Why We Love BMX

There are many things we love about BMX, but here are some of our favourites:

1.       It’s a sport for the whole family.

Over the years, our family have been involved in sports like soccer and dancing. These types of sports are difficult to include the whole family. When we go to a BMX meet, all of our children are involved. Trent and I can even ride if we want to!

 

2.       It teaches life lessons.

I think this quality would be true of most sports. There are so many life lessons to be learnt in setting goals and training hard to reach them. However, I see BMX as being more synonymous of life with its many variables. A BMX athlete can put in hours and hours each week of disciplined training. They can be as physically and mentally prepared as they can possibly be. Then, they can get out there in a race and have their tyre pop, or have another rider crash just in front of them, or have their crank fall off, or they fall over the gate before the race even starts. I have seen each of these things happen in important BMX races. These riders didn’t give up. They ‘took it on the chin’, turned back to their training, and focused on the next race. Life is like this! It doesn’t always go according to our plans. I think BMX can help riders to learn how to handle the difficulties and frustrations of life.

3.       It builds sportsmanship.

Because of the many variables faced by BMX riders, there are many opportunities to develop sportsmanship. I have seen two leading riders come together and crash in races many times. Despite their disappointment, they get up, and they shake hands or hug their fallen opponent.  Unlike sports like swimming or running, there are times when one rider’s mistakes can impinge on another’s race. This develops good attitudes and sportsmanship.

4.       BMX in a close-knit community.

The support that injured Aussie pro rider, Sam Willoughby, has received from his supporters back home has been testament to this. Because BMX is quite a small sport, stronger ties are developed than within the larger sports. BMX club mates and team mates become like family.

5.       BMX has taken us all over the world.

Yes, we have had to make huge sacrifices, but it has been worth it to travel to places like New Zealand, France, The Netherlands and Belgium with our family. Hopefully next year will us in Rock Hill, South Carolina!

6.       The training is fun.

I love to watch my kids riding around the track after gate nights or race nights have finished at our local club. Sometimes it’s as late as 9 or 10pm; and yet, they keep on going. Pushing each other. Challenging each other. My kids work very, very hard in the lead up to big events (with gym sessions, track sessions, sprint sessions and race meets), but most of the time they are having so much fun training.

7.       It is very social.

We have made so many wonderful friends all over Australia and the world.