Bill Evans - a kicksled pioneer

January 2003
Tell us something about yourself. Who are you?; where are you from; and what do you do for a living?
The first question has potential to lead down many avenues but to keep it simple I am a 44 years old citizen of the United States that lives in Spenard, Alaska. I was born in southern Virginia on the east coast of the US. I moved to Alaska in 1980 and have called Spenard home since 1981. I am a commercial salmon fisherman in "Area E" which is the Copper River/ Prince William Sound fishing district. I have a salmon drift gillnet permit which allows me to commercially harvest and sell salmon. The season generally lasts from mid May to mid-Sept. so I try to do other things during the offseason such as kicksledding.
What other hobbies do you have in addition to kicksledding?
I have many different interests but am able to presently pursue a few at once and not in any particular order so my hobbies in addition to kicksledding include beer drinking, skiing, fishing, reading, gardening, water quality, the Spenard Community Council, and perhaps an attraction to living comfortably on the edge.
When did you start kicking?
Prior to X-mas 1999 Brenda saw a kickbike for sale on consignment somebody had won in the lower 48 and bought it for her son Brendan. On the kickbike was a web site which we checked out and learned about kicksleds. We bought 2 kicksleds from Harold Fricker of kickbike.com. It was so much fun and seemed like such a good match for Alaska we ended up buying all the sleds Harold had available. I think it was maybe 17 altogether. Around the same time we had planned a trip to Europe to visit friends and see something we had not seen before mainly because Brendan was joining the military the following spring, and we have permanant fund dividends in Alaska. Anyway, Harold told us about the International Kicksled Days at Weissensee and ten days after recieving our first kicksleds we were able to participate in the races supposedly being the first North Americans to do so and it was fun.
What is the history of kicksledding and scootering in Alaska? Are there any clubs or competitions?
The history, as far as I know(talking to Hannu), besides a few kicksleds sold to a few people in Ak prior to 1999, begin when we purchased the inventory Harold Fricker had on hand. Since then Paul and Theresa Quade have discovered and embraced the kicksledding and scootering activities by investing and importing kicksleds and scooters to Alaska. They are now selling them throughout the state. The Quades are sponcering a club and will have the 2nd ever kicksled competiton during the Pennisula Winter Carnival 2003 on the Kenai Pennisula which is south of Anchorage. In Anchorage, Brenda and I have sold the original purchase of 17 plus several more and in 2002 had 5 of the people that purchased them participate with us at our local ice track during various casual kicks. We hooked up with our local speedskating club and participated in their races and weekend skates. In 2002, I believe, the first kicksledding on official(speedskate club) measured ice took place.I was the only kicksledder to complete the 50K. It took me 2.5hrs to do the 110 laps on the 400m track. One of my goals in bringing kicksledding to Alaska is the 2004 winter cities conference which will take place in Anchorage. I am hoping to garnder support for a Finnish + contingent to Alaska for a competition or demonstration. We'll see how far we can get.
Have you ever been in Finland, Northern Europe, or Europe before?
Yes, In 1974or75 I was fortunate enough to be able to attend summer school and then a semester through my college in Europe. The summer school was basically a tour through eastern Germany. I attended the semester in Munchen and travelled in between with a euro-rail pass all around Europe. The first time I was inside the artic circle was Norway. I remember all my classmates thought it strange when I headed north as they all headed south. The other time I was in Europe 2000 was for the trip with Brendan and Brenda and the Weisensee Kicksled days which I would recommend for anyone.
What are your feelings now about coming to Finland?
I'm excited and apprehensive. The reality is like a distant goal. We have tickets but life moves on and we deal with it. We've had a very late winter so my kicksled time is practically (2 Hrs) non existent. I'm way behind on the training aspects but intend to have a good time no matter what. What are your ambitions for the World Championships? My ambitions are to learn as much as I can to promote kicksledding in Alaska with an objective of having some sort of event for 2004 winter cities conference in Anchorage, to better my personal times in the racing events (specifically<1.56hr/40K), to have fun, and meet new friends while appreciating the old friends and influencing the world to kick.
Do you have any personal time or distance records kicking?
I did awful in the sprints. I finished the 40k in under 2 hours. I did 50 K in Anchorage in 2.5 hrs. I'm a novice who likes the kick.
What else would you like to tell us?
I look forward to meeting Kicksledders of the world and hope we can share the fun with as many as possible. Thank you for helping out. I'll be happy for any other assistence I can be.
Richard Van Camp and Antti Lehtinen

Sivun alkuun