Air time: Hayden Buck jumps against a foreboding sky at Geelong BMX Club’s track on Wednesday.
By Michelle Herbison
BMX novices had a taste of competition this week at Geelong’s first regional schools championships in the sport.
Cycling Victoria event organiser Chris Ball said interest in BMX had surged since last year’s smaller event.
Increased awareness of the sport through the London Olympics may have sparked interest, he said.
Dedicated riders and novices from as far as Warrnambool, Portland and Ballarat flocked to Geelong for the western region “development program”, Mr Ball said.
“About four coaches lined up at various spots around the track to give the riders the skills necessary to start racing,” he said.
The event aimed to encourage more primary and secondary students to get involved in BMX racing.
“The top three from each division will gain free entry into the final at Knoxfield in Melbourne but everyone else will still be able to enter. You don’t have to qualify,” Mr Ball said.
Geelong BMX Club secretary Steve Glab said the club had about 65 members.
“This year we’ve had a great influx of new kids into the club. The kids like the excitement when they’re racing together,” he said.
“BMX is a 40-second sport. Normally they do one lap and they pump through it.
“It comes down to equipment and technique and fitness.”
Mr Glab said Geelong’s was “one of the leading regional tracks” but the club hoped to expand further.
Geelong BMX Club trained twice a week after school time, he said.
