Pat Noddin
29 YEAR OLD YUKON QUEST Rookie
Nationality:
Canadian
Occupation(s):
Handler/Musher
Kennel Name:
Atka Kennel
Kennel Name Origination:
Atka means guardian spirit in the Inuit language.
Kennel Bloodlines:
Swingley, Mackey, King
Breeds:
Alaskan Husky
# of Dogs in Kennel:
75
Sponsors:
Atka Kennel

Musher Question & Answer

How many years have you been running dogs?
5
How did you get started running dogs?

A friend of mine connected me with a musher who needed a handler, so I drove from Nova Scotia to Alberta and have been working with sled dogs ever since.

What do you love most about running sled dogs?
Why did you enter the Yukon Quest? What are your goals for the race?
Running the Yukon Quest is something I've wanted to do since I started mushing. My team is fairly young with not too much 1000 mile experience so getting a big and healthy dog team across the finish line is the ultimate goal.
How did your dogs get their names?/ How do you choose names?

Everyone at Atka has been a hockey player or athlete at some point, so the litter themes are mostly sports based. The puppy pens are full of Hall of Famers and dynasty teams so it will be interesting to see if they live up to their name sakes.

What music do you listen to on the trail?
Share a quick story about one of your indispensable Handlers

Jean 'Big Gerr' Campeau is the heart and soul of the handling team at Atka Kennel. He works tirelessly oto make sure we can race the dogs to their full potential and we wouldn't be able to do it without him.

Tell us about your favourite experience with a volunteer on the trail
Whoever the cook was at Mile 101 in 2018, best Bacon & Eggers I've ever had, can't wait for another one.
List recent sled dog races and/or best performances
2019 - Idaho Sled Dog Challenge, 2018 - Copper Basin 3000, 2018 - Knik 200.