ZEP coaching philosophy
ZEP Racing is the youth development side of ZEP MTB camps. ZEP Racing was created to offer the local community professional, season long, mountain bike rider development programs.
The goal of ZEP Racing isn't to produce the next Finn Iles or Jesse Melamed. Instead, ZEP Racing is here to provide a safe pathway for kids to become the best riders they can be, through fun, professional coaching. The ZEP goal is to teach these kids how to ride better, smoother and faster, so they can ride smarter, cleaner and stay healthy to become mountain bikers for life.
If athletes in the program decide they want to take their skills and apply them to racing, the coaches will support that drive. Racing is an excellent tool to teach kids valuable life lessons. ZEP embraces racing and competition for these reasons. However, racing and results are not the primary goal.
Fun, progression, smart decision making, team work, social skills and work ethic, are the core teaching elements to ZEP programs.
The program
WORCA, in partnership with ZEP Racing, offers the Enduro Development Team focussed on skills and fitness training specifically targeting enduro riding and racing. The program is open to up to 12 select residents aged 13-16, priority to those living in Whistler, that are strong riders with a positive and coachable attitude.
Potential athletes should be comfortable with all black diamond and double black diamond trails in the Whistler valley trail network, and have a level of fitness and mindset that supports long days of trail riding (up to 35–40km) by early summer.
The commitment
Athletes are required to have a WORCA annual membership.
Invited athletes should commit to racing a minimum of 2 (two) enduro races this season (COVID dependent), with at least one ideally being a Canadian National Enduro Series race. Others may include races such as the Pemberton Endure, Squamish (Gryphon) Enduro, Crankworx EWS 80, etc.
Athletes are required to purchase a Whistler Bike Park Pass. This brings a greater diversity to the skills training, allowing sessions to run in both the Valley and Bike Park, insuring maximum fun and progression throughout the program.
Each youth must commit to attending at least 8 Toonie rides to positively represent WORCA and ZEP Racing in these community events. This will be a fun point of engagement for the youth.
The coaching
Coaching sessions will be two days per week by top PMBIA qualified coaches from the ZEP Racing staff team, with a focus on Enduro riding and racing. Coaching will be on advanced single-track trails in the Whistler Valley, as well as all trails included in the Bike Park, and even Pump Track sessions. If you can ride it on two wheels, the kids will be there!
Coaching will be after school during the school year and mid-day during summer holiday, with summer being full days of riding and/or mid-day ride followed by evening Bike Park session. Programming will also cover suspension set up, bike set up, and maintenance to keep gear top notch from our supporting shops - Evolution and Coastal Culture.
ZEP Coaches always maximize sessions for safety, risk management and skill progression, so the kids can build the skills without the spills.
The details
sPecifics
$2,295 + tax
Ages 13-16 yrs old
Max 6 riders per group
ZEP Coaching Sessions run May 16th - September 29th
22 x 2hr sessions (after school during school term)
18 x Full Day sessions (6hrs) Coaching Sessions
Coaching Monday & Wednesdays, Tuesday & Thursdays
Development of Enduro, XC, Bike Park, Pump Track, Dirt Jumps
HIghlights
40 Coaching Sessions
WORCA/ZEP Chromag Team kit
ZEP Race Team Hat
Opportunity to participate in Transition or Knolly Grassroots Team program
Support from Evolution Cycles and Coastal Culture
Support from Chromag Whistler
Bi-weekly & Monthly Progress Reports