High school hosts first official BMX race

Local high school students were tearing up the dirt, slamming into mud and jumping in the air as part of the first-ever high school BMX race Tuesday afternoon.

More than 100 students took part in the race at the Jumbo Gardens BMX Park. Westgate assistant cycling coach Malcolm Downey said the turnout was better than expected and so far the students couldn’t be happier with the sport.

"Since this is a new sport to Thunder Bay, and a growing sport around the world, we thought we’d introduce it to the kids," Downey said.

Participants left the track, some covered in mud with smiles on their faces, saying they wished they could race again. Downey said that attitude was also evident during the five practices held before Tuesday’s race.

"They just love it we have to rip them off the track afterwards," he said.

Thunder Bay is the first city in the province to introduce the growing sport of BMX into its high school sports system. Traditionally the high school cycling season has road and mountain bike races, but BMX racers weren’t included.

Since the turnout Tuesday was the best of all races so far this season in any discipline, Downey said he expects the sport to catch on.

"And now they can be part of the school race system," he said. "Hopefully this will turn into a main stop in the SSSAA circuit."

St. Ignatius’ Grade 10 student Kyle Veitch has been racing and dirt-jumping at the track for three years now but he hadn’t raced officially until Tuesday. Veitch, who dominated his race, said he believes every one of his friends is enjoying the experience.

"It’s a great thing to do in high school and just have fun," Veitch said. "I’m going to do it again next year."