Oct 27, 2011


Photo: Provincial BMX champion Brodie Young of Parham at a race in Kingston on Oct. 22, courtesy of Kelly Young

For 16-year-old Brodie Young of Parham, winning at what you love doing is not only doable, but also repeatable!

In September Brodie, a student at Sydenham High School, won the ABA Provincial BMX Championship for 16-year-olds at Track 2000 in Milton. It is the fifth year that he has taken home the provincial trophy in his age class - no easy feat, especially considering that he has been riding for only six years. Brodie is a passionate rider who likes nothing more than getting on his bike and honing his skills. The BMX season runs from May to November and Brodie gets in numerous practice runs and races at the Woodbine track in Kingston where he runs regular races there every Wednesday. As far as taking home the provincial title five out of the six years that he has entered the event, Brodie remains humble and feels that it is not so far-fetched given how much he loves to ride. “To be successful at something you have to really love doing it and I love racing, which is why I have had the success that I have had,” he said. He rides a Redline XXL flight series model and admits to having his share of close calls on tracks where riders can reach speeds of up to 50 km/hour and where they often face no fewer than 30 jumps on a single course. “If you ever make contact with a another rider, it can be pretty dangerous and I have had a couple of bad crashes.” In his relatively short career, Brodie has suffered a mild concussion and a dislocated shoulder, which he says is kind of par for the course. “Crashing can put a definite scare into you but my advice is to ride it off, keep going, and to not think too much about the negative.”

When the season ends, as it will in November, Brodie will hit the gym, where he does power fit classes to stay in shape. Part of his BMX success, he says, has been the ongoing support he receives from his parents and younger brother, Blake, 12, who is also a BMXer. “It sure helps having your family behind you every step of the way.” Brodie's Mom, Kelly, said she, her husband, and brother Blake attend all of his races and that though the sport can be nerve-wracking because of the dangers it poses, she is pleased to have a son who has a keen interest in something that he loves to do. “He loves it and is very good at it so I'm just happy for that.” As far as pursuing the sport in the future, Brodie intends to enter the provincial championships again next year as a 17-year-old. “After that, my plans are to just keep riding for as long as I can.” Brodie's advice to anyone thinking of taking up the sport: “Practise.”

 

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