The WFMBike acknowledges that we are operating on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory, situated within the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation. We honour and respect the people, the territory, and the land that houses our event location.

Camp Loops is the newest innovation from the team at Women's Freeride Movement (WFMBike) and was successfully executed over 2.5 days at the home of freeride, Kamloops Bike Ranch. 30 riders took part varying from 8 years old to 30+ with a wide range of skill but same common goal of progressing. They were coached by an all-star line up of coaches Casey Brown, Georgia Astle, Harriet Burbidge-Smith, Claire Buchar, and Sarah Walter.

Saturday morning before we load up with Mostly Mental Shuttles and the stoke is high!!

Camp Loops was designed to help women, girls, and future athletes become confident in all types of terrain, while jumping and executing tricks. Participant enjoyed the desert-like terrain that Kamloops Bike Ranch has to offer, similar to terrain that their heroes ride when competing in events such as Proving Grounds, Freeride Fiesta and Red Bull Formation. The goal was to inspire the next generation in freeride.

The whole weekend was about setting goals and achieving them. The shark fin was first on the list!

Day 1 - Sports Psychology Session
Crispin Lipscomb, former Olympic Snowboarder and now head coach of Freestyle Snowboard program at Silverstar, kick started the camp at District Bicycles by giving a sports psychology talk on goal setting, concepts such as fear, smart goals, and ideal performance state. The ladies were gripped by his presentation and there was lots of discussion around why we feel fear when trying something new, different levels of fear, and how to make ourselves balanced athletes. These tools are not just for the up and coming athletes, but for everyone looking for trail domination!

Olympian Crispin Lipscomb share his knowledge on fear management, pressure, and goals setting. Giving the ladies tools for the weekend, to have a safe, progressive time at Camp Loops.

Day 2 - Bike Ranch, Airbag and Trampoline session
The 30 riders were divided into groups of 5, based on ability and their overall goals of what they want to achieve as athletes. We all started with shuttle laps by Mostly Mental, to get into the groove and get those who were not familiar with Kamloops dirt, accustomed to it. Conditions were perfect from the previous day’s rain, the sun was out and the stoke was high!

Everyone was super stoked to hang out with Casey Brown, freeride queen and inspiration to us all!!

The morning session continued with the groups working on different elements at the Bike Ranch, varying from classic freeride lines, through to learning how to drop on the various skills lines available.

Brooklyn Bell worked on her whips for the weekend, and I’ve seen her around Whistler since, and shes got them dialled now!!

After a quick lunch break in the sun, the airbag session was on. The girls had to pedal out of the truck (a unique experience in itself) and were throwing down on the airbag. It was incredible to watch the confidence and progression happen in the space of 2 hours. Girls went from being scared to hit the airbag to throwing no handers and one footers in such a short space of time. The coaches were on hand giving tips and assisting through the progression phases.

Noelle Floyd on her way to checking off the backflip on the airbag.

One highlight was Noelle Floyd who threw her first backflip on a dirt jump bike. Previously, she had never attempted one, but under Harriet's coaching, she felt inspired and confident to give one a go. Everyone was so amped when she successfully got one around on only her third attempt!

Harriet Burbidge-Smith bringing the style, while teaching the ladies!

After a two hour break, we all headed to the trampoline park to learn spatial awareness and be coached by Brittany Falconer on backflips. It was incredibly fun and Brittany 1:1 coached those who wanted to learn backflips by breaking it down to basics. From backwards rolls and drops on the trampolines, through to spotting, and the feeling of throwing backflip. She helped over 5+ girls do a backflip for the first time on a trampoline, such an incredible feat!

Brittany Falconer teaching Georgia Astle the backflip progression at our trampoline sesson.

One of those girls was Micayla Gatto, who is a seasoned professional. When asked about doing a backflip, she said she thought she'd never be able to do one. She hadn't considered giving it a try until Brittany broke it down and gave her the opportunity to learn and try.

Harriet with a tuck no on the tramp bike that Airhouse Nanaimo hooked us up with!! So rad!

Day 3 – Building on day two and putting down!
The morning brought rain and a few questions around if we would be able to ride the Ranch. Miraculously after one shuttle lap, it was apparent the Ranch was in prime condition and the rain hadn’t affected the dirt or jumps too much – we were on!

Hannah Bergemann made a guest appearance and tow some of the girls off the Fistful of Dollars drop.

The morning consisted of building on the previous day, more jumps, drops, and bigger lines. Some ladies were ticking off features on ‘Fist Full of Dollars’, which was amazing to witness.

Tayte Proulx-Royd was stoking evryone with her barspins and 360s!! This is the future!

Pizza and Airbag was on the menu for lunch, and from the get-go, the ladies were on a heater! Tayte Proulx Royds and Zoe Witwicki were throwing 3’s with style and conviction, while a lady train was playing the game ‘bike’ one upping each other with heel clickers, sui’s, and superwoman’s.

Coach Claire Buchar tire grab on the airbag. Coaches got to play too!

Jessamay Tippie throwing a one hander to the crowd, rocker styles!!

The camp was wrapped up with Hi-Fives, goodie bags, and smiles plastered over everyone's faces. For most, the opportunity to ride with their heros and learn from the best in the freeride game is something they'd never forget. The event was about creating space for female athletes, providing support, and stoke in an effort to create a standard for women working and riding in this field. It was nothing short of inspiring to see a huge participation and support from the wider community.

High Fives and big smiles!! This is why we do it!!

Congratulations to all involved, it was monumental! Bring on next year!

Candice Randle on the Fistful of dollars drop.

A huge thank you to our sponsors!
Jenson
Chromag
Ilabb
Coast Gravity Park
Air Rec Center
Mahalomydude
We Are One Composites
Airhouse Nanaimo

Crispin Lipscomb for the sports psychology talk,
Brittany Falconer for the trampoline session,

Airhouse Nanaimo for the tramp bike,
Mostly Mental shuttles for the ride,
District Bike Shop for shop support,

And Lisa Mason for organizing and running this weekend of progression.
Tourism Kamloops
Kamloops Bike Ranch
City of Kamloops for letting us operate in this beautiful setting.
Thanks to Dr. Heather Baroody-Adams, Nikki Way, and Phil Maclean for all their awesome help, support, and muscle power this weekend.

Photographers
Ronia Nash
Andrea Heath

Filmer
Michael Sousa

Party trains with Christina Cheung, Candice Randle, Natasha Frank!

Thanks to all the parents and friends who lent a hand during the weekend too, making everything roll nicely.
Special guest appearances by Micayla Gatto and Hannah Bergemann.

And thanks to Kelsey Timpany for writing this story. Photo captions by Lisa Mason

Follow us on Instagram @womensfreeridemovement

Women's Freeride Event recap Camp Loops