Sprockids in Hinton
HMBA is lucky to have dedicated volunteers that keep the Sprockids program running in Hinton. Programs run in June and September each year from 6-7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Hinton Bike Park. Be sure to sign up once registration opens to avoid missing a spot, as registration can fill quickly.
What is Sprockids? Please read below and be sure to check out the Sprockids web site for more info at www.sprockids.org
If you have any questions or would like to help out with coaching please get in touch!
How to register:
Sign up for an HMBA Membership, participants must be an HMBA member.
Watch your email for updates on when registration will open, and the programs will begin. it will also be announced on our website and social media.
Memberships and Registration (once open) can be purchased here:
Program Overview
Age and Ability
Kids aged 2 (on run-bikes) to 14
Younger kids (2-3yrs): parents are required to stay and help out with the little ones.
Parents are encouraged to bring their bike (helmets are required) and ride along.
Cost
Participants must be HMBA members (purchased separately on Shop page)
Sprockids registration cost: $25 per kid
A limited number of registrations will be accepted.
Requirements
Must have fun at all times
Helmet (helmets are mandatory!)
Bike must be in safe and good working order (brakes must work)
Testimonials
Sprockids Mission Statement:
“Through the sport of mountain biking young people will have the opportunity to develop the skills, values, and strategies that will guide them throughout their lives and enable them to succeed in school and in life.”
OUR Supporters
Thank you to all our Hinton Spockids supporters!
History:
Sprockids was originally developed in 1990 as ;a Self Esteem/Anger Management Program to help students succeed in school. Since then, Sprockids has evolved into a multi-faceted program engaging thousands of young people in the life long activity of mountain biking while teaching them the skills, values, and strategies to succeed in life. The program is now used in over 19 countries by teachers, coaches, cycling clubs, youth organizations, law enforcement agencies, and parents. The Sprockids Program was designed with input from; educators, national level coaches, trail builders, professional athletes, and program implementation consultants.
Sprockids is based on the following principles:
A fun way to develop a taste for cycling through cycling games and activities that are facilitated by a competent rider.
The needs of young people to seek strong sensations and to discover new ways to play, while developing personality.
Recognition of achievements of individual skills and group participation through the Sprockids Passport of Accomplishment.
Sprockids program teaches:
How to mountain bike
How to maintain your bike
Environmental stewardship
Trail safety and trail building
Skill Levels
Run Biker
For who: all level run bikers
Will focus on: Learning balance, gliding, riding as a group, riding in a line, space between riders, braking with their feet, trail etiquette and listening to instructions.
Transition from run bike to pedal bike
For who: Kids will learn to ride with two feet on the pedals. To help your child transition, if you have a bike with pedals that your child has and can reach the ground while sitting on their seat please remove the pedals off. This will help him transition a lot easier. (bring the pedals with you)
Will focus on: Balance and control on a bike, controlled use of brakes (feet) or if kids have pedals on their bikes or hand brakes, looking ahead, Riding as a group, understanding basic components of their bikes, trail etiquette.
Beginner to intermediate rider
For who: Kids that have limited mileage on city streets and paved bike paths, not a lot of experience on a mountain bike, not a lot of experience on terrain such as dirt roads, man-made gravel bike trails and bike park
Will focus on: Balance and control on a bike, controlled use of brakes, shifting into higher and lower gears (if applicable), looking ahead, riding as a group, getting on/off bikes safely on different terrain and slopes, pedaling over small obstacles (ie roots/branches), body positioning on different terrain and slopes, being able to ride comfortably and confidently on even grade dirt trails, understanding basic components of their bikes, trail etiquette.
INTERMEDIATE RIDERS
For who: Kids that are comfortable riding a geared mountain bike (bikes with gears and hand brakes are more suitable at this level), have experience on terrain such as dirt roads, man-made gravel bike trails and/or bike par, are comfortable at slower speeds on blue trails with roots and loose rock, are comfortable on single track and flow trails (Totally Lost, Cougar Ridge, Flow Master)
Will focus on: Balance and control on a bike, controlled use of brakes, changing gears comfortably to suit terrain and slope, looking ahead and around corners, riding as a group, getting on/off bikes safely on different terrain and slopes, pedaling over small and medium-sized obstacles (ie roots/branches), body positioning on different terrain and slopes, Riding skills: climbing, descending, rolling off small drops (ie. curb), being able to ride comfortably and confidently on even grade dirt trails, understanding basic components of their bikes and knowing how to do a pre-ride check (tires, brakes, seat height, helmet).
ADVANCED RIDERS
For who: Kids with experienced riding a geared mountain bike in a bike park (4+ years), are comfortable on all green and most blue technical single track and flow trails with jumps and drops, are able to ride smoothly and retain balance on steeper and rougher terrain, are able to change gears and brake comfortably at higher speeds and on steeper and rougher terrain, are working on improving riding techniques
Will focus on: Advanced balance and control on a bike, controlled use of brakes on different terrain, slopes and features, cornering at higher speeds, body positioning on different terrain, slopes and features, riding technical terrain features, develop your skills and experience levels with the added safety of having a guide to coach you on the finesse and timing required at more advanced levels of riding.
ADVANCED TO EXTREME RIDERS (full face required)
For who: Kids with experienced riding a geared mountain bike in a bike park (5+ years), are comfortable on all blue technical single track and flow trails with gapping the big jumps and drops, that have some experience on black technical trails and flow trails with big jumps and drops, are able to ride smoothly and retain balance on steeper and rougher terrain, are able to change gears and brake comfortably at higher speeds and on steeper and rougher terrain, are working on improving riding techniques and fundamentals.
Will focus on: Advanced balance and control on a bike, controlled use of brakes on different terrain, slopes and features, cornering at higher speeds, body positioning on different terrain, slopes and features, riding technical terrain features, develop your skills and experience levels with the added safety of having a guide to coach you on the finesse and timing required at more advanced levels of riding.
“... I wasn’t sure what to expect going in with a kid on a run bike. But WOW, you blew my socks off! The energy and buzz, amazing number of coaches and kids involved utilizing the Mountain Bike Park was incredible... Well done, a huge kudos to all the volunteers involved!”
“A big shout out to the Sprockids Program! I finally succumbed to the pressures of my kids (who wanted to go to bike school!) and enrolled them midway through the program. They love it - and only after attending one night! My 4-year old’s riding enthusiasm has grown so much after her 1st lesson. She has been on her bike way more and even taking on Flow Master (although we walk the steep parts). Thanks for a great program!”