Krankin' Kids is a hit. Starting out with 40 kids in the first offering, it climbed to 108, then a massive 120 kids last week in Nelson, Richmond and Kaiteriteri - all stoked to be riding their bikes.
Aimed at kids from seven to 15 years old, Krankin' Kids is a mountain biking skills programme offering session from basic through to super advanced.
Feeling the flow? Or warming up for trail maintenance? The groups of six combine for a shared skills session.
Krankin' Kids Founder, Emma Bawtree started the programme in response to enquiries from parents wanting coaching for their children. The programme was initially set up with coaches from Emma’s Wheel Woman mountain bike programme, now demand is so great that Krankin' Kids has its own dedicated coaches.
The 'Mini's' group squint into the sun for a quick photo, before getting back to shredding Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park with graduate and now coach Callum Bryant on the last day of term 'Shuttle Day!'
It’s not only kids getting involved. Krankin' Kids as been so popular that the demand for coaches has instigated a coach upskilling session through Sports Tasman and flurry of updating of First Aid Certificates.
And not just any coaches, the programme has drawn coach support from local bike shops, racers, media and industry – all wanting to share their love of mountain biking to help with the next generation of shredders.
Coaches Damian Stones (mountain bike adventurer) and Mike Anderson (local bike shop owner) take a checkie selfie while Tay does roll call.
It’s awesome to be with kids having fun on their bikes while they learn skills, bike maintenance and trail building. Watching the rapid skills advancement is slightly daunting, especially when they start to beat you in the local club Super D’s.
There’s coaching clinics established all over NZ now to enroll your kids in. It is incredibly fulfilling to be a coach so if you want to get involved contact Krankin Kids if you're in the top of the south or, your local mountain bike club should be able to point you in the right direction.
Here at Santa Cruz Bicycles and Juliana Bicycles New Zealand we are really proud to be supporting the next generation of shredder through Krankin' Kids here in our hood.