Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Last Saturday, Sidline Sid decided to check out the new BMX track and facilities at what was the old rubbish dump in Cambridge Road.

What I found was another group of people in the Western Bay, who haven't waited for handouts and assistance, but have got off their butts to put their vision for the future in place.

According to the informative pamphlets that were available on site, the Tauranga BMX Club was established in 1984.

While the club has been well established at Sulphur Point for many years, the move to Cambridge Road will give the club a tonne of area for expansion to provide a top class track, suitable for national and international competition

While the open day on the weekend showed that it is early days, with a lot more work needed by the many volunteers before the shift from Sulphur Point happens, the major benefit of the move will be an abundance of land for a stand alone BMX track.

Enquiries revealed that the present track lacks security and has been the subject of attacks from hoons who have done some serious damage over the years.

Another advantage of the shift to Cambridge Road is that the track confines can be locked up when not in use.

A display of trophies and photographs on Saturday showed that the Tauranga BMX Club has had serious success over the years with national and international titles coming back to the Western Bay of Plenty.

Saturday's open day was the chance for local youngsters who hadn't experienced the thrills of BMX to get up and personal with the sport. Alongside a number trying out BMX for the first time, were the local riders.

While the newbies were content to roll up and down the various jumps on the track, the club members were into full on attack, on the many humps and the curved corners.

Several of the older riders were leaping high in the air with a shake of their wheels to signify satisfaction with the adrenalin-fuelled action.

A chat to one of the myriad of parents on hand revealed that BMX is a sport for all the family.

Kiwi Sprocket is the name given to the introductory under-7's group, who are taught the fundamentals of BMX racing.

It could bee seen that a number of parents have hooked onto the sport, competing on Cruisers alongside their children.

While there were a couple of spills and a few tears at the open day, it was evident that bike safety is paramount by way of bike checks and safety gear.

Perusal of the info sheet showed that riders are recommended to wear full-face helmets along with padded long trousers and long sleeved shirts on race days.

At the serious end of the sport, a spur to competition is that BMX racing is now an Olympic event.

Bay of Plenty's Sarah Walker, who competed at Bejing, has provided some coaching skills to the local youngsters, and is seen as a real role model for the Tauranga Club aspiring riders.

Seeya at the Game