April 5, 2008 (Squamish, BC) – A second skills testing session was held for downhill riders interested in signing on with the provincial team. A short day camp on March 30 in Squamish focused on riders in the U17 and Junior categories. Despite the day being the last one of the March break, eleven riders were able to participate. This session involved 4 riders from Squamish (Miranda Miller, Craig Campbell, Clinton Gould, Scott Halvorson), 3 riders from Whistler (Alex Prochazka, Nick Geddes, Max Horner), 2 riders from the Island (Simon Garstin, Kyle Marshall), 1 rider from the Sunshine Coast (Linden Feniak) and 1 from Fort Langley (Kelsey Begg). Unable to attend due to other commitments: 1 rider from Squamish (Phil Cairns), 1 rider from Whistler (Ian Morrison), 1 rider from Nelson (Trenton Zoobkoff), 1 from West Van (Cameron Woods).

Coaches Shaums March and Dave Hord provided a series of basic trials in the local Coho Park using cones (to evaluate cornering, shifting and body position), and road sprints to highlight acceleration and power. After a quick lunch break, it was off to The Dump Trails in Brackendale for some ‘between the trees’ work to evaluate line choice, fitness, spacial awareness and putting the tests of the morning into practice.

With the fine weather and trails screaming “Come and ride”, it was a hard thing for the riders to hear the focus was on drills and there was to be no shuttling. Everyone submitted to fate with good grace, however, and put their best tire forward. Time was used well, also, getting to know one another a bit more and picking up a few quick tips from the coaches.

In the same way that the kids were probably longing to ride the shuttle trails, Shaums and Dave were simply burning to offer more coaching and to work one on one with the riders. The day was designed, however, for assessment rather than coaching and time was of the essence.

At the end of the day, an added bonus was a flying visit from Chris Colbeck, who gave a bit of an update on his understanding of the National Team perspectives. He discussed with the riders the awesome opportunity offered to Canadian riders this year with two World Cups, one week after the other, in Quebec.

After a flurry of discussion regarding ferry times, it was decided that a quick run down Psuedotsuga would be a great “˜bonus’ to end the day. As the shuttles headed up Diamond Head, where the snow still idled between the trees, those from lower lying land realized that spring was not quite arrived in the mountains! Those out-of-town athletes, who had not had the opportunity to ride these trails before, had a delicious little taste of the breadth and depth of riding offered in Squamish … and vowed to return for more!

With the return from England of Cycling BC’s Head Coach and High Performance Director, Richard Wooles, the athletes are anticipating hearing decisions regarding the shape of the provincial team for 2008 and how the team will develop from there.