Kincardine Lions exchange students go paddle-boarding at sunset

Ten exchange students with the Kincardine and District Lions Club headed to Station Beach, Kincardine, to go paddle-boarding at sunset, Wednesday, July 19.

The group, led by Lions Carm Reis, Andrew Lunshof and Brian Keller, arrived in the Kincardine area at the end of June, and was hosted by local families through to the end of July. The students also spent a week at Camp Klahanie in Goderich, and travelled to Niagara Falls and Toronto.

Just before they went paddle-boarding, they enjoyed some time at Family Funland, south of Kincardine, and had supper at the Knotty Pine in Kincardine.

The teenagers came from France, Switzerland, Senegal, Lithuania, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Texas, and Denmark.

Michelle Ropers, 17, of Switzerland said it was interesting coming to a small town, compared to the large city where she lives in the northern part of her country.

“I’m used to everything being within walking or biking distance,” she said. “You do a lot of driving here.

“People have been very warm and friendly here and your beaches are wonderful. I’m used to the salty air.”

Michelle has two more years of high school to complete and would like to further her studies in mathematics and computer science.

Eliot Heiligenatein, 18, of Leon, France, also had to get used to the small, rural town, compared to the large city where he lives.

“It’s wonderful here,” he said. “I love the Scottish heritage. And I enjoyed playing volleyball on the beach.”

He is entering his first year of university and wants to become a lawyer. He would love to return to Canada, especially Kincardine.

The Lions Club is seeking host families for future exchange students. If you are interested, contact alunshof5@gmail.com.



The Kincardine Lions exchange students head out on Lake Huron at Station Beach, Kincardine



Gathered for a photo, before their sunset paddle-board, are, standing, Bolorchimeg Baasankhiw (left), Eliot Heiligenatein, Lion Brian Keller, Kotryna Deltuvaite, Svenja Boutellier, Lion Carman Reis, Tidjane Dia, Lion Andrew Lunshof, Linn Ratjes, Brooklyn Walker; and in front, Ida Freitag (left), Sara Monsorno and Michelle Ropers



The sun sets over Lake Huron at Station Beach, Kincardine