to fit into your schedule. Perhaps it’s a TikTok dance video or a 5 minute stretch each day – something is always better than nothing!

Fill up once a week

Do one thing a week that you really love and fills you with joy. Not necessarily food, but perhaps it’s a dance class with a few friends or heading to the library and having a good read for an hour. Whatever fuels your energy is great and will help you tackle the rest of the more mundane items on your list in a more peaceful and less stressful way.

Play games

It may sound silly, but playing a few rounds of board games or word puzzles helps you focus your mind on a single thing. Playing games helps exercise the brain in a different manner, stimulating and activating dormant areas. Besides, when was the last time you didn’t enjoy winning at Scrabble!

We hope these tools encourage and inspire you towards prioritizing your mental health and always encourage seeking professional help if you would like assistance. ♦

The 2022-2023 Arbutus Club Minor Hockey Association season has been one for the books, with a total of 176 players registered across age levels 6 to 18 years old. From the youngest rookies in Pups Hockey to our seasoned veterans on Rep and Recreational teams, every player has shown impressive dedication and skill on the ice.

“This season ended up being a magical year with some excellent highlights and great team performances from every team within our Minor Hockey Program,” says Minor Hockey Director, Jason Fothergill. “Our initiation program for 6-8 year old’s showed us all that the foundation of our hockey program is in good hands with many outstanding youngsters leading the way through fun and on-ice skill development.”

Minor Hockey

“What a season so far,” says Geoff Pearson, proud parent of U13 A1 player Ernie Pearson. “It’s pretty special that these players get to experience so much success with the teammates they get to see at the Club all year long, not just through the hockey season,” he continues.

Across the Avalanche Minor Hockey U11, U13, U15, and U18 programs, the Club had teams competing for Championship Banners at all levels – a feat that is a testament to the skill, hard work, and dedication from the players to the coaches.

The collective effort is not lost on Fothergill, “We want to thank all of the coaches, managers, safety people, timekeepers, scorekeepers, referees, and all that contribute to the

Like an actual Avalanche, some teams in particular illustrated what a force of nature they can truly be. Our U11 A1 took 2nd place in the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association (PCAHA) Flight 1 Final 4 and were winners of the OneHockey Invitational Tournament in Las Vegas held in February. "It was pretty exciting...We were on a roll after the first one [goal]," said Ethan Godwin, Assistant Captain and Right Defence following the win. “It was a team effort for sure!” Echoing the sentiment of his teammate, Lucas Wesik, Left Defence, added "I thought we weren't going to get an opportunity to win it, but then we

- Geoff Pearson, ACMHA Parent

▼ U13 A1 – PROVINCIAL TEAM

Minor Hockey Results

Recreational Teams

rep Teams

The wins kept coming too. Capping off a phenomenal year, the Avalanche U13 A1 team were crowned Flight 3 Banner Champions with a walloping 5-1 win over New Westminster. The team’s prowess is and has earned them a coveted spot representing the Club in the BC Hockey Provincials, taking place in West Vancouver from March 19-23. The team worked hard in preparation for the tournament and everyone in The Ar butus Club community has cheered them on with vigor. Kudos to everyone who played a part in Minor Hockey, including the players, parents, and coaches. Hockey is a team effort, and the dedication and effort put in by all is greatly appreciated and acknowledged. Now, let's hope things keep snowballing for our players next season – there ain't no slowing them down! ♦

U13 C1 BANNER WINNERS

U11 C1 REGULAR SEASON LEAGUE WINNERS

U18 C2 BANNER WINNERS

a team approach

Whether you are a professional or just starting, injury prevention is the shortest path to increase performance and the Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre is your support team.

The Arbutus Club’s Fitness Centre and Wellness depart ment is always ready to support your journey to the next level as a team. We have on-site physios, RMTs, acupunc turists, kinesiologists, body workers, and personal trainers – who are all trained to help you reach your fitness goals.

Whatever your start point is, we are here to find out your baseline and work towards your individual goals with you.

TRAIN, RECOVER, PERFORM

In the professional sports arena, there is a team of professionals supporting individual athletes with the goal of bringing the best performance out of athletes.

Even at the non-professional level it is the same. Each athlete needs support - juniors and seniors. Each body, young or ex perienced, changes at different paces with different strengths and weaknesses. That is where our team can bridge the gap between training and performance.

If you have an acute injury, chronic pain, or are recovered from an injury but prone to re-injury - we are here to support you.

Physiotherapy & Wellness

Wes Bertsch and Mika Bott are some of the talented members on our team. Wes is a Registered Kinesiologist, Tennis Coach, and is currently #1 in Canada in the 30+ age category. Mika is a Registered Massage Therapist who holds a Certificate in Athletic Performance and Rehabilitation. Both Wes and Mika often work together with tennis players from professional to junior ITF. Because of their expertise in the sport, their goal doesn’t stop at “return to the court.”

Wes and Mika emphasize “playing and the beyond.” Depending on your preferred play style, level, and goals, the duo collaborates with tennis professionals, supporting each player in achieving their individual goals. For example, players with limited range of motion would see Mika first, then after she mobilizes the structure, Wes will activate and integrate a movement. If there is an acute phase injury, Mika treats compensation and may perform an isometric exercise. In cases where there is tightness due to weak and stretched muscles, it is good to work with a Kinesiologist to strengthen and activate your weak muscles. Physio, RMT, and KIN have overlapping modalities that allow for a smooth transition between each. Each practitioner has their own sports experiences that help make it easier to communicate with coaches as well.

YOUR FIRST STEP - REACH OUT

If you are an athlete and wondering what is the best approach for you. The first step is to reach out to the Physiotherapy team. The team will assess your current baseline and help navigate you in the right direction.

PLANNED SEMINARS/CLASSES

The Physiotherapy and Wellness team is working on bringing you thoughtful, new workshops related to injury prevention. Dates and times will be confirmed in the coming weeks, but the following seminars and classes are in development:

► Tennis Stroke Specific Training (on/off court)

► Change of Direction Athlete Workshop

► Overhead Athletes’ Injury Prevention Workshop

Visit Club Reception to sign up. If you are interested, but don’t know where to start, please email Robert Gibb at rgibb@arbutusclub.com.

YOUR SUPPORT TEAM

Take a look at a short list of our practitioners. Each practitioner is well equipped to offer support in any sport, however we have included icons next to each of them to show their sport experience. ♦

JUSTIN MAZZEI JOHNNY GUAN CHEYENNE LAATSCH

SANDRA MIHAJILOVIC

WES BERTSCH ROHAN ROY

MIKA BOTT

REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY

it's Quite a big dill in pickleball

Pickleball serves up a flury of the latest updates, including staff changes, guest coaches, and the defacto program bible.

Coaching Staff Update

We are pleased to announce Dave Glass as our new Head Pickleball Professional. Dave began as our Head Squash Professional in October and will now take on the dual role of heading both sports. If you have not met Dave, please swing by his office which is conveniently located in the Squash Lounge beside the North Gymnaisum.

Who is Dave Glass?

A recently certified Pickleball Canada Coach, Dave Glass is our Head Squash Professional who played professional squash and was ranked 150 in the world. Dave is a 15-time Junior and Senior Manitoba Squash Provincial Champion. He is a highly respected squash coach who was the Head Pro at the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club from 2014-2022. Dave is excited to bring his years of coaching experience to the sport of pickleball.

More Certified Staff

The Club recently hosted a pickleball certification course with Pickleball Canada for experienced racquet sport coaches. In addition to Dave, we now have 2 more Pickleball Canada Certified Coaches on staff; Goran Zovko (Tennis Director), and Hossein Farghadani (Badminton Head Coach). These coaches will work as substitutes and help support lessons and events as needed. Craig Mercer, Director of Athletics & Recreation, was also certified with Picklaball Canada to gain added insight into the sport.

Pickleball brochure and Booking Policies

We have created a Pickleball Brochure that provides everything you need to know about Pickleball at the Club, such as general policies, program & court booking procedures and policies, free courts, no shows, cancellations, wait lists, equipment, and more. The brochure can be picked up at Club Reception, the Registration Desk, and in the Squash/Pickleball Office.

Special Guest Coach

On Thursday, February 23 special guest coach, Mark Renneson ran three pickleball clinics for members. Mark is the founder of Third Shot Sports and Pickleball Coaching International and runs pickleball clinics and camps around the world. Mark also does broadcast commentary at major pickleball events like the US Open, US National Championships, and he is in charge of Canada's National Pickleball Coach Education Program. The sessions were for experienced players and seemingly very well received.

Did you know

Outdoor Courts

As the weather improves pickleball players can enjoy playing on our outdoor courts. We have 2 designated outdoor pickleball courts (Pickleball Courts 1 & 2) and a multi-use Court 7, which is a tennis court with pickleball lines. When booking an outdoor pickleball court on arbutusclub.com, members can select either ‘Outdoor Pickleball’ and book outdoor Court 1 or 2, or select ‘Tennis’ and book the multiuse Court 7.

CANCELLATIONS

Courts must be cancelled more than six hours before reservation time.

Failure to cancel the court within the outlined times will result in a $5.00 cancellation fee. "Free Courts” booked within six hours of the start time will not be subject to the cancellation fee.

WAIT LIST

If all the courts are booked for a time you wish to play, you can add your name to the waitlist online via arbutusclub.com or with Club Reception. Members who are on the waitlist must provide an email address where they would like to be notified. If a court becomes available, the first person on the waitlist will be automatically booked on the court and notified by email.

Equipment

If you are new to the game and do not have your own pickleball paddle you can borrow one from Club Reception.

Members are required to set up and take down the pickleball nets while playing in the gymnasiums. If you need help, please connect with the Pickleball or Recreation Services team. ♦

BRUNCH & DINNER

Mother's mother

SUNDAY, MAY 14

[muhth-er] noun

The finder of all things, biggest cheerleader, and fiercest defender.

Come for brunch or dinner in our finely appointed third floor banquet rooms and fete the reason for our existence in a style fit for a queen.

This event is free for children 4 years and younger. Contact the Catering Manager, Kim McBurney, at catering@arbutusclub.com or 604-266-7169 for assistance or to answer any questions.

Brunch

$59.00 adults

$35.00 children 11 years & under Dinner

$65.00 adults

$40.00 children 11 years & under

RESERVATIONS

AVAILABLE APRIL 13

AT 11:00 AM ON ARBUTUSCLUB.COM

beneath the surface

The Tennis department serves up a primer on the different types of tennis court surfaces and how each will keep you on your toes.

Those that follow tennis know that Rafael Nadal is the "king of clay courts." Roger Federer is known as one of the best grass-court player of all-time. But, why is that? Why are two of the all-time greatest tennis legends capable of performing so differently on distinct surfaces? Basically, tennis court surfaces are constructed in contrasting ways and use different materials. Their dissimiliar construction and composition affect several aspects of a tennis match, including the velocity of the shots, the ball bounce, and the players’ capacity for moving around. Some players, like Federer, adapt better to courts with faster surfaces, while others like Nadal perform better on slower and bouncier courts.

Most of us may have played on one or maybe two surfaces before, but what you may not know is that there are many more court surfaces out there, each one affecting the player’s game in a different way.

Types of COURT SURFACES

⊲ Hard Courts

The majority of the biggest professional tournaments, along with most courts at clubs throughout North America, are played on acrylic/polyurethane courts (hard courts). This includes two Grand Slams (Australian Open and US Open), the ATP Finals, and 6 ATP 1000s (Indian Wells, Miami, Canadian Open, Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Paris).

Skating

⊲ Clay Courts

There are two main types of clay courts: red clay and green clay (also known as claytech or har-tru). Green clay courts are faster and more popular in the United States, while red clay courts are slower and more popular in South America and Europe. Red clay is the second most popular surface on the professional tour, as it is the surface of one Grand Slam (French Open/Roland Garros) and 3 ATP 1000s (Madrid, Monte Carlo, and Rome).

⊲ Grass Courts

Considered the most elegant of all surfaces, grass courts are somewhat difficult to find nowadays. Grass courts used to be a lot more popular in the past. Between 1905 and 1974 3 Grand Slams were played on grass (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open). With the decline in popularity of grass courts, only one Grand Slam is currently played on grass (Wimbledon). Unsurprisingly, no ATP 1000s are played on grass.

⊲ Indoor Courts

Finally, while indoor tennis courts are not necessarily a different surface, they are worth mentioning. An indoor tennis court may have any of the surfaces mentioned above, but the roof makes the overall experience feel a little different.

Currently, only one ATP 1000 is played exclusively indoors (Paris). Several other ATP 500 & 250, and Challengers are also played indoors. As of 2020, the main courts of all Grand Slams have a retractable roof, which means that players may end up playing indoors in the case of bad weather.

gliding forward

It's blades of glory in skating with exciting program changes and graduations.

This winter term Skating launched a revamped Learn To Skate program incorporating balance, control, and agility circuits. Our new Junior Achievers program focused on the basics of figure skating and pre-competitive Star Skate. We are very pleased with the program and look forward to continuing to expand and implement more improvements!

If you haven’t had a chance to play tennis on any other surface than a hard court, chances are most other players you face in your weekend doubles matches haven’t either. After all, it might be fun to look up the surface of choice in the place you are visiting, and try to jump on a court while on vacation. ♦

We are proud of all of our skaters who have graduated from Jr Achievers into our Junior & Senior Figure Skating program - Ryan Hardy, Eleni Irinakis, Ellie Lum, Zoya McClure, Madeleine Morzaria, Camille She, Georgia Silk, Zoe Wang, and Sabine Ward.

Group Enrichment classes with Coach Jeremy and Coach Megan have been an exciting addition to the Junior/Senior figure skating program. In this class our figure skaters focus on skating skills and building up their fundamentals.

The Skating team is looking forward to seeing all our atheletes this coming spring term. ♦

Our popular prize filled Father’s Day Trivia returns along with the best gastronomic creations that Chef Michael and his band of minions can concoct for the men we love for being the quickest to boast, the best with a joke, and certainly, the most important bloke in our lives.

$59.00 adults | $35.00 children 11 years & under.

This event is free for children 4 years and younger. Contact the Catering Manager, Kim McBurney, at catering@arbutusclub.com or 604-266-7169 for assistance or questions.

visual & emotive emoJi check-in station

The Youth team introduces visual and emotive symbols in the Shaughnessy Room in the form of the ‘Emoji Check-In’ station.

Our Youth staff have been hard at work, introducing more visual and emotive symbols as seen in the Shaughnessy Room's ‘Emoji Check-In’ station. Youth Leaders and parents can use it by asking their child(ren) to choose an emoji that represents how they are feeling that day. Part of this new emoji check in allows for the child(ren) to begin putting words to their emotions and feelings and develop a better understanding of themselves.

Some great questions to ask when looking and going through the Emoji Check-In board are:

► What makes you choose that emoji?

► What does that emoji mean? What emotion is it?

► What emoji do you wish you were today?

► Do you feel this emotion anywhere in your body?

► What kind of activities can you do that support or get you out of that emotion/emoji?

IDENTIFYING EMOTIONS

Identifying emotions is a huge step for children in understanding what goes on in their brain and body, and sometimes they need guidance in what to do with the big and little emotions that they are feeling. Below are a few examples of activities you can encourage your child to do if they are identifying as these different emojis.

SMILING

Play a board or card game, colour a picture for someone, read a book, and do something that makes you smile even wider.

SILLY FACE

Learn a new joke, do a silly dance in the gym, colour a picture for someone, and/ or think of a joke to have a leader put up for joke of the week.

COOL GLASSES

Make a new friend, play Pac-man or pong, play a game in the gym, and/or ask to join a game.

SLEEPING

Take time to read a book, colour a picture, and ask for a trusted adult to sit with you.

SIDE EYE

Take 3 deep breaths, and find food to nourish your body with.

FLAT EYED

Read a book, take time to yourself, learn to play a new card game, and invite someone to join you.

SAD FACE

Tell a trusted adult what is making you sad, drink some water. Give yourself a big hug for at least 3 seconds.

ANGRY FACE

Go into the gym and take space to yourself to stomp your feet, play a running sport. Tell a trusted adult what is making you angry.

SURPRISED FACE

Take 3 deep breaths, wiggle your toes, look around you and find something familiar.

Emojis are a tool that adults use to communicate tone and emotion in their texts. Now they can be used as a way for the younger members of the club to begin to understand their own emotions and how they hold them within themselves. Please be mindful that these are beginner steps and ideas, and each child is unique. Sometimes questions are too big and actions speak louder to show the child(ren) what they can do. For guidance, please feel free to connect with Chloe Ekkebus, Youth & Family Coordinator, about how to continue to use the Emoji Check-In board. ♦

For more information about Youth programming contact Youth and Family Coordinator, Chloe Ekkebus, at cekkebus@arbutusclub.com or 604.269.8898.

CORKCICKLE ⊲

LEFT ON FRIDAY

Pool Days Top and High Tide Bottoms (Popsicle)

Sun Soaked Lilac (left), Santorini (middle), Sun Soaked Pink (right)

ALOHA

Mid Sea (front) Monstera Day Tripper (back)

ITEMS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

LEFT ON FRIDAY

Sunday Suit - Black (left)

High Tide Bottoms - Sprint (right)

MAUI JIM

ALOHA

Mid Monstera (front) Ratan Day Tripper (back)

ALOHA

Mid Merci (top podium - front)

Eye of the Tiger Day Tripper (top podium - back)

Mid Mu'umu'u (bottom podium)

ALOHA

Mid Pineapple Express (middle podium - front)

Pinstripe Day Tripper (middle podium - back)

Mid Snow Leopard (bottom podium)

Liquid Sunshine (top right) Pehu (left), Pailolo (right) Wedges (bottom left)

Book a Lash Lift or Brow Lamination and receive a complimentary tint.

Purchase Jane Iredale makeup and receive the 2nd item at 20% off

30% OFF JANE IREDALEPUREPRESSED

MOTHER'S DAY

Book any facial and enjoy a complimentary hand mask treatment during your facial.

Purchase Dermalogica and receive the 2nd one at 15% off

FATHER'S DAY

Book a Sport Facial and enjoy a complimentary Eye Fresh Mask Treatment.

Buy any Sun Protection and receive 10% off on any other product purchased.

FAVOURITES

Vitamin C is a dermatologist-favourite ingredient. Discover the benefits in using some of our preferred products for the season.

Institut Esthederm Intensive Vitamine C Gel-Cream Reduces dark spot appearance and leaves the skin visibly clear and even. Formulated with a stabilised vitamin C, it targets the factors responsible for skin ageing and dull complexion by visibly smoothing the skin’s micro-relief.

APPLICATION TIPS: Apply to clean, dry skin on the face and neck in the morning and evening. The INTENSIVE collection can be used with your usual skincare routine.

Institut Esthederm Intensive Vitamine C2 Dual Concrete Reduces the appearance of dark spots by 96%, restores radiance to the complexion by 97%, and smoothes the skin.

APPLICATION TIPS: Apply 1 pressure pump in the morning and evening to the entire face and neck. Ask your esthetician about the specific Esthederm movements to maximize the potential of your product.

PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR AT THE EVENT OF THE YEAR!!

SATURDAY, MAY 27

7:00PM - 12:00AM

19+ EVENT