Brenda Smart - a kicksled pioneer in Alaska

January 2003
Tell us something about yourself. Who are you?; where are you from; and what do you do for a living?
My name is Brenda Smart. I moved to Alaska in 1965 from Oklahoma (after my mom died) to help rebuild the town after the 1964 earthquake and love it here. I've lived in various communities around the state but now settled in Spenard. I am becoming known as a Community Activist and have been the Secretary at our Spenard Community Council meetings and on the Zoning Committee for 2 years now. Come February I am uncontested in the vote to become the President/Chairperson for the same group. At that time I will also become the Spenard Delegate for the Federation of Community Councils.
What other hobbies do you have in addition to kicksledding?
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts. I maintain a huge garden and put our harvest up for the winters, I like to hunt deer and small game for food as well. We raise chickens for the fresh eggs. I am a Licensed Massage Therapist with inactive professional status due to injuries, so now consider it a hobby I guess. I've never been into sports or exercise as always did heavy physical labor to keep in shape but I do love to dance.
When did you start kicking?
Approximately 10 days before the Austrian 2000 International Kicksled Days began.
What is the history of kicksledding and scootering in Alaska? Are there any clubs or competitions?
I presume Bill already addressed these questions. We are recognized now by our Municipality of Anchorage Parks & Recreation, Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, Channel 2 News and this year will be included in the annual Fur Rondezvous celebrations.
Have you ever been in Finland, Northern Europe, or Europe before?
In 1994-95 I spent a few months travelling by myself, centered out of Moriken, Switzerland where I stayed with friends- and from there back & forth to Israel, England, Italy and then on to Canada. In 2000 Bill, my son Brendan and myself came to Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, England and Austria for the 2000 International Kicksled Days as a one month send off for Brendan going directly into the U.S. Marine Corps as an Engineer upon our return.
What are your feelings now about coming to Finland?
I am excited at the opportunity, I enjoy meeting people from other cultures and seeing the land, learning their ways and eating their foods.
What are your ambitions for the World Championships?
Mainly to have fun representing our country and state, I most enjoy doing sprint races and games. I'll happily support Bill in his marathon goals.
Do you have any personal time or distance records kicking?
Yes, results of all 3 of us may be seen on the 2000 International Kicksled Days website. At that time, Brendan took the title racing against Bill for Alaska, USA and as I had no other woman from here to race against set the only recorded time so far. Bill & I had tickets to return for the 2001 races but I caught a complicated case of Hepatitis A and could not do anything but sleep, let alone exercise- so unfortunately, we had to cancel that trip.
What else would you like to tell us?
I wish my son Brendan could join us again this year; he is currently deployed with the USMC to the Persian Gulf on stand-by.
Richard Van Camp and Antti Lehtinen

Sivun alkuun