Former Pro Mountain Bikers to Guest Coach at Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance’s 2-Day Skills Clinic

Issaquah, WA, June 26, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is hosting a 2-day skills clinic on Saturday and Sunday, July 13th -14th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at King County’s Duthie Hill Park in Issaquah, WA. The clinic will be taught by two special guest coaches – former professional mountain bike racers Kat Sweet of Sweetlines, and Simon Lawton of Fluidride – along with Evergreen’s own certified instructors.

This special clinic is suitable for mountain bikers of all skill levels from beginner to advanced; ages 14 and up. Participants will spend the weekend learning and practicing skills, and putting them to use on the trails. Groups will be divided by ability and every participant will get the chance to work with Kat & Simon. This clinic will happen rain or shine.

All Evergreen classes, including this special 2-day clinic, are open to the public. Participants must become members of Evergreen in order to register. Proceeds from this clinic will benefit the Evergreen Education Program and Evergreen's mission to protect, build and maintain trails for mountain biking statewide.

“In addition to Evergreen’s accomplished instructors we bring in professional guest coaches for this clinic each year to give riders a chance to experience a diversity of teaching and riding styles and techniques,” says Debbi Murray, Director of Evergreen’s Education Program. “This clinic is extremely popular and sells out every year; and it’s always exciting to see the participants’ skills improve and progress greatly!” Last year’s clinic featured guest coaches Kat Sweet and Shaums March.

Guest coach Kat Sweet, founder of Sweetlines, is a former pro downhill racer from Northern California who started riding 25 years ago and has never stopped. A Youth Program Manager for Cascade Bicycle Club and Trips for Kids, and a local mountain biking icon, Kat is known for her fun-filled kids' and womens' mountain bike programs. She is a Certified IMIC Level 3 coach and also trained by Blair Lombardi, and Endless Biking. Kat freelance teaches for Dirt Series, See Jane Jump, the Santa Cruz MTB Fest, Dixie Trix, and Queen of the Mountain. Kat likes to help others gain confidence, technique, and style in their riding.

Simon Lawton is the owner of Fluidride, and the creator of the Fluidride Teaching Method. Simon has been racing mountain bikes for over 20 years, with 16 years experience in the Pro Downhill ranks. During his career he’s had over 50 Pro podium finishes at regional events, a Silver and Bronze medal from the UCI Master’s Downhill World Championships, and a 13th place finish in Chile’s Valparaiso Cerro Abajo Urban Downhill (VCA). Simon has helped thousands of riders reach their riding, racing, and life goals.

The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance Education Program was founded in the early 90’s as a grassroots effort. In 2010 it became a formalized program with professionally trained and certified instructors. Since then upwards of 1000 people have participated in the program and improved their riding skills. Evergreen currently offers classes for adults, kids, and women-only, with class options ranging from beginner skills to more advanced downhill, freeride and enduro riding techniques.

Evergreen’s 32 volunteer instructors in Western, Central, and Eastern WA are professionally trained and certified through the IMIC and Endless Biking. They are a diverse group of experienced, trained riders that are passionate about mountain biking and are excited to pass on their hard-earned knowledge to both new and seasoned riders.

For more information about the 2-day clinic visit: evergreenmtb.org/recreation/calendar.php?event_id=10991

About Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is Washington State’s largest mountain bike organization, with more than 10,000 followers, and is dedicated to trail maintenance and building, advocacy and education. Created in 1989 as a nonprofit, grassroots solution to local trail networks closing to riders, Evergreen has since grown to become a partner with public land managers across the state, contributing more than 10,000 hours of volunteer labor in the past year alone. The organization is internationally known for creating both Colonnade and Duthie Hill mountain bike parks. To learn more about Evergreen visit www.evergreenmtb.org.