MX racer (18) hosts camp for beginners
Megan aspires to host longer camps in the future where the track will be diversified with mountain ranges included
Motocross wheels spelt adrenaline in the red sand during a camp for juniors hosted by Megan Jonker (18) at the Erora MX Track during the recent school holidays.
Fifteen 15 pre-teens were shown the ropes during the five-day programme. The camp formed part of an initiative Jonker calls ‘Aspire to Inspire’, where she aims to train beginners in a line of techniques.
“Megan wishes to encourage more youngsters to participate in this sport,” her father Stefan told Express.
“It can be an expensive sport, but it doesn’t always have to be so. We have children who have very expensive bikes, and we have children who ride on second-hand bikes that do the same job at far less costly avenues.”
Each day’s programme lasted between five and six hours during which the children got three water breaks along with lunch.
“So we get up at 6am when the children start to kit up and have breakfast,” Megan said.
“On the Monday, I taught them about slow techniques, after which we did turns and take-offs from Tuesday to Thursday. On the Wednesday we mixed it up where I encouraged them to do the tracks that they’ve been doing the entire week with one arm behind their backs.”
When asked about the most important elements or techniques to follow on a dirt track, Megan said that footwork techniques were of critical importance in a race, as well as keeping the back bendy or flexible.
The fees for the camp covered the fuel costs for the attendees, daily track fees and food. Each child received a T-shirt and cap. In future, Megan aspires to host longer camps where the track will be diversified to include mountain ranges.
Stefan said the issue of finances were not always the deterring factor for parents to have their children participate in the sport, but also fear.
“Parents have a great fear, naturally, for their children getting hurt.”
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