A large contingent of Eastern Bay mountain bikers are set to tackle the country’s best at the upcoming National Mountain Bike Championships at Christchurch Adventure Park next month.

It’s the first time in several years that the Eastern Bay will have mountain bikers competing with 12 students from Whakatāne High School entered.

Team manager Mawera Karetai said her son, Jack Karetai-Barrett, came to her asking to compete in an enduro event and from there it expanded to a team heading south.
“In November last year, Jack asked me to help him find an enduro race to enter. We found out about the North Islands, and I asked him if any of his mates wanted to attend.

“We started the school holidays with two riders and by the end of the holidays we were driving across two carloads of boys to Rotorua to learn the trails.

“We had 14 boys compete which was one of the biggest teams and from one of the more unlikely communities. If one of them had a crash or a flat tyre or something you could guarantee a teammate would be there to help.”

Karetai said supporting the boys and their mountain bike journey had been incredibly rewarding.

“We’re thankful to Matt Fredericksen who has been coaching the boys every week with skills and fitness and we’re both excited to see how they all go at nationals.”

She said they had put in a lot of hard work to help raise funds and even held a quiz night on August 22 to raise some more funds.

“A lot of the boys have been out working to raise funds with Tio Oyster Farm and Whakatāne District Council paying the team to do some work to help raise funds. We’re thankful to everyone who has helped us fundraise for this trip.”

Karetai-Barrett is keeping his expectations simple.

“I would like to finish in the top half of the field for my enduro race and for my relay team to have a podium finish.

“It’s going to be so much fun, cool experiences for our whole team, I've ridden these trails before and they're lots of fun. Technical, rocky, steep goodness for us all.”

He said they’re a more experienced team than when they raced at the North Islands.

“We’re really proud to be representing Whakatāne High School and the Eastern Bay. People seemed really surprised that Whakatāne High School could field such a big team for the North Islands, imagine the surprise when we rock up in Christchurch in the Whakatāne High School van.”

He said he had always wanted to give racing a crack.

“Around a year ago, I asked mum to help find some mountain bike races to enter into and by the end of November we had a team of two. Then by the end of the summer holidays we were a team of 14.

“I'm really motivated to see my team do well and for all of us to ride our best ride. I'm really glad that we've got intermediate boys to train with us, and hopefully they'll join our team when they move into high school.”

Arran Dominic isn’t going down to Christchurch just to have fun.

“Hopefully I can win, but in all seriousness my main goal is to have fun with my mates and go shred but I won't say no to winning.

“I am expecting a very fun race as I really enjoy the terrain and mountain bike tracks of the South Island.”

Dominic is eager to get to Christchurch having missed the North Island’s due to a crash.

“I simply have a passion for mountain biking and riding with mates. I just love going out doing tricks and shredding with anyone else as passionate as me.”

Kalani Robinson hopes the team can come away with some very good placings at nationals.

Teammate Logan Jepson wants to go as fast as possible without crashing.

"I would like to place in the top half of the competition, which I'm expecting will be very tough as I am riding against the best in my age group from around the country. This will push me to do my best and give the competition a good go.”

His first competition race was the North Island’s, so he’s excited for Christchurch now knowing what a big race feels like.

“I am confident we can represent our school in a way which gives us a good reputation known for its positivity and good energy.”

Barkley Fort said he was expecting some tough competition in the races.
“I am also expecting an amazing bike park to ride in and it will be great to represent my school and community.”

The event will be held from October 7-10.