Trail Academy: Blue Skills Session - Duke of Kent School, Ewhurst

Most suited to riders aged 7 and over, unless rider ability has been discussed with a member of the team.

These sessions are designed for riders who have already secured basic bike handling skills and are ready to take their technique to the next level. Riders focus on improving skills such as cornering, navigating steeper terrain, tackling small drops and hitting small jumps, as well as building the confidence to ride longer trails.

Each session starts with a bike check and a chance to meet the coaches, then fun games to music in the walled playground area as a warm up.

Coaches guide riders through key techniques including:

• Stopping with control using back, front and combined brakes
• Maintaining the right riding position to handle low obstacles overhead, ground obstacles and undulating terrain
• Moving your body on the bike to absorb bumps and navigate features like inclines, corners and changes in direction
• Staying stable and neutralising bumps and undulations on the trail

The session uses the pump track to develop skills, then ventures onto the woodland trails to apply them on varied terrain. Riding is for short distances, typically up to 5 miles depending on the group's ability, on the Trail Academy's private trails and pump track and in the woods surrounding the school.

Price per session is £40.00.

Bike hire is available at £20 per three hour session, from a fleet of 2026 Specialized mountain bikes in sizes from small kids' bikes up to adult sizes. Please note your child's age and height when booking.

Staying for the whole day? The Kids Holiday Lunch Club (£10) looks after your child during the lunchtime break between sessions, indoors in the warm or outside if the weather is nice, with toilets on site. It does not include food: pack a lunch with your child's name clearly labelled, plus a carrier bag for wrappers and leftovers.

Location: Duke of Kent School, Peaslake Road, Ewhurst, Surrey GU6 7NS. As you arrive at the school driveway, take the first right hand turning by the lodge house towards the sports fields and follow the road down to the gravel car park on your right. Don't drive up to the main school building.

What to bring on the day: a mountain bike, a mountain bike helmet in full working order (not BMX) and gloves, appropriate clothing (long trousers) and footwear including a waterproof jacket (clothing and shoes can get muddy by the end of the session, so a change of clothes may be handy). Snacks and a drink. The team conducts a safety check on all bikes and advises on correct set up before every course.

Source: The Trail Academy session page