Life in motion: Balancing competitive sports with family-first adventures

My name is Anna England. I am 13 years old and live in Campbell River, BC, where I was born.

I feel very lucky to live on Vancouver Island. It is so beautiful and has so many places to explore. I love the outdoors, camping, hiking, swimming, biking, skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, hunting, quadding, and fishing.

One of my favourite parts about living in Campbell River are all the amazing spots to go camping. Our family has a camper van and in the spring and summer months we often go with friends. One time my mom even planned a kids’ fishing derby while we were camping. It was so fun. I love hanging out with my friends, sitting around the campfire, eating s’mores.

In the winter months, I love downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. One year I did a winter multisport course where we got to make snow forts that could be slept in.

Boating adventures

Our family has a boat and we often explore new places, watching for wildlife and fishing for salmon. Once we saw a bear swimming from one island to another in the ocean. I am very confident helping my dad pick fishing lures, using the downriggers to put the lines down, watching the rods strike, reeling in the fish, and knowing what type of fish it is and whether or not it is legal to keep it. Once we get back to the dock, one of my favourite things to do is fillet the fish. I also help with the boat cleaning and maintenance.

I love sports, specifically field and box lacrosse, as well as competitive dance. I have been playing lacrosse for seven years and this year our coed field lacrosse team (North Island Rage U15) won the Vancouver Island championship banner and placed first at BC Provincials. Most recently my coed box lacrosse team (Comox Valley Wild U15) won the Vancouver Island championship banner and placed second during the gold medal game after an overtime loss at BC Provincials. I really enjoy playing lacrosse and would encourage others, especially girls, to try it.

The love of dance

I have also danced, in a variety of styles, with CR Dance Extreme since I was five years old, and have danced competitively for the past two years in my favourite style, Acro. Acro is a combination of gymnastics and dance and I love learning and performing acrobatic tricks. This year, I am excited to be competing in my first Acro solo and it will be my second year in an Acro duet. Each year we participate in several dance competitions and perform a mid-year and year-end recital at the local Tidemark Theatre, which is so much fun to do, especially because it is with my friends. This past year we even did a Christmas show.

I also really enjoy arts and crafts—painting, drawing, wood burning, and making bracelets. A few years ago I raised $500 selling bracelets at a local campground and I donated the money to Ned’s Wish. Ned’s Wish is a foundation which supports retired police dogs across Canada. I am a huge animal lover, especially dogs.

I am always up for an adventure and Vancouver Island is the best place to explore.