Image credit: Anthony Corea/CFJC Today

By Marty Hastings

ON THE TRACK

Kamloops BMX Club opens new track for younger riders

May 2, 2025 | 6:30 PM

Kamloops BMX Club members often feel like their haven is hidden, the facility tucked away behind Ord Road and shielded by the hills of Bachelor Heights.

They don’t want to conceal news of an addition to the club – a track for younger riders – and they want riders to know the 2025 season is underway.

“The quality of families and the friendships that have been made between all of the kids at this track has just been amazing,” club president Josh Stoesz said.

“It’s incredible. We’re so happy to be able to use this facility.”

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Two years ago, the club revamped its full track, making it more challenging and introducing a flowy rhythm section in an attempt to improve riders’ skills, said Stoesz.

“It just flows nice,” said Jaxin Thiemann, a 12-year-old club member. “You’re able to ride it really nice. It’s not lippy. Lippy is when you’re getting popped up super hard when you’re trying to pump.”

The new track came with a noteable drawback — younger members struggled to traverse the more challenging terrain on strider balance bikes.

“To improve that and to bring our strider rider attendance back up, we made a brand new strider-specific track with smaller features, a different starting gate, and that way the littles can practise at the same time as the big guys, ripping around the track,” Stoesz said.

Pathways to provincial, national and international competition exist for competitive riders, said Stoesz, noting the Kamloops club is hosting an Okanagan provincial series event on May 24 and May 25.

“It’s really limitless on where you can go,” Thiemann said. “It’s an Olympic sport. If you commit to it, you can go all the way.”

Nine-year-old Adalynn Johnson said she is confronting fears of being cut off while cornering and is noticing improvement in her riding.

“Usually, it’s really exciting,” she said. “Sometimes, it’s a little scary. It’s just really fun to be around lots of nice people, just able to ride and get better at things.”

Johnson has a message for girls her age who may feel hesitant to try a new sport: “I’d probably say, ‘You got this. I usually don’t win. I’ve only won like once. I think you should go, try your best and have lots of fun.’”

Practices are held on Monday and race nights take place on Thursday.

“Even if somebody isn’t into racing, you can come down and just check it out,” Stoesz said, noting the club is active on Facebook and Instagram. “Show up as a family and enjoy the 1990s prices at our concessions, have a burger and see some racing. It’s a beautiful sport.”