Primary school kids mountain biking

[Rolling Stone]

Can anyone tell me where we can find mtb races for primary school kids in Gauteng

My kid, 7 years old takes part in the shorter mtb races, but there is no recognition for the smaller kids.

There are also very few kids under 10 years old that do. These races. I know that there is a high school league in Gauteng, but can not find anything for primary school kids. Surely they need to develop from that age if we want to see some future champs in the making.

[TheKaiser]

The Babbas Lodge races north of Pretoria usually cater for quite a few race distances if I remember correctly.... Not too technical or difficult either. Pretty decent option I reckon.

[The MTBer]

I know the USN have a 10km for kids

[Ryan's dad]

There is one next weekend 8 June , Beaulieu prep school is hosting.

Www.bps-mtb.co.za to enter.

Also try the spur schools mtb series, not sure but think its high school only?

Edited May 31, 2014 by Ryan's dad

[Gen]

There is one next weekend 8 June , Beaulieu prep school is hosting.

Www.bps-mob.co.za to enter.

Also try the spur schools mtb series, not sure but think its high school only?

 

I know around here inly high school kids race.. but some of the spur events have a fun ride for the primary school kids

[porqui]

Can anyone tell me where we can find mtb races for primary school kids in Gauteng My kid, 7 years old takes part in the shorter mtb races, but there is no recognition for the smaller kids. There are also very few kids under 10 years old that do. These races. I know that there is a high school league in Gauteng, but can not find anything for primary school kids. Surely they need to develop from that age if we want to see some future champs in the making.

 

Kids under the age of seven racing???? are you nuts - what happened about enjoying???

 

Who is competitive - the kids or us the parents????

 

BAN ALL racing under the age of ten!!!!!!

 

(FLAMEsuite at the ready !!)

 

We're CRAZY!!!

 

Recognition!!! - for what - BEATING his little buddy - I'm better than you!!

 

Teach them skills and to enjoy the outdoors.

 

Rant over

[Gen]

I'd go further and say no racing till 14..

 

I meant 14.. sorry. And then only to get them used to then concept of racing..

 

the body I don't think has developed enough to be racing serious at 14.. maybe from 16 then start training a little more seriously.

 

Freak all kids should do things cause they enjoy it not because mom or dad are yelling next to the course and telling them to go faster.

Edited May 31, 2014 by Gen

[NotSoBigBen]

To each his own but my wife wouldn't let my son race or go on training rides with us till he was 13. He went on to get provincial colours and lots of fun racing.

[Stretch]

 

Kids under the age of seven racing???? are you nuts - what happened about enjoying???

 

Who is competitive - the kids or us the parents????

 

BAN ALL racing under the age of ten!!!!!!

 

(FLAMEsuite at the ready !!)

 

We're CRAZY!!!

 

Recognition!!! - for what - BEATING his little buddy - I'm better than you!!

 

Teach them skills and to enjoy the outdoors

 

Rant over

I disagree... You can still be competitive and teach them the true principles of competition from an early age, like graceful defeat while still instilling a competitive spirit. How different is under tens cycling for position any different to under 8 soccer or hockey or rugby playing to win. I think this philosophy of everyone is a winner some people are trying to instill is bs... in the real world not everyone is a winner and the sooner you understand that AND learn how to deal with it WHILE still having fun the better

[Gen]

You run the risk of a kid getting completely demoralised if they don't achieve what the parents expect.. young kids do things cause it is fun.. I have seen so many overachieving young kids burn out by 14.

 

Nothing wrong with a competitive spirit. . My eldest son is very competitive, so we have to be very careful to make sure he doesn't take himself or what ever he does too seriously.

 

You get kids that go big from young and stand out above the rest.. eventually the field is even out later on.. then those kids battle to cope with loss once the other kids catch up in high school.

 

Imo it's all about balance.

 

 

[Gen]

I won't even go into what I think of primary school rugby mentality.

 

 

[Stretch]

You run the risk of a kid getting completely demoralised if they don't achieve what the parents expect.. young kids do things cause it is fun.. I have seen so many overachieving young kids burn out by 14.

But that's just poor parenting IMO. Why prejudice the parents that are doing it right for the sake of those that are doing it wrong. Look at GM... he was racing pewee motor bikes at 6 years old.. Or what about burry? He was doing the same... You think nino schurter was not competing at under 10 level? The point is.. As with anything in life there is a right way and a wrong way.. Some will excel and some wool burn out.. it's the way of the world.. But if we start preventing competition in youngsters in case of this then we may as well stop expecting our sports men and women to be internationally competitive

[Gen]

 

But that's just poor parenting IMO. Why prejudice the parents that are doing it right for the sake of those that are doing it wrong. Look at GM... he was racing pewee motor bikes at 6 years old.. Or what about burry? He was doing the same... You think nino schurter was not competing at under 10 level? The point is.. As with anything in life there is a right way and a wrong way.. Some will excel and some wool burn out.. it's the way of the world.. But if we start preventing competition in youngsters in case of this then we may as well stop expecting our sports men and women to be internationally competitive

 

That's why I say it's all about Balance.

 

 

[Rolling Stone]

The Babbas Lodge races north of Pretoria usually cater for quite a few race distances if I remember correctly.... Not too technical or difficult either. Pretty decent option I reckon.

Problem is that they only give recognition for under 12 . Kids need motivation, recognition.

Is a nice race and my son has done a couple.

The way that they set the course with couple of laps , you can let the kids ride on their own.

 

[Rolling Stone]

 

 

Kids under the age of seven racing???? are you nuts - what happened about enjoying???

 

Who is competitive - the kids or us the parents????

 

BAN ALL racing under the age of ten!!!!!!

 

(FLAMEsuite at the ready !!)

 

We're CRAZY!!!

 

Recognition!!! - for what - BEATING his little buddy - I'm better than you!!

 

Teach them skills and to enjoy the outdoors.

 

Rant over

So does your kid not do any sport, swimming, soccer anything .?

It is a sport like any other and you will find competitive parents everywhere.

But if the kid actually enjoys the sport you must try to keep them motivated and developing. At their own pace. I often ride with my son, but always let him ride in front, set the pace and decide how long or how far he wants to go.

Anything up to 20 km is a breeze for him. With the right bike and equipment of course.

[johanpre44]

Very heated discussion...

 

I have taken my son (almost 9) to do a couple of races (two 20kms with me), and he did two 10kms this year on his own.

 

I'm not the most competitive mountain biker (very average), but I like to teach my son what it is to keep on going even if it hurts a little (perseverance).

 

When it comes to motivation and recognition, the medal they get at the end of the race is fantastic (something to show the friends), even though its not winning anything.

 

As a parent, I think the best thing we can do is to recognize when our kids have done well and to be next to them and keep motivating them. I just love our almost 20km Northern Farms rides where my son takes the lead on the flats, and when he makes life hard for my wife (or just beating her up the hills).

 

When your kid is really good, you can take him for the 10km Advendurance Races (Trailseekers and MTN/Nissan series), he probably stands a real good chance of getting on the podium in his age category, but please let him decide if he wants to be on the podium or not. I know my kid isn't bothered with winning, but he loves taking part, that's good enough for me.

Edited May 31, 2014 by johanpre44