Graduate Interview: Alex Clarke

Where are you from?
Auckland, New Zealand.

Years riding?
3 years.

What attracted you to the course?
First saw it on Pinkbike about a year or two ago, and then this year I'd made up my mind to go to Whistler regardless, remembered the course and thought it would be good to work on my riding and hopefully be able to return and spend a few summers at Whistler. It had been a dream for a long time.


What were your expectations?
End up with a qualification to get me back next year, and advance my own riding. Both boxes ticked and then some.

How did you find it?
So so so good.

Any highlights?
The extra little bits like suspension tuning, scrubs and cutties that we were shown that wasn't a part of the course, but for our own riding.


Big challenges?
Waking up each morning and knowing it would end and I'd have to go home.

Did it change your approach to riding?
Much better line choice, more aggressive cornering.


Has it changed your perspective of stuff riding back home?
It's all so tame in comparison, I need to go back or drive 3 hours to Rotorua every weekend.

How did you like living in Whistler?
It's a town mostly made up of Mountain bikers, what's not to like?


Best thing about it?
I'm going to be back.

Did you get up to much outside of the bike park, non riding wise?
Not really, I didn't get bored of the park, so that's where I went.

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What was your favourite trail?
Afternoon Delight.

How was Crankworx?
Live up to expectations? Yes, it was so rowdy. Being there in person and seeing the speed of the DH and how big the slopestyle guys go was unreal.


Overall highlight of the course?
It was well organised, lucky to get a great group of people doing it, and the instructors were all awesome, it was five weeks of highlights.

Are you considering getting a job related to the MTB industry?
Yes, I want to work the 2016 season at Whistler.

Any plans to go back?
Soon as I can.

John Inman
Ski, Snowboard & Mountain Bike Instructor Courses & Camps
www.peakleaders.com | Tel: +44 (0) 1337 860 079
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