WATCH: Out of the saddle and into the berms

• All ages and skill levels welcome
• Race track is open seven days a week

The starting gate drops at the sound of a buzzer, as BMX riders from the Kelowna BMX Club compete to be first to the finish line.

Racers take on the twists, berms, and jumps of the track, mustering all the speed they can for a chance to come out on top.

According to President, Tyrone Thompson, the club’s motto is ‘no one rides the bench.’

“Our sport is a very inclusive sport. So you could be brand new… and come ride casually, or some of our riders race at national circuits so they take it very competitively,” Thompson told Kelowna10.

COVID-19 has had an effect on the club’s ability to host a full schedule of events, but they are excited to be back at full capacity this year.

“We were fortunate over the last couple of years to still offer the sport, but this is the first year we’re back to a full schedule,” Thompson said.

The club had to implement social distancing rules and block racing, which was more of an inconvenience than a show stopper.

“What was actually harder was all the different regulations in different communities. It really did force most clubs to just ride local,” Thompson said.

He added being back to a full schedule also allows riders to go to other tracks in the Okanagan and throughout B.C.

“The track is open seven days a week to the community, so you can come and ride it at any time,” Thompson said.

According to him, BMX racing is one of the only sports he knows of where parents can race in the very same event that their kids do.

“It’s the very reason I do it. My daughter and I - this is what we do Mondays and Wednesdays. We ride together, [and] we train together,” Thompson said.

The family atmosphere at the track is apparent, with friends and parents always cheering on the participants.

“Everybodys always welcome, whether you’re new or coming from another city. I think that’s my favourite part, is there's one giant family no matter where you go in the BMX community.”

The BMX track is located on Dodd Road in Rutland.