Club Training Sessions
Every Saturday. For anyone that can ride a bike.
So long as you can ride a bike, then you can attend a Hawks training session. We ask everyone to start in the Beginner’s session on their first visit, so that we can assess your ability and ensure that you’re placed in the correct group for your skill level the next time you come.
Qualified BMX Coaches.
Our training sessions are lead by our Head Coach, Mark Seaman. Mark is ably assisted by another two Level 2 BMX British Cycling Qualified Coaches, Mark and Sean.
In addition to those coaches, riders from our Expert groups assist in the training sessions that younger, and less experienced riders take part in.
Booking Onto A Session
During their first session, any new rider will be placed in a group where they can be assessed so that we can put them into the appropriate group for their skill level. The club runs 4 levels of training session - see the details of those sessions below. Session fees are described in a section at the end of this page.
We manage all our session booking through an App called Spond. In order to be able to book onto a session, we need to add you to the club’s Spond membership database.
To get added to our Spond membership, please fill out the Hawks Spond Membership form for each rider that wishes to attend.
Rider Development Pathway
We run 4 training sessions aimed at different levels of rider, to cater for all capabilities. Riders progress from one level to the next, following the club’s Rider Development Pathway.
The Rider Development Pathway document can be downloaded in PDF format, here.
The club’s rider development pathway is intended to help riders progress towards being able to compete in the sport of BMX racing. The club’s pathway is also intended to mirror those competencies that are set out in the British Cycling Talent Development Pathway. BMX Racing is an Olympic Sport. The British Cycling Development Pathway defines the key skills and core competencies that a rider needs to develop towards becoming an Olympic athlete.
Requirement Level to Progress
Complete 1 full lap from the top of the start hill (no gate) without stopping, whilst standing up.
Start and stop on command, safely.
Attend a minimum of 4 consecutive sessions
Demonstrate an understanding of ‘pumping’.
Areas Covered
Basics of riding a BMX race bike
Track behaviour – the Do’s and Don’t’s
Controlled riding – starting & stopping safely
Pedal positioning & introduction to ‘pumping’
Beginners
For riders with little or no experience of BMX bikes, tracks or racing. ALL riders who attend training for the first time will start in this group and must be able to pedal, standing up, without assistance.
Requirement Level to Progress
Perform balanced gate starts, standing up.
Jump onto & gain distance on the table top
Understand & perform the high/low & low/high
Race in small groups demonstrating race lines.
Perform basic front & rear wheel lifts
Developed’ pumping’ to maintain speed on 3rd straight.
Have competed in their first race.
Areas Covered
Basic Start Gate Technique
Cornering – pedal, head & bike positioning
Small group riding & race tactics
Introduction to jumping technique
Front & rear wheel lifts
Novices
For riders working towards entering their first race.
Requirement Level to Progress
Regularly attending training and skills sessions.
Competing regularly at Regional level.
Manual the whole of the last straight, including a double manual on the last.
Consistently jump 1st & 3rd on the last straight in a safe and controlled manner.
Consistently perform, at least, one manual on 3rd straight.
Work on flat skills and fitness away from Hawks training sessions.
Perform a flat manual and wheelie over a short distance.
Regularly perform correct bunny hop technique over a small obstacle.
Areas Covered
Introduction to periodised training – Pre, During & Post-season training.
Jumping technique
Manuals (on & off the track)
Bunny hops & wheelies
Race and sprinting speed
Linking obstacles
Laptime improvement
Developing fitness & stamina
Refined Gate Technique
Advanced race tactics
Preparing & entering Regional races at expert level.
Intermediates
For riders with a year (or so) experience who have a solid skill level. Intermediate riders will have competed in some races and be looking to improve and progress in South Region BMX races.
Experts
The club’s highest level training group for riders with a number of years’ experience of riding and racing, and those with advanced skill levels. Most Expert riders will be competing at National level and beyond.
Riders will be following a pre-planned, periodised training plan of Pre, During and Off-season training.
Riders should be able to produce flat skills and sprints to current RSR requirements:
60m sprint under 6.75s males/7s females
Pedal wheelie – 20m males/5m females
Flat manual – 15m males/5m females
Bunny hop height – 45cm males/25cm females
Bunny hop distance – 2.5m males/ 1m females
Working on jumping the 1st and 2nd straights.
Working on advanced jumping and manualing combinations on 3rd and 4th straights.
Continued progress of general race speed and race tactics.
Continued development of Gate Start technique.
Mental approach to racing and riding.
Reflecting on recent races and areas of personal development.
Riders will be working on their fitness and flat skills away from training sessions.
Willing to push their own boundaries and comfort zones.
Session Fees
Session fees are determined by two factors. Firstly, they are determined by whether you are a Hayes Hawks BMX Club member. Our membership is handled by British Cycling, since we are an affiliated club. Secondly, the fees you pay are also affected by which level of training session you attend - the Intermediates and Experts classes last longer than the Beginners and Novice ones, and so they cost a little more.
Beginner and Novice sessions cost £12 for non-members, £10 for members.
Intermediate and Expert sessions cost £15 for members, and £12 for non-members.
Club Membership
You can optionally become a Hawks Club Member. Membership gives a small discount, of £2 and £3 respectively for the Beginner and Novice sessions and the Intermediate and Expert sessions.
To become a Hayes Hawks BMX Club member, please visit our British Cycling Accredited Membership page.
