b'VAST NEWSFall 2019VAST SAFETY AMBASSADOR TEAM MEMBER PROFILE: KEN HEPBURNBy Ken HepburnThe 2016/17 snowmobile riding season was an experience that opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on the beautiful State of Vermont. After I purchased a couple of used snowmobiles, I reached out to a former co-worker whom I knew was involved with the Barre Town Thunder Chickens snowmobile club. I knew hed be able to guide me with the next steps so that I would be ready to hit the Vermont snowmobile trails. Little did I know that the VAST TMA sticker was the key to accessing a remarkable Vermont Winter Wonderland.In 2018/19, I decided the best way to give back to the snowmobileon issues related to it. That is the onlynotifying the club that a chainsaw community was to become a VASTway the snowmobile community as awas needed. An ambassador does ambassador! Id already been anwhole will grow to be safer and betterwhatever it takes to make sure the ambassador at Vermont Adaptive Skieach season.trails are safe. I learned that safety and Sports for six plus years. Littleis priority one. Then add a little did I know being an ambassadorBased on my experience, the bestteaching, and lets go out and have would enlighten other aspects of myway to be a VAST ambassador is tosome fun! life.immediately put myself into anothers I did not realize the constant vigilanceshoes. I try to determine what is theirHere are just a few things a safety it takes to be a VAST ambassador.physical and emotional condition,ambassador needs to be aware of: Yes, challenges do exist, such asnot to mention their skill set, sledweather, wind, ice, trail, technical stopping my snowmobile groupand weather conditions and howissues, population, location, gas to help others and going out of mymany people are with them. Are theystation, food, different direction of way when I see a concern related tocomfortable, and if not, what are thetrails, signs, visibility, junctions, the trail itself. Little did I know howtop three priorities that I should focusvehicle location, condition of sled, much the ambassador program wouldon as a safety ambassador for them?condition of person, time of day, open doors to meeting new people,Most of the time, I was on therocks, trees and so on. Within less providing direction, and helpingsnowmobile, making sure trails werethan 5 minutes after I encounter with the extensive trail system whileup to par, signs were visible, andsomeone who might need help on the providing a positive experience forconditions were acceptable for alltrail, these are the questions that I ask all involved. It takes energy and focusriders. This was the easy part; themyself. to make sure the conditions are safeharder aspect of being an ambassadorAs an ambassador, my job is not to for all snowmobile riders. It is justmeant making sure the trails are okaypolice, even if riders dont have a another way for me to be of service!while driving in my car from onevalid VAST sticker or registration. One of the best reasons for being ansection of central Vermont to another!Thats for law enforcement officers. ambassador is that I learn so muchFor instance, there were many timesMy job is to do all else I can to make from others! I am no expert and dowhen I would get out of my vehiclesure riders are safe and the trails are not pretend to be, but I do offer myselfand make sure, after the snowplowssafe for them to ride. My job is about and what Ive learned to the nextcame through, that the snowbankssafety and fun! rider. I am not out there to enforcewerent blocking snowmobile accessUntil Dec. 16, let the snow gods shine the law but do take note and reportto the VAST trails. Other times, itdown on us!meant flagging a fallen tree and 2 | Snowmobile VERMONT'