With its first dryland training session on April 2, the Cochrane BMX Club is gearing up for its new season.
"Coming off of last season, we had the biggest number of members we've ever had, we also had the second biggest membership group in Alberta so that gives us a whole host of riding levels and ages. We've got 50-plus riders in the expert class and you've got five and six-year-olds in the novice (level of riders) and expert level riders and everything in between," said Cochrane BMX President Adam Ross.
"There's a level of excitement that I haven't seen before in the six or seven years I've been with the club because so many people wants to ride and get on the track but everyone has their own aspirations and goals and it all comes together on the track. This year, there is a higher level of excitement than normal and the weather being nice has certainly boosted that."
"We have a big year coming up. We're hosting a couple high level camps, one out of the States and then one with Tory Nyhaug and James Palmer ... they're the big Canadian BMX athletes who are hosting a camp here so those new events have also generated excitement, not only for the Cochrane folks but for people in the surrounding areas who want to come here and train as well. We're also hosting the provincial finals in the second weekend in September, which is a huge deal because it's the culmination of the season ... there's an awards banquet so we're putting that whole thing on. The eyes of Alberta BMX will be on Cochrane this year which is huge for us."
Coming off such a record year in terms of growth, Ross said the rise wasn't a one time thing. Since he joined the club, there has been a continual boost in numbers.
"Last year, we finished with 211 members and going back to 2013, when I joined, there were around 60 to 65 registered members. So between 2013 to 2018, there have been over 100 riders that have joined the club. It was sort of a pivotal point in 2014 when the folks we brought on the board were very engaged, had good experience, some of them were racers themselves and just very passionate to move the club forward," Ross said. "There was a real sense of responsibility from the group so couple that with the fact that everyone has had a good experience for the most part, has really contributed to the growth. Another factor to that is that Alberta BMX is on the rise ... a lot of other clubs are continuing to grow and BMX is going into its third Olympics in 2020 and we have a large contingent of 10- to 14-year-old riders both male and female who started in novice and are now at the expert level and they've brought in friends over the years which also really helps."
BMX Day in Alberta will be taking place June 2 in Cochrane, which is something that will give newcomers to the BMX scene a chance to experience the sport in a non competitive environment.
"It'll be taking place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., which is important to note because it normally took place in the morning. But we're trying to host it later in the day to be respectful to Footstock which is also taking place that day," Ross said.
"BMX Day in Alberta is a chance for people to come out ... we have a bunch of loaner bikes, helmets, a bunch of experienced riders will be on board as well to answer any questions that people may have. Anyone can give it a go if you can balance on two wheels then you're good to go. Generally the weather has been good so you have a good chance to get out on the track and it's an opportunity that's supported by Alberta BMX to get exposure to the sport of BMX in a friendly, non competitive environment which is important to a lot of folks because it can get pretty intense and busy on the track."
