Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/156165
New driver, new car Making the Leap B A Q&A with gold-medal gymnast and new driver Brynn Trofimuk rynn Trofimuk is a girl on the go with a rigorous routine – literally. When she's not studying, the 16-year-old Edmonton gymnast is training or competing. She recently won the gold medal for power tumbling at the Western Canada Cup, which makes her the top gymnast in Western Canada in her age category. She's had her learner's licence since the age of 14 and now, after graduating from AMA Driver Education, is poised to get her Class 5 Driver's Licence. It's a rite of passage that most of us remember, and for this busy girl, an adrenalin-filled tumble toward freedom. Car, keys, check! New driver Brynn Trofimuk snaps a selfie with her new wheels. You went through AMA Driver Education with your twin brother, Austin. Was that your decision or your parents'? and it's a lot for my parents to pick me up and drop me off. So just being able to come and go when I need to will be great. We decided that we wanted to take it, so our parents got it for us for Christmas. What do you like most about driving? Why didn't they teach you to drive themselves? I like being able to go where I need to by myself and not having to rely on anybody. And I like feeling that I can hold my own with people who have been driving forever. shoulder-check thing; I would look out the back of the car [instead of the side rear], and I would look for too long and drift out of my lane. What was the easiest lesson for you to learn? Does anything scare you when you're behind the wheel? Probably right-hand and left-hand turns at basic intersections. Yeah. I get nervous if I'm driving with my parents and they say, "Oh, surprise! You have to change lanes, like right now!" I freak out a little. Depending on where I have to go, I have to plan my route ahead My parents said they have horrible habits on the road and they didn't want to teach us the bad stuff. They're members, and they knew AMA was really good. You got your learner's licence as early as possible. Why? I just wanted the freedom. The nearest bus stop is a 30-minute walk from my house, What was the toughest lesson? Merging and lane changes. It's the whole 44 W e s t w o r l d a l b e r ta | f a l l 2 0 13 p42-45_Brynn.indd 44 iPad & online readers: catch up with busy gymnast Brynn to find out why she's so excited to get her driver's licence. Watch the video! ama.ab.ca/Westworld darren jacknisky 13-08-12 9:38 AM