People often ask what brought me to Niagara. The answer isn't as simple as a job opportunity, a house, or a change of scenery. In many ways, the Niagara Area Jeep Club was part of the journey.

I moved here many years ago and long before that, I was already spending a lot of time in Niagara. After moving to Ontario from Alberta, I would often ride my motorcycle down to the Niagara Region on summer weekends. The Niagara Parkway became one of my favourite riding roads, and I enjoyed exploring the different communities, waterfronts, cafés, pubs, and small towns throughout the region.

I had always enjoyed living close to the water. At the time, I was living in Etobicoke near Lake Ontario, and I liked having the lake nearby. So when I started thinking about moving out of the GTA, Niagara was a natural place to consider.

The attractive home prices definitely caught my attention, but it was more than that. I liked the pace of life. Things felt calmer. The communities felt less densely populated. There was more green space, more nature, and a little more room to breathe.

Around the same time, my neighbours in Etobicoke, Bar and Rony, had already made the move to Niagara. They became Jeep owners and were entrepreneurs, and I watched them build a life here. Today, many people in Niagara know Bar through The Baking Bar in Fonthill. Rony is one of those people who always seems to be building, fixing, or creating something, with a real talent for woodworking and hands-on projects.

They were also connected to the Niagara Area Jeep Club which is how I first learned about it. They introduced me to the Niagara jeep Club through its Jeep Fest. In 2022, I volunteered at Jeep Fest and got my first taste of the club.

The Niagara Region already reminded me a lot of my hometown of Calgary. I had always appreciated the connection to nature, the outdoor lifestyle, and the friendships I built in Alberta. Niagara gave me some of that same feeling.

When I started looking at homes, my search began in Grimsby along the lake. From there, I slowly worked my way inland as I explored different communities across Niagara. Eventually, I found myself in Fonthill and came across a house that felt right.

The price certainly didn't hurt either. What I was able to buy in Fonthill would have been very difficult, if not impossible, for me to find in much of the GTA.

Not long after, I made the move. Within a week of moving to Niagara, I attended my first Niagara Area Jeep Club meet at Mossimo’s Pizza on Highway 20 in Fonthill.

From there, I joined five or six off-roading trips and met a lot of people through the club. Some became friends, and many became familiar faces around the region.

What I quickly learned is that the Niagara Area Jeep Club is about much more than off-roading. Members get together regularly for weekly meets, social events, convoys, charity initiatives, and trips to other Jeep events throughout Southern Ontario. The club also organizes its own trail rides and off-road adventures.

One thing I always appreciated was how seriously safety was taken. The trail guides are experienced, the trips are well organized, and there is a strong focus on making sure people don't take unnecessary risks. The safety of drivers, passengers, and vehicles always comes first.

Recently, the club had a large group up in Minden, for their season opener run with roughly 25 to 30 Jeeps exploring the trails together. Trail names such as Scotchline, Gooderham are words only the offer-roaders recognize

If you own a Jeep and you're looking for a community, I'd encourage you to check them out. There is no formal sign-up ritual. Just show up to one of the weekly meets, introduce yourself, talk Jeeps, and meet some people. If you enjoy it, join an event or an off-road trip and see where it takes you. And if off-roading isn't your thing, that's perfectly fine too.Don't worry about being called a pavement princess.

Truth be told, I've become a bit of a pavement princess myself these days. My work keeps me mostly on the road rather than on the trails.

Still, I'm grateful for the role the Niagara Area Jeep Club played in my life.

It introduced me to a community, helped me meet people, and became part of the story of how Niagara eventually became home.

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend Kinetic Synergy's annual Cornhole Tournament, and it turned out to be much more than a friendly competition.

The afternoon brought together members, friends, and families for a few hours of laughter, conversation, food, and community. While the cornhole tournament provided plenty of entertainment, the real highlight was seeing people connect outside the gym and yoga studio environment.

There was no shortage of great food throughout the day. One of the standout treats was homemade ice cream brought by a member, which quickly became a crowd favourite on a warm summer afternoon. Between the food, friendly competition, and relaxed atmosphere, it was easy to see why this event has become a tradition.

What stood out most was the sense of belonging. In a world where many people struggle to find meaningful connections, events like this remind us that fitness centres can be about much more than exercise. They can become places where friendships are built and communities grow.

For me personally, Kinetic Synergy has been an important part of my wellness journey.You can watch my reel here about how Yoga and Real Estate make sense to me. 

Like many people, I originally came for the physical benefits. Over time, I discovered that the value extends far beyond fitness. Through yoga and regular workouts, I've experienced improvements in flexibility, strength, balance, and overall well-being. More importantly, I've found a welcoming environment filled with supportive instructors and members who genuinely care about one another's success.

The yoga program has been particularly meaningful. What started as a way to improve mobility, (for pickleball of course:))  and reduce stress has become an important part of maintaining balance in my life. The practice encourages you to slow down, focus on the present moment, and reconnect with yourself in ways that are often overlooked in our busy schedules.

Kinetic Synergy has created something special. It's a place where people of different ages, fitness levels, and backgrounds come together with a common goal of improving their health while supporting one another along the way.

The annual Cornhole Tournament was a great reminder that community isn't built during a single event. It's built over time through shared experiences, encouragement, and the relationships that develop when people come together consistently.

Thank you to everyone who helped organize the event and to all those who attended. It was a fantastic afternoon, and I'm already looking forward to next year's tournament.

If you're looking for a fitness and wellness community in Niagara, Kinetic Synergy is well worth checking out.

Our pickleball clinics are a no BS game-changer for anyone looking to sharpen their skills and deepen their understanding of the sport. Designed for the beginner and intermediate player these sessions focus on everything from foundational techniques to advanced strategies, giving you the tools you need to play more effectively.

Total BS Pickleball offers private, 2 v 2 and 3 v 1 lessons and are currently partnering with the Town of Lincoln for pickleball clinics.

We have also hosted mini tournaments, king of the court and themed events where new learned skills are put to the test.

We can be found at www.totalbspickleball.com 

Here are some photos from recent events/ clinics.

Adam’s Pro Tip#5: STOP RUSHING TO THE KITCHEN!!

One of the biggest mistakes players make in pickleball is rushing to the kitchen line before they’ve earned it. Many players are taught to get to the non-volley zone as quickly as possible, but moving forward out of control often leads to pop-ups, poor balance, and easy put-aways for your opponents. Instead of forcing your way forward, learn to stop, balance, and reset when needed.

The transition zone isn’t a place to panic or sprint through, it’s where points are often won or lost. Strong players know how to move up with patience, using controlled resets to neutralize the point before advancing. The goal isn’t just getting to the kitchen line quickly, it’s getting there under control and in a position to succeed. Often, the fastest way to the kitchen line is slowing down enough to earn it.

Adam

Adam is an NCCP certified pickleball instructor in the Niagara Region known for helping players improve quickly through clear, structured coaching. His approach emphasizes fundamentals, shot selection, and in-game strategy to help players translate practice into real match performance.

A 2-time gold medalist in pro men’s doubles and bronze medalist in pro mixed doubles, Adam brings high-level competitive experience into his coaching to help players build consistency, confidence, and smarter decision-making on the court.

Private and small group lessons are available for players serious about improving their consistency, strategy, and overall performance.

If you're looking to improve your game and see real results, reach out to Adam to get started.

Text: 289-968-7579

Over 110 players took part in the 3 day fun & informal tournament that Graham Long conducts annually at the Port Colborne Tennis Club. This time they were originally scheduled for June 5, 6 and 7. However the weather played a bit of a spoilsport on June 6 and the Mixed Doubles events were moved to June 13, 2026.

Thanks to all the sponsors for providing the prizes, food and drinks. 

The list of our sponsors are below.

• Urban Sparkle Cleaners.  Vaibhav Malhotra   I 908 801-7884

• All Dry Waterproofing.      Rob Eden.    905 401-9041

• Revitalize Your Health.      Shannon Lapointe.  289 296-5325

• Ved Bhat “ That Real Estate Guy”.   365 855-6477

Thanks to all the players & those that helped out including; Marg R, Winnie Z, Mike G, Dave A, Rob E, Ruben M, Edwin M, Ryan/ Alison H, Stephanie H and Graham D.

Here are the winners.

The St. Catharines Curling Club was filled with energy, competition, and community spirit on May 1 and 2 as players gathered for the SCCC Fundraiser Pickleball Tournament in support of one of our own players and her battle with Stage 4 breast cancer.

The two-day event welcomed players across multiple divisions, including Recreational, Intermediate, and Advanced categories. More than 200 participants took part throughout the weekend, creating a fantastic atmosphere both on and off the courts. Tournament divisions included Intermediate Women (28 players), Advanced Women (22 players), Advanced Men (42 players), Intermediate Mixed (48 players), Advanced Mixed (40 players), and Recreational Mixed (28 players).

While the tournament featured plenty of exciting matches and impressive performances, the real highlight was the incredible support shown for Marina and her family. Players, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators came together to raise funds and demonstrate the strength of the Niagara pickleball community.

Events like this showcase what makes pickleball special. It is more than a sport. It brings people together, creates lasting friendships, and provides an opportunity to support one another when it matters most.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and every participant who helped make this fundraiser a success. The generosity and community spirit displayed throughout the weekend were truly inspiring.

As both a pickleball enthusiast and proud member of the Niagara community, it was wonderful to see so many people come together for such an important cause. This tournament was a powerful reminder of the positive impact a community can make when it rallies around one of its own.