It's not every day that kids get a chance to ride the trails with an Olympic athlete, but that was just the opportunity available to locals through the Future Stars cross country mountain bike camp this past weekend.
Two-time Olympian and Commonwealth games medallist Seamus McGrath led 14 young cyclists from all over the province on a three-day camp, teaching them how to become an elite athlete - both on and off the bike.
Team Squamish member Nicholas Bruce, who hails from Garibaldi Highlands, said it was a thrill to interact and learn from McGrath.
"It's been great," Bruce said. "I got to ask a lot of questions and just the chance to ride with him has been awesome. The whole weekend has been really well set-up."
Bruce said talking with McGrath has opened his eyes to just how much dedication it takes to become a top competitor in the world of cycling.
"He's really made it known to us how much work and commitment he has put into being a rider," he said. "The pros put in 40 hours a week, it's like a full-time job, he really made it clear to me that you need to focus solely on the sport if you want to be the best."
The camp started Friday (Oct. 8) with a three-hour ride at 10 a.m. The ride was followed by a lecture from 4 to 5 p.m. by McGrath at the Executive Suites Hotel in Garibaldi where McGrath answered questions and shared his story with camp attendees.
Bruce said he enjoyed the lecture part of the camp.
"The riding was fun but the lecture really gave me a lot of information," he said. "Seamus went over every aspect of racing, from exercises to nutrition, and answered any question we had - it was great."
The camp hit the trails again Saturday (Oct. 9) morning, then McGrath led the group through complimentary training at the Squamish Crossfit gym, teaching them stretches and exercises pertinent to the sport of cycling.
On Sunday (Oct. 10), the camp finished off with another ride in the morning. McGrath, who was hosting the camp for the first time, said the talent of the young people who attended amazed him.
"I'm just really impressed by the level of the riders who came to the camp," he said. "It's the first time I've worked with young people and there's really nothing stopping any of these kids from becoming great at this sport."
McGrath pointed out that the camp is a great opportunity for kids who want to excel in mountain biking.
"When I was a kid, I would just be so psyched to be able to ride with a professional and I think these kids felt the same way," he said.
"Everyone is hooting and hollering when we're riding and they just love to be on the trails. I really look forward to doing this camp again, it was a lot of fun."
George Short, the president of Future Stars Camps, was pleased with how the event turned out.
"I think the camp went really well," he said. "Particularly because it was the first time we've ever run something like this.
Short said McGrath did a tremendous job of running the camp and hopes to work with him again.
"The kids are just having a great time," he said. "Seamus is so good with the kids and we're excited to be moving forward with this."
Short pointed out that the group plans to run a similar camp in Whistler during the Victoria Day weekend in 2011 and host another camp in Squamish during Thanksgiving weekend next year.
"Just the enthusiasm from Seamus and these kids is so inspiring," Short said. "The kids just have so much energy - they can ride for four hours and still have energy left over. I think the thrill of working with and learning from an Olympic athlete helps with that."
Short also wanted to thank Squamish Crossfit and the Executive Suites Hotel in Garibaldi for their help with the camp.
For more information on Future Stars Camps, visit www.futurestarscamps.ca.
