On Wednesday 9 April 2025, Sanctuary Point Skate Park was bursting with life as young riders, families, and community members gathered for Bike Blast — a free youth event celebrating Youth Week with skill-building, community connection, and a whole lot of fun.
Hosted by Firefly Bay and Basin with funding from Shoalhaven City Council, Bike Blast aimed to empower young people with mountain biking skills while bringing positive energy and attention to one of our most-used public spaces.
Skills, Speed & SCUM
The event began with a Welcome to Country, led by students from Sanctuary Point Public School, setting a respectful and inclusive tone for the afternoon. Music played in the background, thanks to the support of Music is a Verb, who generously lent their sound system for the event — adding to the vibrant, youth-friendly atmosphere.
After a short welcome, it was time to get riding! Over 20 young people aged between 5 and 14 took part in three rotating bike skills clinics run by local volunteer members of SCUM (South Coast United Mountainbikers). These dedicated young riders shared their knowledge and encouraged the next generation of cyclists to push their limits and stay safe on their bikes.
The clinics covered a range of mountain biking skills — including jumps, balance, cornering, and braking — all delivered in a supportive and energetic environment. Participants were grouped by age and ability, ensuring that everyone had a chance to learn at their own pace.
After the clinics, things got competitive with a fast-paced time trial, giving riders the chance to put their new skills to the test. Two stand-out riders — one junior and one senior — were crowned champions and each received a $50 voucher to Bikes at the Basin.
Fueled by Community Spirit
Firefly Bay and Basin oversaw the planning and delivery of the event, working with SCUM to design a program that was active, inclusive, and youth-focused. Sanctuary Point Community Pride was also on hand, cooking up a free BBQ that kept hungry riders and their families fueled throughout the afternoon.
The support from these community organisations, along with the energy of local volunteers, helped create a safe, welcoming space for young people to be active, meet others, and try something new.
More Than Just a Ride
Bike Blast is part of Firefly Bay and Basin’s broader commitment to youth engagement — meeting young people where they’re at, creating spaces for connection, and promoting safer, healthier communities. Events like these also feed into long-term community conversations about the future of local spaces, such as the ongoing push to revitalise the Basin View BMX track and support more inclusive recreation opportunities.
We were especially impressed by the older youth already using the skate park that afternoon. They stepped up as excellent role models — helping to set up without being asked, supporting younger riders, and even lending a hand during pack-up and clean-up. Their leadership and generosity helped set a positive tone for the whole event.
By the end of the afternoon, the skate park was full of smiles, high-fives, and proud riders — many of whom had never participated in a structured bike event before. For Firefly, the takeaway was clear: new skills, safer riders, and a renewed sense of pride in the park.
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Let’s keep building momentum — and keep those wheels turning!