Have a Go at BMX
BMX is for everyone, whatever your age or experience.
What is BMX racing?
BMX racing is fast, physical, and open to anyone with a bike and some nerve. Riders line up on a start gate, drop onto a purpose-built dirt track full of jumps, berms and straights, and race head-to-head over a lap usually done in under a minute. It’s one of the few motorsport-style disciplines where a four-year-old and a forty-year-old can genuinely be doing the same sport on the same afternoon.
Capital BMX is based at the south end of Ian Galloway Park, 91 Curtis Street, Wilton. We run a free, no-commitment way to try it — a Have-a-Go session — with everything loaned: bike, helmet, gloves. No racing licence, no BMX of your own, and no experience required.
Who can do it?
BMX doesn’t have a typical rider. Here’s where you’ll fit in.
Ages 4-7
There’s no minimum age. We’ve had two-year-olds on strider bikes, boosted over the rollers by a parent running alongside, and three- and four-year-olds riding the whole track solo. Loan bikes come in a full range of sizes, so whatever your child’s age or height, we’ll have something that fits. If you’re coming from mountainbiking and your little shredder is too young for WORD, bring them to us instead. There’s no minimum age at Capital BMX, and the skills they build early with us will carry straight across.
Junior & Teen
This is the traditional path into racing — starting with a Sprocket licence for 7 & under and moving up to age-group (8+; Island or Challenge) as skill and age progress. Come and race every Sunday club day, and come to BMX training on Thursday during daylight savings.
BMX also builds skills that carry straight across into other disciplines — many of today’s top Enduro and downhill MTB riders started on a BMX track, and six Capital riders podiumed in the Wellington Enduro series last season. Full licence detail is on the Membership page; race-day format and the points series information are on the Racing & Training page.
Girls & Women
We’d love to have more girls and women in the club. We have a female only 12 & over race class at our regular club days and we’ve run girls/women’s-only sessions before – twice with Revolve for a group Have-a-Go evening, and girls-only BMX training sessions with Caitlin Georgantas. If we can build up the numbers we’d love to make these a regular fixture rather than just occasionally. Follow our Facebook page to see when the next girls-only night is, or just come along anyway and show the boys how it’s done.
Adults
There’s no maximum age either — we love seeing mums and dads have a go, and club day has a genuinely competitive parents’ race class. Plenty of adults start purely to keep up with their kids and end up racing themselves.
Casual & MTB riders
Not every visit needs to be about racing. Outside club hours the track is free and open to the public, so you can ride at your own pace with no membership required (although we’d really appreciate a donation or associate membership subscription to help us maintain the track). Plenty of folk turn up on their own mountain bike to get a feel for the track first during Have-a-Go, and some switch to a BMX partway through the session once they notice how much lighter and faster it is, but plenty just ride their MTB and have a great time.
If there’s a group of MTB riders who want to race during our club day, we’re happy to add a “novelty class” to cover them.
FAQ
Where can I get a bike?
You don’t need to own a BMX to come try it out — we lend bikes for Have-a-Go sessions. Once you’re keen to keep coming, try the club’s rental fleet while you work out what size suits you — there’s a rough size guide. Ask around too: other members often know of a bike going spare, or post in the Facebook Members & Supporters group. The Facebook Buy/Sell/Exchange groups are also worth checking: BMX Racing NZ Buy Sell Or Swap and BMX Racing NZ Exchange.
Can I use my own bike, or a mountain bike?
Yes — bring your own bike to a Have-a-Go session if you’d like. We also have loan bikes in a range of sizes, so we’ll have something to suit you regardless. Some kids start on their own mountain bike to get a feel for the track, but often switch to a BMX mid-session once they notice how much lighter and faster it is.
What about helmets?
You’ll need a full-face helmet meeting ATSM standards for BMX racing, with a one-piece shell — removable chin bars aren’t allowed. We’d suggest buying new rather than second-hand. The club has Bell Sanction loan helmets so you can check your size before buying your own. Good options include the Bell Sanction 2 DLX MIPS, Fox Rampage, Leatt Gravity 4.0/5.0, or Troy Lee Designs D4.
Is a Have-a-Go session free? What do I need to bring?
Yes – Have-a-Go sessions are free. We’ll lend you a bike, a full-face helmet and gloves. Just wear long sleeves, long pants, closed shoes, and bring a smile. After 3 Have-a-Go sessions we’ll invite you to join the club.
Do I need a licence or membership to try it?
No – come along and for a few Have-a-Go sessions first, free, with loaned gear. After 3 sessions we’ll invite you to join, which includes club membership and a BMX NZ licence suited to your age and goals. Full membership costs and licence types are on the Membership page.
Is there a minimum age? What about grown-ups?
No minimum – we’ve had two-year-olds on strider bikes (with a fit parent running behind to boost them up the rollers) and 3-4 year-olds riding the whole track solo. No maximum either – we love seeing mums and dads have a go too. The kids enjoy showing you how it’s done, and club day has a competitive parents’ race class.
Do I need to stay, or can I just drop my child off?
Please plan to stay. Our Health & Safety policy requires an adult on site responsible for any rider aged 14 or under. If you can’t stay the whole session, arrange for another adult to take responsibility and let a club official know.
Do we need to come every week, or can we just turn up when we feel like it?
Come as often as suits you. Our regular club day is Sunday morning from 9.30am – all welcome. During daylight savings months, club members also have Training on Thursday afternoon/evening. Outside these times the track is free and open to the public, so casual visits are always welcome too.
Where are you based? Is there parking?
Capital BMX is at the south end of Ian Galloway Park, 91 Curtis Street. There’s a small carpark on the corner of Whitehead Road and Curtis Street – the track is accessed from the right, near the public toilets and dog park. If that carpark’s full, take Walworth Road (the next road north, off Curtis St) into the centre of Ian Galloway Park, park by the pavilion, and walk across the rugby fields to reach us.
I’m sticking around – how can I help out?
The club runs on volunteers. On the day, ask at the Admin container what’s needed – first aid, flag marshal, starter, call-up, commentator, BBQ, etc. There’s also track and grounds maintenance (lots of it!!). Help out and you can wear one of our highly sought after Capital BMX hi-vis vests!!
Got another question that we haven’t answered? Let us know about the Missing FAQ through the Contact Us form.
Book a Have-a-Go
You can fill in our Have-a-Go form ahead of time to let us know you’re coming, or just turn up on a Sunday at 9.30am and fill in your details at the track.
When you arrive, head to the Admin Container to sign in — then we’ll fit you out with a loan bike, full-face helmet and gloves from the Bike Container. We’ll start with a few laps around the cones near the finish line to get the hang of riding and cornering standing up on the pedals — the key skill in BMX — before heading out onto the track together, building up from the easier sections as you get more confident. Riders who progress quickly are welcome to stay on after Have-a-Go finishes and join the racing.
Ready to join?
After three Have-a-Go sessions, we’ll invite you to become a member – that’s when a BMX NZ licence and full track access kicks in. Head to Membership or click on the Join button for membership types and pricing.