‘It’s a lot harder than it looks’

Abenezer Massore has newfound respect and admiration for the Olympians who are lacing up to compete in Milano Cortina.

The 15-year-old newcomer is no stranger to sports; he grew up swimming and playing soccer and basketball in South Africa.

But he said he had no idea just how challenging it would be to learn to stay upright on skates — one of his bucket list items — for the first time.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks; I have terrible balance,” Abenezer said during an outing to Camp Manitou in Headingley on Sunday.

“I’d love to watch the winter Olympics now, after feeling how terrible and fun (skating) is.”

Despite describing an achy pain in his legs, the 15-year-old said he’s looking forward to the next time he can hit the ice. He graduated from using a plastic aide to skating freely, albeit slowly, during a morning drop-in.

Ice skating is a rite of passage when you move to Canada, not unlike eating poutine, he said, noting his first taste of the “delicious” deep-fried delicacy took place last month.

Abenezer’s family moved to Winnipeg from Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, in June.

“I’d love to watch the winter Olympics now, after feeling how terrible and fun (skating) is.”

True North Youth Foundation hosted the family, among dozens of others, at Camp Manitou this weekend to launch its 2026 “Welcome to Winnipeg” series.

This year marks the eighth annual event that was founded to reduce barriers for immigrants and refugees to participate in popular winter activities. A second session is scheduled for March 8.

Facilitated in partnership with Welcome Place, which runs holistic settlement services, visitors had the opportunity to skate, snowshoe and go cross-country skiing on Sunday.

Proud parents — including Abenezer’s father — took out their smartphones to capture the amateur athletes in action.

“It’s beautiful to watch the children trying… I’m so proud,” said Temesgen Jateno, as he filmed his two boys shuffling on the ice.

Jateno said he plans to find a rink closer to their home near Kildonan Place so the family can go skating in the future.

There was no shortage of nose-dives among the children in attendance, but determined students in helmets brushed off their snowpants and carried on. Hockey sticks were handed out to anyone who was interested.

Daniel Ghile was mesmerized as he watched his six and nine-year-old children try a new sport — one he admitted he was too nervous and cold to try out himself.

“The small one isn’t afraid of anything. She wants to try everything,” said Ghile, who is originally from Eritrea.

“I want to grow it more and more, just because I see how much fun they have and the impact it’s made.”

The father said he was pleased to cheer them on from the sidelines. It was special to see a live version of something he’d only ever seen on TV before, Ghile added.

“We’re trying to help them get into the Winnipeg culture and enjoy our winters,” said Jeff Hofer, director of the camp and outdoor education site spanning 39 acres in Headingley.

These outings are a great way to show newcomers how they can stay active and build community in spite of frigid temperatures, Hofer said.

Many of the visitors only have a basic understanding of English, but their smiles are a reminder of the value of the program, he said.

The camp director is actively looking for sponsors who are interested in helping the foundation expand the initiative to reach more families in the future.

“I won’t let the program stop,” he added.

“I want to grow it more and more, just because I see how much fun they have and the impact it’s made.”

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca