Tina’s 10 years as a volunteer
Tina Ciamarra (2nd from right, above) has been involved with the RBC GranFondo Whistler Squadra since the very beginning. Below she tells us what keeps her coming back and why you should volunteer with Squadra too!
“I have been volunteering since 2010! I signed up immediately after receiving an email from my employer, RBC.
“I had the urge to get involved as it brought back memories of my childhood. Every year in Italy I went to watch the Giro d’Italia and gave out water to the riders. I wanted to keep that energy and memory alive by volunteering at RBC GranFondo Whistler.
The Squadra volunteer logo badge
“I come back every year because of my passion for cycling and the energy around it! Due to injury I can’t participate as a cyclist but volunteering is the next best feeling of being a part of this extraordinary event!
“The first couple of years I volunteered at package assembly, and then I volunteered at the Horseshoe Bay rest stop with 10-15 of my co-workers and friends which I still do every year. The teams are always electric with energy! I have so many great memories – too many to mention – though getting lost at 5am one year, parking in the wrong place and having to climb a hill and over a boulder sticks in my mind. I’ve been better organized since then!
“For the last seven or eight years I have also volunteered as a Team Captain at bag check and rider swag as well as at one of the rest stops. These have always been my two favorite places to volunteer. I’d love to go to Whistler for the finish line one day though as I’d like to give out medals but at the moment it doesn’t fit in with my schedule.
“Why do I think people should volunteer? The event is great; everyone involved always shows lots passion and positive energy. Every year it gets even better!”
Sign up to join Tina at Bag Check, or take a look at all the other amazing ways you can volunteer to be part of the RBC GranFondo here.