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

The final session of the Christmas holidays: a special Advanced Riders Party Session exclusively for Blue Advanced and above riders. Expect an afternoon packed with music, fun competitions, prizes and plenty of riding.

Includes a long jump competition, accuracy and skills challenges, timed sections and mini races, prizes and awards, and session challenges set by the coaches. The focus is on having fun, building confidence and enjoying the trails, while encouraging riders to challenge themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

Important, fitness and distance requirement: this session is strictly for Blue ability riders who are able to cycle a minimum of 6 miles with a good level of fitness. Sessions regularly involve longer off site trail rides, and your child needs to be comfortable with this distance, which keeps the group together and makes the ride more enjoyable for everyone.

These sessions are designed for riders who have already secured strong basic bike skills and are ready to progress further. Coaching focuses on developing techniques such as:

• Cornering on natural trails
• Riding steeper terrain
• Drops and jumps
• Maintaining control and confidence over longer trail distances

Coaches work with riders to develop:

• Controlled stopping using back brake, front brake and combined braking
• Strong, adaptable riding positions for low overhead obstacles, ground obstacles and undulating terrain
• Effective body movement on the bike to manage sharp bumps and trail features such as inclines, corners and rapid changes in direction
• Stability and control to neutralise bumps and trail undulations while riding at speed

Sessions include trail riding off site as well as using the Trail Academy's private trails, pump track and jump line.

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