Engaging young people to be active with dirtskool initiative

dirtsKool is the adrenaline pumping, active based learning initiative which is getting Wellington students out and about on our local mountain bike trails.

The first ever school-based initiative of its type, thanks to funding from Nuku Ora’s Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa and support from Healthy Families Hutt Valley, dirtsKool is an innovative way to support students who may not be fully engaged in traditional education, to be active and learn important life skills through mountain biking.

Based in Wainuiomata, Waiu Park is a world-class and ever-expanding network of trails suitable for all skills and age levels. The park is opening up a whole new area of sport and leisure opportunities for young people.

dirtsKool provides students with quality mountain bikes and experienced mountain bike instructors teaching them the fundamentals of mountain biking and bike safety skills as well as teaching and sharing other knowledge and expertise.

Wainuiomata High School was one of the first schools to take up the opportunity to be a part of dirtsKool and is already seeing the benefits of student participation.

Wainuiomata High School Dean, Matt Wood says “The students that join in the initiative each week are learning a variety of skills spanning bike mechanics and building and maintaining trails as well as life-long skills including trail etiquette, dealing with challenges and being part of a team.”

“Skills learnt on the trails are qualities that can be taken away from the sport and applied throughout all facets of their lives – in the classroom, at home and in the community.”

Founder and Director of Biketec Simon Gilbert who has been involved in cycle training with primary and secondary schools for over five years says “Mountain biking is a fast-growing leisure and sporting activity and a real skill to learn. dirtsKool concentrates on the how to’s and the fun of riding in the bush and out on the trails”.

dirtsKool is powered by BikeTec and is provided free of charge for high school students. If you or your school is interested in finding out more or signing up visit https://www.biketec.org.nz/dirtskool