Board of Directors

Wade Short

President

Wade’s passion for outdoor living began at the age of 11 when his grandfather purchased a 1969 Ski-Doo Nordic—an iconic two-cylinder, 24-horsepower snowmobile. Its primary purpose was practical: snaring rabbits to provide food for the family and acquiring firewood alongside his father and brothers. While joyriding wasn’t common at the time, Wade found endless enjoyment riding in circles around the yard for hours. Later in life, he shared the same passion with his two children, and to this day, he still rides with his son on long day trips, exploring the Goose Arm area and the Northern Peninsula, taking in all the beautiful scenery it has to offer.

Since those early days, the sport has evolved tremendously. In the 1990s, Wade became involved with the newly formed Junction Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club, initially serving as a director and later as president for a brief period. Wade and his wife have always embraced an active outdoor lifestyle in and around the Deer Lake area, which eventually inspired them to re-engage with the club and contribute to the outdoor community they cherish.

After serving as a director in recent years, Wade is now honored to lead the club once again as president. Alongside a dedicated executive team, he is committed to giving back and enhancing the outdoor experience for future generations.

When not working with the club, Wade can likely be found at his cabin in the Goose Arm area, where he spends much of his time riding, hunting, and fishing—constantly appreciating the stunning scenery and views. One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering in this role is connecting with fellow outdoor enthusiasts who share the same passion for off-road adventure, whether by snowmobile, ATV, or UTV.

Colin Butt

Vice President

Colin has 35 years of experience in snowmobiling and ATVing, a passion he owes to his father, who introduced him to the sport at a young age.  Having been actively involved with JTB for the past three years Colin has found great fulfillment in contributing to the growth of both the sport and the community. What he enjoys most is seeing families and young people embrace the outdoors and get hooked on the sport, just as he did. For Colin, it’s all about pushing the sport forward and encouraging young people to get involved. He believes the future of snowmobiling and ATVing depends on the passion that is passed along to the younger generation.

Colin’s go-to riding spot is the Goose Arm area, where the powder is deep and conveniently close to his home, so he can just hop on and go! Some of his fondest memories come from riding with his father when he was younger. He recalls drawing pictures of snowmobiles and dreaming of the day he would get to ride solo—a dream that became a reality and shaped his love for the sport. Being involved in the sport has been a huge part of his life, from riding with his father to now seeing families enjoy the same thrill.

For Colin, it’s not just about the adventure; it’s about sharing the experience and inspiring others to get excited about snowmobiling and ATVing.

Theresa Short

Secretary

Theresa’s passion for the outdoors began at a young age, growing up surrounded by the beauty and adventure that nature has to offer. Some of her fondest childhood memories are of camping trips, snowmobiling, skiing, hunting, and fishing—experiences that sparked a lifelong love for outdoor activities.

That passion has remained with her, and today, Theresa and her husband are avid outdoor enthusiasts. For them, living on the West Coast feels like being in a vast playground, offering endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. They take every chance to explore the incredible multi-user trail network in the area, enjoying everything the sport has to offer. One of her most memorable rides was a snowmobile trip to the Woody Point/Bonne Bay area on a freshly groomed trail with a group of friends. The breathtaking scenery and unforgettable views are forever etched in her mind. With so many amazing trails across the province, Theresa encourages everyone to get out and experience them—there’s nothing quite like discovering where the trail will take you.

Theresa first became involved with the JTB executive in the mid-1990s, serving as Public Relations and Secretary. After some time away, she returned and is proud to once again serve as Secretary. For Theresa, being part of JTB is a way to give back to the community she loves. It provides a platform to connect with others, share her passion for the outdoors, and encourage people to explore the trails that link people, places, and communities.

The most rewarding part of being a JTB member for Theresa is the community engagement and the opportunity to meet fellow riders—both local and visitors—and hear their stories, experiences, and love for the outdoors. It’s a reminder of how special the trails, sport, and Province truly are—it’s paradise!

Brendan Ropson

Treasurer

Meet Brendan – a passionate rider, dedicated volunteer, and community supporter. Brendan has always been drawn to the freedom and tranquility that nature offers. Snowmobiling and ATVing have been integral parts of his life, which led him to join JTB. Through the club, Brendan finds the opportunity to give back to the community by doing what he loves, all while spending quality time with his daughter. In addition to his involvement with the club, Brendan enjoys traveling and exploring new places, both locally and internationally.

Brendan became a member of the Junction Trail Blazers in 2024 and was soon elected as the Club Treasurer. In this role, he works closely with his fellow trail enthusiasts, all of whom share a commitment to making a positive impact within the community. Brendan is dedicated to ensuring that the club remains strong and continues to fulfill its mission of maintaining a trail system that can be enjoyed by all.

For Brendan, it’s about more than just the ride—it’s about preserving the trails for future generations to enjoy.

Paul Watkins

Director

Paul’s snowmobiling journey began in 1969 when he was just 4 years old. His father, who worked at a snowmobile dealership, introduced him to the world of snowmobiling. Paul has fond memories of his father’s Bolens Diablo Rough Twin Track, the same model he sold at the dealership. They progressed through various Bombardier models before eventually switching to Yamaha snowmobiles, as his father moved to a Yamaha dealership. Paul proudly worked alongside him there until he left to join the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) after high school. He served honorably from 1985 to 2017, before returning home to enjoy his well-earned retirement.

Today, snowmobiling is an integral part of Paul and his wife’s life. They cherish their adventures on their Expedition, whether it’s exploring groomed trails or navigating the old logging roads and cutovers that are still accessible.

Being an active member of the club gives Paul the opportunity to connect with like-minded volunteers dedicated to maintaining and improving the trail infrastructure. He takes great pride in seeing the network of trails being used year-round, with more and more people getting involved in the sport each season.

Garry Pinksen

Director

Garry is serving his first year as a director of the JTB executive and is excited be a part of a team with a shared vision of optimizing and maintaining the trail system to its full potential. An avid snowmobiler with 45 years of experience, Garry has enjoyed the sport with his family here on the West Coast. In addition to snowmobiling, he started riding ATV/UTV 13 years ago, a hobby that continues to fuel his passion for outdoor adventure.

Residing in Deer Lake, Garry feels fortunate to live in an area that offers excellent trails for both winter and summer, all of which are well-maintained. While there is always more work to be done, he is eager to contribute to the continued success and growth of the trail system.

Bruce Yates

Director

Bruce has been snowmobiling for approximately 60 years. His journey into the sport began at the age of 8 when he got his first ride on a snowmobile while visiting his grandmother in Howley. From that moment, he was hooked. Since 2024, Bruce has served as a Director of JTB and has been involved in all aspects. He also spent several years working with the neighboring Western Sno-Riders club during its early stages.

Bruce has explored much of the region from the seat of his sled, from Codroy Valley to St. Anthony, with a particular focus on the Northern Peninsula. No matter where he rides—whether in the mountains or on the flats—snowmobiling never gets old for him. One of his most cherished experiences has been snowmobiling with his daughter, who started riding with him at the age of 4. Together, they’ve shared countless adventures, including trips to places like Harbor Deep. A particularly special memory for Bruce was seeing his daughter drive her own sled to Harbor Deep at the age of 14.

What Bruce enjoys most about being a part of JTB is witnessing the renewed interest and growth the club has experienced over the years.

Kevin Hayden

Groomer Coordinator

Kevin has been snowmobiling for over 40 years, with his passion for the sport ignited by a group of friends and his first snowmobile, a Citation 4500. Since then, he has developed a passion for riding, particularly in the Goose Arm area and backcountry. Kevin also enjoys exploring the expansive network of trails in the area on his ATV.

Over the years, Kevin has turned snowmobiling into a family tradition, often hitting the trails and passing down his knowledge and passion for the sport to his children. His love for snowmobiling goes beyond just riding—he takes great pride in maintaining and improving the trails, ensuring they stay in top condition for fellow riders to enjoy year-round.

As the Groomer Coordinator, Kevin plays a key role in managing grooming operations to keep the trails smooth and safe for all riders. He has been involved with the club on and off for over a decade, dedicating his time and expertise.

Gordon Toope

Race Director

Gordon has a lifelong passion for snowmobiling, having been riding since he was a child. His father introduced him to the sport by bringing him home his first snowmobile, sparking a love that has lasted ever since. His favorite riding spot is White Hills, a true winter playground for snowmobile enthusiasts.

As a member of JTB’s board of directors, Gordon thrives working with a dedicated team, all united by a common love for the sport. With years of experience racing snowmobiles, he was naturally driven to take on the role of Race Director for JTB. Now, he’s passing down his passion for the sport to his children, who have already participated in the club’s two race events.

As Snowmobile Race Director, Gordon oversees all aspects of JTB’s races, including planning, organizing, promoting, and executing events. He ensures the safety of participants, spectators, and volunteers, while helping to create successful events that align with the club’s goals.