Phil Duffy
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jun 15/01) - Former jockey Alexander Temes is keeping himself busy this summer reconditioning the fishing boat Notcha 11.

As soon as the final touches are finished Temes will be the captain of both the Notcha 1 and the Notcha 11.

Both will be available for charter.

During the winter months Temes plans to drive a horse-drawn sled for sightseers.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Temes was raised in Hungary and has been living in Yellowknife for the last three years.

"I find living in Yellowknife to be a unique experience," says Temes.

"It's different than anywhere else, that is why I came here. I wanted to satisfy my curiosity about the Canadian North."

Temes has travelled extensively during his life and has seen most of the world.

"The only place I haven't seen that I would like to is Australia," said Temes.

Temes used to be a professional jockey but when he became too big to become a pro in 1969 he had to find another line of work, so he turned to the open waters and became a worker aboard a shrimp boat. After that he became serious about the sea.

"I spent five years in college at St. Andrews in New Brunswick in order to get my tanker's endorsement certificate and I have been on boats all over the world. Ever since I quit being a jockey and got my first job on a shrimp boat I have been in love with the sea," said Temes.

Temes has shrimped in places like the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys, and has also worked as a certified diver.

"I really like to travel and have no problem relocating with just a knapsack," he said.

Despite spending most of his adult life on the sea, Temes' first love has always been horses. Currently he is partners with Tom Pisz in the ownership of North Country Stables.

"Tom is just like a brother to me, we are very close," he says.

"Riding a horse is a spiritual experience. You gain a new appreciation for the animal/man relationship when you are riding a horse that is your friend."

Temes says he developed his philosophy of horses when he was living in Asia for two years.

"I really should be doing my tai chi more often. "It tends to teach people to be more harmonious and less aggressive."