Jocelyn Dresser (BPhEd’09) and Tyler Ladouceur (BKin ’09)
Two Brock graduates, Jocelyn Dresser (BPhEd’09) and Tyler Ladouceur (BKin ’09), have begun their 10-week, 7,500 km bike ride across Canada to raise money for Sogo Active, a branch of ParticipACTION that encourages youth (13-19) to engage in more health-enhancing physical activity.
Dresser and Ladouceur’s journey began on June 16 in Vancouver, B.C. They will cycle east to St. Johns, N.L. and hope to complete their trek by Aug. 22. Along the way, they’ll visit various community hosts through ParticipACTION to discuss with youth the importance of physical activity, and of the long- and short-term effects of the major inactivity crisis on Canadians.
Friends since their first year at Brock, Dresser and Ladouceur have had this adventure on their bucket list for many years. This past Christmas, the pair decided to cycle across the country before their careers and lives got ahead of them.
In an email sent earlier this month, Ladouceur commented that the ride is going well and both he and Dresser are enjoying themselves thus far. “We have met many interesting people along the way. [Cycling is] truly the best way to travel Canada and actually get a sense of how beautiful and friendly this country is.”
According to their blog, jandtcrosscanadaadventure.com, Dresser graduated from Brock in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. She was a varsity wrestler and volunteered with a number of community outreach programs. She is currently attending Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto as a part of Class of 2013.
Ladouceur graduated from Brock in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology Under the supervision of Prof. Diane Mack, he completed an independent unit where he learned more about the inactivity crisis in Canada. Ladouceur is an avid mountain biker. He plans to enrol in teachers college after the trip.
When asked to offer some advice to fellow alumni, Dresser commented: “This second is a part of your life, do with it as you will, but remember you’ll never get it back. The challenge of the journey is what makes it worthwhile.”
Ladouceur advised: “Take risks, challenge yourself and be amazed at where it will take you, both in the workforce and in your day-to day-living. Find hobbies to enjoy with others.”
For more information on Dresser and Ladouceur’s cross-Canada adventure, visit their blog at jandtcrosscanadaadventure.com, join their Facebook group and check out the article “Students take action with cross-Canada ride” by Simone Joseph.
