TORCA Mountain Bike Camps – Spring Session 2026
Camp Schedule
Spring Camp 1
May 11, 18, 25 & June 1
Mondays 5-7PM
Spring Camp 2
June 8, 15, 22, 29
Mondays 5-7PM
Locations:
Mundy Park and Riverside Forest, Coquitlam
626 Mariner Way, Coquitlam, BC V3C 5W8
East Parking Lot at Chilko Drive and Mariner Way
Camp Director:
Shawn Lam: [email protected]
Why Choose TORCA Mountain Bike Camps?
At TORCA, we don’t just run bike camps; we build mountain bikers. Our camps are designed by experts specifically for the unique terrain of the Tri-Cities. We are deeply rooted in this community, and every camp we run supports the local trails and talent that make our region a world-class riding destination.
What Makes Us Different?
1. Specialized Mountain Bike Training
While other camps may focus on general road or gravel riding, TORCA camps are dedicated exclusively to mountain biking. Our progressive curriculum—covering everything from Foundation & Flow to Mastering the Descent—ensures that riders are not just staying active, but are actively improving their skills in a safe, structured environment.
2. Deep Local Roots & Trail Stewardship
We aren’t just visitors on these trails; we are their stewards. Our camps directly support TORCA’s mission of advocacy, education, and trail maintenance. When your child joins a TORCA camp, they are learning from the very people who help build and protect the trails they ride.
3. Mentorship from Local Youth & Experts
We are proud to provide a unique Youth Employment and Mentorship Program. We hire local teens and young adults as coaches, providing them with professional opportunities in their own backyard. These local role models provide inspiring mentorship for our younger “Shredders,” creating a community cycle of learning and growth.
4. Unmatched Safety & Professional Oversight
Your child’s safety is our top priority. Our 2025 pilot program saw zero noteworthy injuries across 11 camps, thanks to our industry-leading coach-to-rider ratios (as low as 1:4 for youth coaches) and strict professional oversight. Every camp is supervised by an adult lead (19+) and all coaches have professional certifications from PMBIA, GSMBC, or Cycling BC.
5. Dynamic, Skill-Based Groups
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all coaching. Our Dynamic Skill-Based Grouping Model allows us to move riders between groups in real-time based on their current skill and fitness levels. This ensures every participant is appropriately challenged and progressing at their own pace.
But you don’t have to take our word for it, here is what one of our parents had to say:
Olivia was so proud to show off her new skills to her dad this weekend! I can’t wait to ride with her too. She loved the session last week so much that she is registering for a second week!
Joomin Yeom, TORCA member and Parent
Mini Shredders (Ages 4-5) – Mountain Biking Adventure!
Calling all tiny trailblazers! Get ready to roll with Mini Shredders, a high-energy program designed for 4-5 year-olds eager to start their mountain biking journey! This fun-filled adventure helps young riders build confidence on two wheels, mastering basic bike skills and exploring the thrill of off-road riding with a big smile!
Skills Focus:
Pedal Power: Learning to pedal smoothly and confidently on uneven surfaces like gravel and dirt trails.
Brake with Ease: Practicing gentle braking to stop safely and control speed.
Steering Stars: Guiding the bike around simple turns and small obstacles with ease.
Balance Buddies: Building balance to ride over small bumps or uneven patches while staying steady.
Trail Ready: Learning basic trail safety rules and how to stay aware of their surroundings.
Listen and Ride: Following simple instructions from coaches to learn skills and have fun.
The Mini Shredders Camp participants will ride gravel trails at Mundy Park and the Mundy Park Bike Skills Park.
Mini Shredders must be able to pedal on terrain like grass or gravel, without assistance. They should feel confident riding a bike, stopping with brakes, and riding while standing up. Experience on inclines, declines, and small obstacles is a plus but not required. This program is perfect for 4-5 year-olds already experienced riding pedal bikes independently, who are ready to explore easy, fun trails, in a safe environment.
Little Shredders (Ages 6-8) – Mountain Biking Adventure!
Calling all young mountain bikers! Get ready to shred the trails with Little Shredders! This high-energy program is designed for kids aged 6-8 eager to level-up their mountain biking skills. From mastering pedaling and balance to confidently tackling easy singletrack, your young rider will explore the thrill of off-road biking while having a blast on two wheels!
Skills Focus:
Day 1 – Foundation & Flow: Balance, Braking, and Body Position
Day 2 – Navigating Obstacles: Rolls, Up/Down Curbs, Skinnies, and Drops
Day 3: Conquering the Ascent: Climbing
Day 4: Mastering the Descent: Technical Descent and Line Selection
The Little Shredders Camp participants will ride singletrack trails at Mundy Park & Riverview Forest and the Mundy Park Bike Skills Park.
Little Shredders must be able to pedal on uneven terrain without assistance. They should be comfortable riding up and down singletrack trails and rolling over small rocks and roots while standing up on their pedals for descents. Riders should feel confident using brakes and changing gears.
Big Shredders (Ages 9-13) – Mountain Biking Adventure!
Calling all aspiring mountain biking legends! Get ready to conquer the trails with Big Shredders! This dynamic program is crafted for kids aged 9-13 who are ready to elevate their mountain biking prowess. From mastering advanced braking techniques and efficient gear changes to confidently tackling more challenging singletrack features, your young rider will embrace the thrill of off-road exploration and build lasting skills on two wheels!
Skills Focus:
Day 1 – Foundation & Flow: Balance, Braking, and Body Position
Day 2 – Navigating Obstacles: Rolls, Up/Down Curbs, Skinnies, and Drops
Day 3: Conquering the Ascent: Climbing
Day 4: Mastering the Descent: Technical Descent and Line Selection
The Big Shredders Camp participants will ride singletrack trails at Riverview Forest and the Mundy Park Bike Skills Park.
Big Shredders the progression moves away from basic mechanics and toward technical mastery, stamina, and trail flow. At this level, the goal is to transform a cyclist who can roll over rocks and roots, stand-up on their pedals for descents, and who is proficient with their braking and gear selection into a mountain biker who can read the terrain and ride with intention.
| Assess Your Youth Riding Levels Is your young rider ready to roll? An assessment will be performed on the first day of camp and riders may be moved to a different camp to better match their riding and physical level. If you have questions or requests, please feel free to reach out to the Camp Director at any time. Bike & Safety Gear Requirements: TORCA Mountain Bike Camps are all about shredding trails safely and confidently! Riders must have a properly fitted mountain bike with knobby tires and hand brakes. Avoid big-box store bikes, as their heavy steel frames and non-standard parts are tough to ride, maintain, and repair. Visit your local bike shop or consult coaches for sizing help. Recommended Bike Features: Brakes: Front and rear disc brakes help the rider keep control. Pedal brakes are to be avoided. Gears: Multiple gears are better than one and the wider the range the better. Tires: Wide knobby tires help with traction up and stopping while descending. Seat post: A quick-release or dropper seat post makes for easy saddle height adjustments (up for climbing, down for descending). Suspension: Front suspension is required for Big Shredders and can be very helpful for Little Shredders who are more advanced riders. Rear suspension is encourage for Big Shredders but not required. Mandatory Safety Gear: Bike helmet. The helmet should sit level on the head and not tilted back or forward. Half-shell helmets are preferred over full-face models because they can get too hot and then the rider will want to remove it every time they stop. Closed-toe shoes. Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Water and a snack for every ride. Gloves, Knee pads, and Elbow pads are encouraged but not required. Safety First: Before each session, bikes undergo a mandatory safety check. Riders with unsafe bikes cannot participate to ensure everyone’s safety and fun. Coaches are trained in Emergency First Aid CPR/AED Level C and carry a first aid kit. Expert Coaching Your young shredder will learn from the best! All TORCA Youth Coaches are certified mountain bike instructors, ensuring top-notch guidance in bike handling, trail skills, and safety. With their expertise, your rider will build confidence and skills in a fun, supportive environment. |
Bike Sizing Advice
Kid’s bikes are sized by the tire diameter with 16″, 20″, and 24″ tires being suitable for most 4-10 year olds.
Consult the chart below for some general recommendations but these vary by manufacturer make, model, and year and the height of each rider.
For trail riding the seat should be raised so when the pedal is at the bottom, there is only a slight bend in the knee. The rider should then be able to reach the ground with a flat foot for beginner riders and tip toes as riders gain more confidence. When the rider reaches the handlebars, there should be a slight bend in the elbows.
Bikes with bigger wheels are easier to ride on the trails and over obstacles so as soon as a rider is big enough to move up to the next size, they should. A rider that is on the taller end of a bike range will be more wobbly and have a harder time rolling over obstacles on a bike that is too small for them.
Electric bikes are not permitted at TORCA bike camps.
| Wheel/Frame Size | Age | Height |
| 16″ | 4-5 | 3’5″ – 3’10” or 104 – 117 cm |
| 20″ | 5-8 | 3’10” – 4’5″ or 117 – 135 cm |
| 24″ | 7-10 | 4’5″ – 4’9″ or 135 – 145 cm |
| 26″ XS or S | 4’9″ or 145cm and above | |
| 27.5″ XXS-S | 4’9″ or 145cm and above | |
| 29″ XS-S | 5’2″ or 155cm and above |
Bikes that have similar components and features to the ones below are recommended at the TORCA Mountain Bike Camps
