BMX racers rushed out of the gate for the start of this yearB次元官网网址檚 season in Colwood on Friday (April 14), with some pushing for spots in the national competition.
The competition travels through several locations throughout Canada, with the series starting in May in Chilliwack. Local riders are fundraising to travel to events (riders have to compete in at least two to have a chance of making finals), with the Island leg of the competition set to be held in Comox in September. Last yearB次元官网网址檚 event was held at the track at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood.
Typically between 700 to 1,000 riders compete at each national event, with 20 or 30 riders from Greater Victoria BMX Association, according to president Kyle Besler. Two who will be there are father and son duo Spencer and Cohen B次元官网网址楥ocoa BeanB次元官网网址� Nelson, who both practise at the associationsB次元官网网址� track in Colwood and compete at nationals.
B次元官网网址淲e come down and Cohen starts riding and itB次元官网网址檚 the first sport heB次元官网网址檚 ever been like B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檝e never been able to stop him. Or he doesnB次元官网网址檛 go, B次元官网网址業 donB次元官网网址檛 want to go.B次元官网网址� He just wants to be here,B次元官网网址� said CohenB次元官网网址檚 father Spencer. B次元官网网址淭his is the only sport B次元官网网址� parents and the kids can do the same thing. If want to play soccer, itB次元官网网址檚 different times and different fields. But here, we all get to do it all on the same day, make an event out of it.B次元官网网址�
The Nelsons are one of several family dynasties riding with the association, Spencer said he lives nearby five families and will host practises at the end of his road. A rainy winter had delayed the start of the season slightly as the clay track B次元官网网址� when wet B次元官网网址� becomes very slippery, especially with the smooth tires BMX bikes use.
Both Nelsons are hopeful of reaching the finals in their respective age categories and have been fundraising to help cover the costs associated with travel.
While raising money can be challenging since BMX is an individual sport, the community as a whole is supportive, according to Besler.
B次元官网网址淭he island is kind of one big BMX community, and we all do a pretty good job of supporting each other, which is quite nice. I grew up playing hockey and lacrosse and found it to be quite political. If youB次元官网网址檙e not necessarily the best player on the team, you might sit on the bench a whole bunch, while the more experienced players are seeing more ice time. But in BMX, we kind of say nobody sits on the bench.B次元官网网址�
LAST YEAR: PHOTOS: Hundreds flock to Colwood for BMX Canada Nationals
bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com
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