Kids Day was all about learning for the Southern Okanagan Dirt Bike Club on May 15.
Nearly a dozen riders took part in Kids Day on May 15 in the Naramata staging area on Smethurst Road. The club hosted the event with the goal of educating children about operating a dirt bike safely and responsibly. Focus was placed on bike care, riding skills, trail safety and respecting other trail users.
Karla Brandt of the Southern Okanagan Dirt Bike Club said the feedback they received was positive.
“It was an excellent opportunity for kids to get together with their peers,” said Brandt. “Many of the kids made new friends and learned a lot about riding safely. The event went great. It was amazing to see how well the kids responded to what they were being taught. A very rewarding experience for the volunteers to give back and see so many smiling faces.”
Brandt said a highlight was watching the kids listen and demonstrate how to care for their bikes and their involvement in a question and answer session about trail etiquette.
This season the club will host several events including a family poker run, riding clinic, monthly club trail rides and finish with the Frosty Pumpkin Fun Ride at the end of October.
In July, the club will welcome world class hard enduro racer Chris Birch, who is coming from New Zealand. He will be teaching from July 15 to 17 and the school is sold out. Birch is the current and eight-time New Zealand Enduro champion.
Brandt said the ultimate goal of the club this season is similar to that of Kids day, to bring people with similar interests together and develop trail networks for people to enjoy.
“The more members we get the more we can spread the word with our fellow riders to responsibly share multi-use trails and work as a combined voice to keep riding areas open,” she said.
The club has 150-plus members that reside from as far north as West Kelowna and as far south as Osoyoos. For more information on the club, check their Facebook page and www.sodbc.ca.