The Sprockids Program is a multi-tiered approach designed to provide participants the opportunity to experience success on a variety of levels. Through the sport of mountain biking students develop a strong sense of self-esteem, while discovering the potential within themselves. -Sprockids
This past spring saw a lot of fun events go down on the Sunshine coast-here's a look at some of the fun we've been having.
Sprockids “Magical Mystery Tour”
Over the course of two days, over 500 young riders from Grade 1 through 12 pitted their mountain biking skills against their peers in the annual “Sprockids Youth Challenge” and “B.C. Provincial High School Mountain Bike Championships.” For many of these young rippers this was their first mountain bike race and from the smiles on their face it definitely won’t be their last! The beauty of mountain biking is that it is truly an “All Inclusive” sport where anyone can successfully participate and come away from the experience with something positive. As for the “Magical Mystery Tour” aspect of Sprockids you just have to experience a day with kids to discover the magic they bring to the sport!
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Sprockids Youth Challenge”
Friday May 25, 2007
This event began in the early 90s and has become an annual classic for young riders from Grades 1 to 7. The race provides elementary students the opportunity to experience mountain bike racing in a fun and festive atmosphere, where being part of the scene is what it is all about. For the more serious riders they have the opportunity to “Go For It” and test their riding skills and fitness level against their peers. For the inexperienced riders, who just want to get their feet wet and find out what this whole racing scene is all about can participate without feeling intimidate. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone, pushing one’s limits while making new friends and laughing until it hurts is why riders keep coming out to the “Sprockids Youth Challenge” year after year. The day may have revolved around mountain biking, but the feeling was more of a festive atmosphere than one of intense competition. For the top three riders in each category beautiful handmade plaques were awarded. These plaque were made by Bill Clarke and his woodworking students at Elphinstone Secondary. Everyone that participated was eligible for the many incredible draw prizes generously donated by the sponsors of the Sprockids Program. This year’s event saw something new added to the repertoire of activities. “Dance on the Diamond” took the crowd by storm. At one point in the day Bob Stanhope, our amazing MC had close to 100 students and parents dancing to the music on the baseball diamond. From there “Spot Dances” emerged, with the crowd choosing their favourite by way of the loudest applause. It truly was a day of fun for everyone involved.
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B.C. High School Mountain Bike Championships”
Saturday May 26, 2007
This was the second time in the past three years the Sunshine Coast has played host to the B.C. High School Mountain Bike Championships and once again the community of Halfmoon Bay put on a phenomenal event. The province of B.C. covers a lot of territory, but this didn’t dampen the spirits and enthusiasm of the participants, some who travelled over 10 hours to the race! In all 58 schools were represented at these championships. For many of the racers this event represented the pinnacle of their racing season, while for others it was more of a social occasion, an opportunity to reunite with friends they had made at last year’s race. Once could focus on the high level of competition and intense rivalry that existed for some of the competitors, but it you looked around and really took in the atmosphere of the day you soon realised there was a lot more going on than just racing. Just like the elementary race that had happened the day before this race was really about being part of a very unique scene, where the positive energy and camaraderie shared between human beings is really what mountain biking is all about.
This particular weekend is also traditionally when many of the school districts hold their Grade 12 Grad Banquets. This obviously makes it very difficult for some individuals t to attend both functions. For three girls from Squamish they just had to be at both events and being the young “Rock Stars” that they are they came up with a plan. They came over with their team as soon as they had completed their race they had a float plane ready to fly them back to Squamish in time to have their hair and nails done, and then it was off to the banquet with time to spare! Pretty Cool!!!!! Over the course of the day there were many other unique and interesting incidents that occurred. As the last car pulled away and made it’s way to the ferry one could not help but smile for you knew the positive memories generated by the event would remain with the participant for many years to come.
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