Pivot Launches New Youth Program With Squamish Rippers Dane Jewett and Ryan Griffith
Pivot has launched a new program for promising new racers called PFR Next Gen. The first two Next Gen racers are Squamish riders Ryan Griffith, 15, and Dane Jewett, 14, who was one of the original PB Groms.
 | When I first heard about Pivot, I was so stoked because I think their team looks like they have the most fun and are always having a good time. I am also so stoked that they can support me with all the different assets of my riding style. Really hoping we all get to race this season and have the best of times with the whole Pivot family" |
| It feels surreal to be on the PFR Next Gen team. I am so excited to be a part of the Pivot family. I'm looking forward to being mentored by some really talented riders nd can't wait to get out racing again. |
Pivot marketing manager Elorie Slater said the program started with the goal of creating a way for the company to be involved in youth development in a meaningful way. Although Pivot sponsors NICA leagues in Arizona and Utah, the company felt it had a gap between grassroots support and the international racing world. Starting a youth development team would be a way to give promising riders a platform for racing at the international level.
Both these boys can get sideways.
| We are remembering the journey of what it takes to become a pro rider, and developing more empathy for all our riders through this process. |
The program has a strong focus on mentorship. Bernard Kerr is taking a leadership role, and he and other Pivot riders plan to help the Next Gen riders as they pursue their racing careers. In developing this program, Pivot hopes to help create a culture where other motivated young riders can thrive.
We look forward to seeing more from Dane and Ryan. The future is bright for those two.
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I'm not sure what the answer is, but most downhill riders in the US are at a significant disadvantage with European riders for a ton of reasons. We have some US riders who are doing well, but the path to get there is a tough one and not a clear pipeline compared to the way many other countries do it.
Thank god for Windrock. Now if we could just build about 20 more Windrocks around the country and get some meaningful devo programs going. Otherwise.. enduro is just going to take over.
Why does North America generally suck at racing?
It could simply be boiled down to the fact that they are purely spoiled for trail choice. In the UK where I came up riding and racing. To shuttle we had to Race, therefore all of our minds were focused toward racing. Less established terrain to ride, simply meant those that did race honed their skills and mindset in with huge sessions of skill practice.
For example riding a series of 5 corners repeatedly for 8 hours on the weekend. With this practice you can hone your body positioning, your trail awareness, the depth and speed perception and overall timing and coordination in an environment where it can be repeated over and over again. It can also be changed and you can feel a direct comparison on how this works at the time.
Now in North America. Certainly in BC where I now currently live, there is very much less of this style of riding. People tend to ride as many trails as possible, be it shuttling or pedaling in a day. We have seen it in the Youth squads however on introducing focused skill sessions (drills in other sports) we have witnessed a marked improvement on recordable measures.
We are however now seeing a crop of racers coming out of BC who have honed their skills with a direct focus towards racing and drilled many laps on the same trail and experimenting with different aspects of riding.
I have heard of stories of many of the new crop setting up cones and just smashing corner after corner on a gravel road.
Simply put we're spoiled for choice across here.
Well placed reference!