July 31, 2008

Just a heads-up to those who were planning to make it out to this weekends camp in Kingston. The track hasn’t been completed so because of this, the camp is CANCELLED.
Sorry everyone, but have a good long weekend regardless.

July 29, 2008

Today was a wet one out here in BC; the weather didn’t work with us at all today. The track is in great shape but the rain just would not let up. However, we will be a go for tomorrow here in Ridge Meadows and will be doing the second day either on Friday or next week. If you want to come out for the day camp tomorrow then be at the track for 10am. Nick Goertzen will be my right hand man and will put on a great camp.

July 28, 2008

I will have a full write up about the camps from the past few days when I get a chance tomorrow. Right now I am rushing to pack up for the early flight I have out to Ridge Meadows in the morning. There is a chance of rain but I am already committed and we will make this camp work over the next few days.

I will have Nick Goertzen and Nick Benetti helping me with my riding and there will also be a few other guys coming out to help. There are still spots open for the camp, so if you want to get the track dialed in then I will see you in the morning.

July 27, 2008

Really disappointing day today, we drove out to Okotoks for the Expert camp and I only had 4 kids show up. I guess the kids are too good around here and don’t need coaching, thanks to those who did come out and support me. Its too bad as I had 5 trainers on hand.

Tomorrow is the make up day out in Airdrie and due to the low numbers I have decided to open it up to everyone. So if you have nothing to do tomorrow and you want to get some real coaching out in Airdrie then come on out. Camp will be 10am to 3pm.

July 25, 2008

I’m about to head to bed but before I go I thought I would update with the ‘goings-on.’ Yesterday, the Novice day in Airdrie, was postponed due to the rain the night before, the track was soaked. Next Monday, July 28th will be the make-up from 10am to 3:30pm again. Today was a gorgeous day out and the Intermediate/Expert camp went great, small turn out of kids but they all had a great time. The track is awesome and for those who didn’t come, you missed out.

Dillon Sweeney and Jeff Jacobson both rode a bit today for the first time in a while. Dillon broke his foot back in May and had a few pins and plates put in so today was a big day for him, he looked pretty good by the end of the day. Jeff who was in a car accident a few weeks ago was looking sore but really smooth as always.

Tomorrow will be the Beginner/Novice camp in Okotoks from 10 am to 3:30 pm. The camp is open to all kids in this skill levels. All you have to do is be there and sign up in the morning. See you tomorrow.

Here are a few pictures from today.

Jeff Jacobson

Future Olympian, Brett Seiders

July 24, 2008

Camp is still a go today! It rained a bit last night and its a little wet out there this morning but Airdries track can handle it. Its going to be a nice day so if we are delayed by an hour, oh well. See you today!

July 21, 2008

Our Pre-Olympic training camp here in California is now over. Saturday was the last day that we trained and both Sarah and Marc are burnt out! I’m extremely happy with what we achieved in our time here and on how far Marc and Sarah have come with their training. Now it’s time to rest for a few days before we begin our taper for the games, doesn’t seem so far away anymore. Sarah flew home last night and Marc and I will be here for a few more days. They go home for a few weeks until they fly out to Beijing on August 6, the same day that I fly out.

My two weeks at home will be all about camps. This week, I have a 2-day camp in Airdrie and then a 2-day in Okotoks. Both camps are split up into Beginner/Novice day and then a Intermediate/Expert day and I have been getting a few emails about what day would be better suited for your child. I think that if you are an Intermediate/Expert rider but are under 10 years, then the novice day would be better for you. I will push you according to your skills and you will get what you want out of the camp, but you’ll have more fun with the younger riders. Email me if you have any questions regarding this and remember that you don’t need to be a member of a club to do a camp, just show up and I will take care of you. For all those attending camps this week with me, I do prefer cash as payment and make sure to bring lots of water and a lunch.

My trainer for the next two camps will be Shane Clarke, Jeff Jacobson and Meg Frew will be helping me out with the Novice days. I will also have the CampCools Race team on hand to help me out with the Novice days. Aaron Lepp took a digger last week and separated his shoulder so he will be out of commission for sometime but will be around to help out.

This morning I drove up to Apple Valley, the home of SuperCross and had breakfast with the man himself, Bill Ryan. He gave me a tour of his new shop and storage warehouse for his entire SuperCross product. The line of bikes and quality of the complete bikes right out of the box is second to none. Check them out if you need a new ride, you won’t be disappointed.

Here are some photos from the Red Deer National last weekend and of Sarah’s hometown getting behind her.

Cole Wilson showing how little dudes can boost.

July 17, 2008

Here is an interview with Jr. World Champion, Sam Willoughby. He is one of the nicest kids you will meet and one of the fastest racers on the planet right now, and he is only 16. When I am in New Zealand and Australia doing my camps, Sam will be one of my trainers.

Name: Sam Willoughby

Age: 16

Where do you live? How is your riding scene?

I live in Adelaide Australia or A-Town, My riding scene is pretty good down here as I have a good group of local guys I shred with at the Local trails (which are awesome), pump track near my house and we have 4 good tracks with in 30minutes so I like riding here.

When did you start riding and how?

I started racing when I was 6 at the end of 1997. I got a letter in the school bulletin saying come and try at Happy Valley BMX club.

What have you accomplished since you started?

I have Won the World Title in 2008 as a first year Junior elite, W3 ‘06, W4 ‘03, 4x National champion (01,03,07,08), 8 Time state champion, 2008 doubled at the European Championships, Semi Final at Copenhagen Super cross are all main accomplishments to date.

Who do you train with?

When I am at home I train by myself and with Brian Kirkham at times. But I spend allot of time with Jared Graves he has helped me allot as far as a training partner is concerned. Except we live 18 hours by car away. So last year I spent the summer at his house, which was really good, and he comes down here when there are races on. So we push each other, then I train with Australian U/19 squad coached by Wade Bootes when we have camps etc.

What are your goals and plans for the next year, the future?

In the next year I wont to start to make some super cross finals, Win the Junior World, National and overall ranking titles again. But main I just want to gain as much experience as I can and learn as much as I can of different people to help achieve my major goal of getting to the 2012 Olympics and medaling.

Who do you ride for?

I ride for Yeti Cycles, Troy Lee Designs, Oakley, Shimano, Maxxis, SDG, Thomson, Chris King, Ogio, and ODI

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you?

A group of us last year went bowling or shot putting is what it turned into in Japan and we eventually got kicked out. With the language barrier one thing led to another and all of a sudden we where being accused of not having pass ports and sneaking into the country so we where in the police station try to explain to Japanese police officer we have pass ports and we are sorry for throwing bowling balls. After 5 hours Masa’s mum came and translated for us… But the funniest part was riding in the back of the cop car with Kama in the middle back seat me on the back right and a cop on the back left. And the whole ride Kama is lifting his legs and dropping fart bombs like you wouldn’t believe. Then saying ohhhhhh big onala (fart in Japanese) hahahaha

If you could go out to dinner with any 3 people, who would it be?

Jared Graves, Steven Cisar and Sam Hill

Super Cross or regular BMX Tracks? Super Cross

Any last words, people you want to thank, or talk crap about? Ha-ha

Thank you Ken Cools for this interview, thank you to my family, friends, sponsors, Jared Graves, Wade Bootes and anyone else who ahs helped me.

July 16, 2008

I’m doing my morning routine of sitting in a hotel lobby and going thru my inbox as much as I can. I have been getting inundated with emails from different media outlets around the world regarding the Olympics. It doesn’t really matter who interviews me or for what paper or radio station, I always get asked similar questions and this one comes up within the first 3 questions. ‘So how do you feel about training your sister’s competition?’ For the record, I’m extremely happy with the situation I’m currently in and know that my sister is being very well taken care of by her coach, Herve Krebs. I don’t get to train my sister but I do have an athlete that I am very excited about training and Samantha will always be my sister. Now that I’m the NZ coach I actually get to see and hang out with Samantha a lot more. In fact, she maybe moving into our house in NZ once we get there so she can ride for the winter and do camps with me.

Last night we session Redman’s back yard with DH.com and KY.com. It was a lot of fun to get to hangout with the boys but I don’t have a rideable bike and I wanted to ride the whole time. I do have my bike here but since I never ride anymore I lent out my wheels to Jimmy Brown who last week had some mechanical difficulties. Hopefully today I can bum a set off of someone to hit up the yard.

I won’t be doing a camp in Calgary like I hoped I would. Unfortunately, they have a coach doing their Novice training and are happy with that. If you’re a Calgary member then you are more than welcome to come to the camps in Okotoks and Airdrie, as these two camps are open for everyone. This will be the first time in the past 10 years that I won’t be teaching in Calgary, bummer!

I talked to Sam Willoughby and Sifiso Nhlapo this morning and both of them are going to do an interview for the site, so stay tuned!

Here are some pictures from yesterday.

Redman, Khalen Young, Sarah Walker, Marc Willers, Dale Holmes and Me.

July 15, 2008

The heat here in Temecula is crazy!! Today it’s a ridiculous 35° C (95° F)! I guess it’s a good thing though as it’s getting Marc and Sarah used to the heat that they’ll face in China, that’s the plan anyway. I did an early sprint session this morning with Sarah before the heat kicked in and Marc hit up the gym. Tonight we are meeting up with Khalen Young and Dale Holmes at Mike Redman’s to get in a session on his backyard track, should be fun. Redbones backyard is legendary and I used to hit it up all the time with Bubba back when I lived down here.

This morning, I found out that last week one of my Camp Cools trainers, Jeff Jacobson, got into a head on collision with a power pole. Thankfully he’s O.K with a few minor injuries but judging by these pictures, Jeff may not be with us right now if he hadn’t been wearing a seat belt. So make sure you buckle up!!!

Heres one of Jeff Shreddin in Kingston