Royal Marines Tour

April 28 – May 13, 2016

There were 10 members of this group and they were in Vancouver for a week –  3 days on Vancouver Island and finally 3 days at Whistler. BC Jesters Chair Paul Stevenson assisted them with planning their agenda and looked after the events at Evergreen. Their activities included 2 practice sessions at Evergreen, 7 squash matches, lots of sightseeing and many late nights at the Roxy. While in Vancouver they rode bikes on the seawall, visited the Capilano Suspension Bridge, hiked the Grouse Grind (escorted by me and David Adams) and went up the Sea to Sky Gondola near Squamish. At Whistler some of them went bungee jumping. Most of the squash matches were very competitive and the results very close.

They thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the west coast and meeting the many players at the various clubs.

Many thanks to the following Jesters for organizing squash matches at their clubs – Carolyn Russell at Jericho, Andrew Lynn at Bentall, Graham Brown via Sean Patton at VRC and Ben Thomas at Whistler.

Letter from RM Squash

RM SQUASH TOUR TO CANADA – EXERCISE JESTERS JAUNT 2

I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of the Royal Marine Squash Team to formally thank you for coordinating the Exercise Jesters Jaunt 2 itinerary. We were fantastically hosted from the very outset and cannot thank you enough for allowing us to use the facilities at Evergreen.

Aside from the squash, I have many terrific memories and would like to mention the Grouse ‘Grind’ walk. We had a tremendous day and thoroughly enjoyed your company and appreciate you giving up your valuable time to accompany us for the day.

On a personal note, I am sincerely grateful for your continued communication leading up to the tour as this made my role as ‘tour leader’ straight forward. As you are aware, organising an overseas squash tour does absorb a tremendous amount of time, however with your support from the outset, the task was always manageable.

We feel exceptionally privileged to have played at some fantastic squash clubs, including the Jericho and It was also great to meet numerous ‘Jesters’ along the way, especially in the bar after a hard fought encounter on court.

I am honoured to have captained a Royal Marine team on an overseas tour to the fantastic country that is Canada. If the Royal Marines can in any way repay your generous hospitality and friendship, please do not hesitate to contact me.

(Signed on original)

R HALL
RM Squash Captain