SHREWSBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A former snowshoe racer is teaching his craft to kids at a high school in one Worcester County town.
In Shrewsbury, 285 students are taking part in the snowshoeing class at Shrewsbury High School.
In the past, the class was only offered to advanced groups at the school.
Now, physical education teacher Kurt Gustafson says the course was made available to all students this year, as a way to get them out of the house and exercising.
"For a lot of them, it's one of their best opportunities for physical activity throughout the course of the week," said Gustafson.
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He says it takes some time to get used to snowshoeing.
"It's kind of awkward when you first get walking, as you go along people get more accustom to it," said Gustafson.
For beginners, he recommends having a wider stance and adds he even has a quick tutorial video to help kids learn the sport.
Shrewsbury High School Senior Eric Bakken says he loves going out and snowshoeing on the woodsy trail around the high school.
"I just wish others would be more receptive of the idea of going outside and actually taking the opportunity to engage with the outdoors," said Bakken.
He adds it took him some time to get used to it, but now he loves the sport.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports
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(Photo: Getty Images)