Introduction:

While surfing the Internet for dart web sites, I came across Suzie Letrud, complete with E-mail address as a darter from BC, Canada. I wrote to her and respectfully asked for an interview, and she promptly asked "Why me?" Here is my response...

Dear Suzie,
You asked 'Why you?' Let's face it, darts are a prominently male dominated sport. I am taking a chance in writing to you for an interview in hopes that you are a passionate woman darter from B.C. Most of my interviews have been with male darters and I strive to find passionate female darters (as well as organizers and promoters) - both amateurs and professionals to be interviewed. I am starting with you and hope that you will agree to an interview as I would like to learn about you as a darter as well as darts in BC, Canada.

Warm regards,
Sherilyn

Suzie wrote back that she is indeed a passionate darter...and sent her interview responses promptly my way!

Some Background on Suzie Letrud...

Born: October 6th 1958 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Now lives in: Vancouver, BC
Nickname: None
Height: 5'
Type of dart used: 25 Grams
Marital status: Living in sin...
Favorite Food: Steak and Lobster

Achievements: Won many singles and doubles shoots through the years, recently 1st Kamloops Open 2007,2nd Legion 16 2007,1st Vancouver Darts Association 2007, member of BC team 2007.

Hobbies/Interests: Growing herbs and veggies, collecting cook books.

Favorite Players: My great partners Terry Turtle and Heath Hazen, Sally McCullough, Sean Smyth and Sally FongHoon.

Bio: Started playing 1993 in a Legion League, went on to other leagues and then learned about tournaments, and have been hooked ever since. I sit on three Executive Boards and am a mother of two and now a grandmother to Mason.

Goals: To help others learn the game and promote darts.

Interview with Suzie Letrud

How did you get started playing darts?
I moved in with my brother for a couple of months and he played all the time,he talked me into playing a fun blind draw.

And I loved it.

How long have you been playing?
14 years...

What kind of darts do you throw?
25 Gram Darts

Do you play steel, electronic or both?
I have played both, but I now only play steel tip.

What do you say to folks who insist that electronic darts are not 'real' darts?
Well, I have to tell them to try before they knock it.

Tell me about your tournament, league and blind draw experiences?
I pretty much try to support every shoot that I can either it be blind draw,or tournament.I love to travel and meet different players from all over.It is so much fun making new friends and playing against players that you don't know.I think it makes you play better.If I have a new player in a blind draw,I try to help them as much as I can.I remember when I was new and I sponged off anyone who would help me.Hopefully they will learn something from me.

Do you travel to tournaments and which are your favorites?
Yes if I can.I love the Klondike Open-Edmonton ,Alberta,Victoria Open-Victoria,BC,Dublin Open-Medicine Hat, Alberta plus The Nationals which also includes,a tournament in the city where they are held plus The Canadian Open. The Rally in the Valley, Chilliwack, BC,and of course The Greater Vancouver Open (GVO) in Vancouver, BC.

Do you travel to the US to play?
I have gone down to play in Reno, Nevada, Tacoma, Washington and The Oregon Open in Portland.

How many teams do you play on, and how many times a week do you play?
Right now I am playing in four leagues on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday! But I also play on Friday and Saturday in the blind draws.

What is your favorite pub to play at, and what would make the perfect dart bar?
I really enjoy playing in Legions. We are in the process of replacing the old smoking room into a dart room and I am lucky enough to get last say in what should be done with it. Good music, good lighting, good boards and fun people.

What is your home bar?
My home bar is a Legion and that league is starting up at the end of September, so I don't have a picture as of yet.

Do you practice and what is your practice routine?
I ask a bunch of people to get together to practice and play money games every week.

Do you have a dart setup at home?
I do, but I am not using it at this moment. It is actually a portable board setup that can be moved anywhere - I had this made for me.

What have been your best moments playing darts?
I met my honey in a blind draw and we are still together 12 years later. Also getting to meet and play against the best females in Canada, Okay, and the males too.

Do you consider darts a game or a sport and why/why not?
I believe darts are both. I also believe darts should be in the Olympics and hopefully will be in 2012.

In your opinion, what needs to be done in America and also BC to promote darts in a positive manner?
The more experience you have the more you should share with the up and coming. It is unfortunate that some people forget that they were once a beginner. There should also have more youth/adult shoots.

Are their any customs unique to darts in BC?
Not that I know of.

How are you involved in the organization and promotion of darts? With this organization, what do you strive to accomplish?
I distribute any information coming up, take the tournament posters to all the pubs that offer darts, and I try and help where ever I am needed the most. I help fund raise so the costs are not so much on the players going to the Nationals.

How do YOU help promote darts in a positive manner?
I try to set everyone up with a partner at the tournaments, I phone as many people as I can to get them there and to attend other smaller events as well.

What makes up good sportsmanship?
A person who can lose graciously.

Who do you admire in darts? Male and/or female?
John Part and Patricia Farrell - both Canadian players.

What darters would you like to meet? And what would you talk about?
I'd like to meet Ronnie Baxter and we would talk about darts of course.

What words of wisdom do you have for darters who are just starting out?
Learn your proper outs!!! And practice.

What are the biggest mistakes that darters make?
They don't learn their outs.

Do you subscribe to Bullseye News Magazine?
Yes I do!

Where do you get your dart information from? Favorite dart web sites?
Yes, and by word of mouth.

Tell me three things that most darters do not know about you...
I am a open book. Ask me, and I will tell you.

What are you doing when you are not playing darts?
Enjoying my grandbaby Mason, growing veggies and loving life.

Suzie, thank you for your time and energies!
You are most welcome! Thanks for asking me. ~ From Suzie Letrud

Team BC '2008

Suzie Letrud is in the front row on the right...

Where is British Columbia, Canada?