Ōtautahi Christchurch
Kia ora Christchurch!
We’re coming for you…
After a successful year of piloting WORD programmes in 2022, we are ready to go BIG and fully launch Christchurch WORD in 2023! Ooooh yeah!
That means afterschool programmes in term 1 and 4, holiday camps in April & October and lots of extra goodies too.
We are so grateful to all our funders and supporters that have made it possible to move forward with Christchurch WORD. A special BIG shout out to the Rātā Foundation, the Sport Canterbury Tū Manawa fund and to all of you that have supported WORD along the way or cheered us on from the sidelines.
Read on for more about what we do, key dates for programmes and bookings and opportunities to work for WORD!
Stay in the loop by signing up for the WORD Christchurch Newsletter!
Follow us on social media - Facebook and Instagram.
Please get in touch with Katie, the Christchurch Programme Manager, if you have any questions in the meantime.
The team
it’s all about the people… and we’re so lucky to have an amazing bunch to make the magic happen. As with all all our WORD locations we’re proud to have gender equality across the team.
Joining Katie Adams, the Programme Manager, is our awesome team of Christchurch Instructors ready to go!
We are on the hunt for a part-time MTB Instructor Coordinator and some new MTB Instructors to join the crew.
Applications have now closed.
2023 Key dates
Christchurch WORD team recruitment: January
Term 1 Bookings open: Wednesday 25 January
Instructor Training Weekend: 11-12 February
Meet the instructor crew / Whānau ride: Sunday 19 February
Term 1 starts! 7 week after school programme: 20 Feb - 6 April, 4.30-6.30pm, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
April Holiday Camps: 10-21 April (schedule TBC)
May Sunday Sessions: 7, 14, 21, 28 May, 10am- 12pm
What we do
We are so excited about riding with you kids this term! Your little shredder is about to be part of the coolest thing in town- WORD! For those of you that are new to WORD, you are just going to love it…
The WORD Term runs for 7 weeks meeting once a week from 4.30-6.30pm. We split into groups based on abilities and head out for a ride!
We ride at various locations throughout the 7 week programme, depending on ages and abilities, eg. Halswell Quarry/ Crocodile Park, Christchurch Adventure Park, Port Hills, Bottle Lake Forest, McLeans Island.
Each week these groups focus on one or two new skills:
-MTB riding skill (ie. cornering, braking, fitness etc)
-MTB community skill (ie. trail building, bike maintenance)
-Life skill (ie. self confidence, kindness, helpfulness, etc)
What bike skills do we need?
If your child can ride a bike, we’ll teach them to rest! They will also need to be able to start and stop on their own. Each rider is placed in a group of kids of similar abilities so they can learn together (and make new friends!).
Still learning to ride? Yay! Check out our great friends at CycleSafe in Christchurch. They can help your child learn to ride!
Need a bike?
All participants will need to bring their own mountain bike to WORD. This bike doesn’t need to be anything flash… 2 working brakes and knobbly tires will do the trick. While we don’t have a fleet of bikes for you to borrow, we do work with some amazing organisations that do! Please let us know if you need a bike or get in touch with our buddies at Rad Bikes in Christchurch
Alternatively, check out the WORD Buy and Sell Bikes and Bike Bits Facebook group.
Thank you!
A massive thank you to all our funders, partners and supporters.
Sport Canterbury’s Tū Manawa Fund - to support more girls and young women to participate in mountain biking
The Rātā Foundation - to support our work in low decile schools and communities
Christchurch Single Track Club - for awesome trails to ride at Crocodile and support
Christchurch Adventure Park - for sweet trails and awesome discounted youth rates!
Other local clubs - Gravity Canterbury, Revolve, Canterbury MTB Club, North Canterbury Cycling Club
Forward Foundation - joint initiatives with girls and young women
RAD bikes - youth bike mechanic skills and workshops
Ground Effect Cycle Clothing - local bike gear and supporters!