Members of the Penticton BMX track learned from one of the best coaches in the U.S. on July 27.
Tim Daniels, father of American pro BMX rider Dominique Daniels, worked with the group for nearly three hours.
Daniels, who helped coach his daughter to seven pro championships and two world titles, liked what he saw at the Lion’s Park track.
“You have three or four kids who are really going to be excellent riders. I don’t mean down the future, I mean in a month or two. They have already got the fundamentals,” said Daniels, one of five American pro coaches. “I try to point out different things that are going to help them become better riders. One thing that I probably focus on more than any other coach is I spend quality time with the parents. I think parents really need to understand the sport. Getting them to figure out what they can actually do to help their riders. They know their kids better than anybody else.”
Jeff Babuin, a member and coach for the club, said the clinic went very well.
“He was very good. Very informative,” said Babuin. “I learned a lot on how to coach the kids.”
During part of the clinic Daniels worked with the riders on their form for the start gate. Along with explanations, he also demonstrated what needed to be done.
“He is good at coaching the kids, and coaches the parents and explains why you do things that way,” said Babuin.
“They have some good riders. They have a great bill of potential,” said Daniels, who also recruits athletes for Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. “I thought it was great with Jeff because being a coach himself, I was able to show him things that he can incorporate with his training that will help the other riders. There is always new ways to teaching.”
Members of the club competed in a national event in Vernon July 17-19 and provincial races in Salmon Arm and Grand Forks.
In Vernon, Josiah Kuhn earned a bronze medal in five and under intermediate and also finished fourth, while brother Ezra, 3, picked up a silver medal in the strider class.
Simon Brown returned to track after recovering from a broken shoulder and earned a silver medal in 9 intermediate, while sister Mia took third in 7 intermediate.
Demico Gonzalez earned a bronze medal in 5 intermediate, while brother Marquez, seven, won gold competing in a field of 15 riders. Youngest brother Adero won three gold medals in the two and under strider class.
Brody McLean earned two bronze medals in 7 intermediate and bronze in cruiser. His younger brother Zane, four, earned silver in five and under novice.
“It was a great national for our kids, they really succeeded,” said Penticton BMX spokesperson Vanessa Gonzalez.
At provincials in Salmo and Grand Forks, riders brought home a few more medals. Brody McLean won gold in two races and bronze in cruiser, while Zane earned silver and bronze.
Marquez earned silver twice, while Demico picked up two bronze medals and Adero earned a bronze medal.
Josiah won two gold medals and Ezra picked up gold in the strider class.