EVENT REPORT   03.13.08 5:27 PM Taking Action Along with showcasing new outdoor sporting products, the annual Toronto Sportmen's Show encouraged visitors to participate in activities like fly-fishing, rock climbing, and archery. FROM TORONTO Exhibitors participating in the Toronto Sportsmen's Show—which opened Wednesday and runs through Sunday at the Direct Energy Centre—are offering a range of interactive activities in an effort to catch the attention of visitors. "It's kind of a rite of passage," said Ray Sriubiskis, vice president of the Canadian National Sportsmen's Shows. "This is the place many kids go to fire a pellet gun for the first time in their lives." According to Sriubiskis, the activities make the event an experience for visitors. The show, expected to draw 125,000 people over five days, includes 450 booths featuring items like fishing rods, camping equipment, and SUVs. Children attending the show have a number of activities to choose from, including a 28-foot-high climbing wall and a pool with canoes and kayaks at the Coleman Outdoor Adventure Zone. The Toronto Sportsmen's Association booth includes an air gun and archery range. Taking an educational approach, Yamaha set up an academy to teach young visitors the basics of riding off-road motorcycles. "The Yamaha Riding Academy is great from a marketing perspective, because they're controlling the whole experience of riding a motorcycle for the first time," Sriubiskis said. Along with booths and activities, the Sportsmen's Show features several dog shows sponsored by Purina, including a hunting simulation called the Gold Whistle Retriever Trials, and the Big Air Dog Show, in which dogs chasing after a decoy jump from a dock into a large pond, with the longest jump earning the winning spot. Pro fishing seminars and the spring boat show and sale are also part of the event.   —Erin Letson The Wasaga paintball shooting range let visitors try their hand at firing a paint gun. Photo: BizBash The Focus on Fly-Fishing area—sponsored by Canadian Fly Fisher magazine—included casting lanes where experts taught visitors how to handle their fishing rods. Photo: BizBash The Coleman Outdoor Adventure Zone included a 28-foot climbing wall. Photo: BizBash Hutchinson Industries turned a vehicle into a large fish tank featuring the Sportmen's Show logo. Photo: BizBash The Kids Zone included an archery range, where instructors were on hand to teach technique. Photo: BizBash The Confederation Log Homes booth was a partially constructed log cabin. Photo: BizBash RELATED TOPICS Toyota, Yamaha, Purina, Coleman