15 boys and 7 girls were chosen to attend by their respective clubs, Southern Highlands Cycling Club and Canberra Off Road Cyclists. Southern Highlands riders taking part included Ella Scanlon-Bloor, Zoe Binder, Josh Cunneen, Josh Sell, Jamie Sell, Peter McKellar-Stewart, Will Orchard, Bryce Clarke, Robert Kell, and Josh Higson and Harry Herne.

The two day camp provided an opportunity for young riders to meet and ride with some of Australia’s top mountain bikers for one weekend. Elite riders Niki Fisher, Jenni King, Shaun Lewis and Dylan Cooper provided coaching on a range of skills essential to junior mountain bikers.

Indoor sessions covered bike fit, core stability exercises, nutrition, training schedules, race preparation, and bike maintenance. Riders then took to the trails at Bruce Ridge and Majura Pines to practise skills such as climbing, cornering, descending and jumping over logs.

“I liked the way the coaches watched each of us individually and picked up problems and gave examples of the correct way to do things” said Peter McKellar-Stewart.

Robert Kell added: “I wanted to develop my skills more and this camp helped me achieve that.”

The training camp was funded by the James Williamson Enduro Fund, named in honour of the late James Williamson, who grew up in the Southern Highlands and became an Australian and World Champion in 24 hour solo mountain biking. When James died in March 2010, his family and friends felt it was important to keep James’ spirit alive. The James Williamson Enduro Fund and James Williamson Development Camp have been set up to achieve this.

The fund has been created from income generated by the annual mountain bike race called the James Williamson Enduro Challenge. The next race will be held at Wingello in NSW on 11th March 2012.

Further details are available at www.jameswilliamson.com.au. See the Gallery for images of the camp or view them on our Picassa album.