On Saturday 14th April Motorcycling Victoria hosted a School Holiday Coaching Clinic for kids aged between 7 and 18 at the Broadford State Motorcycle Sports Complex. This day was structured around developing riding skills and techniques for junior riders, as well as getting those kids who are interested in Motorcycling on a bike to experience the sport first hand.
The day was run by eight Coaches; Mark Willingham, Peter (Andrew) Jones, Scott Stephens, Dean Cottier, Dave Deery, Geoff Chalmers, Ali Tajvar and Michael Tsaikos; who between them have over 20 years of coaching experience!
With the rain coming down it was truly a test of rider determination.
The coaches and kids were split into a number of different areas throughout the day.
For kids who were looking to get a Mini – recreational – licence, Junior National Competition licence or stepping up machine size, there was Kick Start coaching available. This coaching commenced in the Motocross Classroom, where the kids learnt about the sport and the way in which the sport operates including safety procedures, and operational standards of all events; this was followed by a theory assessment, ensuring that all of the kids understood the basics of the sport before they were allowed to get on their bikes for the fun bit! From here the kids bounced out of the classroom and over to their bikes ready to commence some fun dirt action! With the rain not holding off, it was definitely a touch on the muddy side in the flat paddock where some practical riding drills were undertaken – however the kids loved the mud and the mess, having an absolute blast and feeling like pro-riders.
Those riders with a little more experience, were coached over at the Enduro and Channel O area where drills on cornering, acceleration techniques in corners and also riding to the conditions was the main focus, with the kids really making quite significant progress with their riding skills.
On the Motocross track one section was reserved for smaller bikes with larger bikes getting to utilise the whole track. Using the rain to their advantage the coaches, taught riders how to adapt their style and technique to the wet conditions, paying close attention on how to control the bike so that it would not slide out from under them.
While the weather put a damper on the day (pardon the pun), all of the riders thoroughly enjoyed themselves and took a lot away from the day; having learnt and developed new skills and techniques that they can use in their future riding as they continue to improve and most importantly continue having fun doing what they enjoy!