There may be a chill in the air, but that isn’t stopping an avid group of Oak Bay walkers from venturing off into a cold, winter night.
The Embrace The Night walk will head out from the Oak Bay Recreation Centre at 7 p.m. Saturday. A full moon will light the path along the Bowker Creek linear walkway and down to Beach Drive and Willows Beach where there should be a spectacular view of the moon over the water.
“This next Embrace the Night walk falls on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Walking at night is appropriate action since even in our safe community many women do not feel comfortable walking on their own,” said Ron Carter.
Carter has been organizing the monthly walks since February as a way to pull the community away from their electronic gadgetry and out into the fresh air.
“It’s based on the simple premise that people aren’t walking at night and this is one of the safest communities you could possibly imagine walking at night in.”
Carter and his wife would regularly go out for evening strolls and the concept of the Embrace The Night helped add a bit more of a social aspect to their walks.
“It can be pretty lonely in the evenings when you’re out walking,” said Carter, before adding with a chuckle “Of course, there’s a little wildlife out there.”
What started as a dozen people in February had grown to 70 walkers by September, with those on scooters sometimes even joining in.
“We have revolved this around full moons. The idea is it puts us at different times of the week, plus we’ve had that benefit of having a little bit more light out there.”
Walkers will meet at 7 p.m. Saturday in the lobby of the Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St. The walk will take place rain or shine and walkers are advised to wear comfortable footwear, bring a flashlight and wear bright clothing. Walkers are expected to be back at the rec centre just after 8 p.m. where they can take a break upstairs in the lounge.
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