I started mountain biking in 2016 and just like any newbie on the bike I was scared and not very good at it. I would get so nervous, fall a lot and get discouraged.

Coming from an athletic background and being strong, fit and competitive I very quickly realised I had zero technical MTB skills and would beat myself up physically from falling so much and mentally on almost every ride.

I started out riding with my partner,  who is quite an avid rider and it was really challenging to try and keep up with him, but I was determined – if he could do it, so could I.

That same year I decided to take on some ladies skills lessons – that believe it or not was run by my partner himself – Wessel Jacobsz. Owning a bike shop he often got ladies asking him to assist them with their MTB skills (it must have been that kind smile and patient heart 😉).

These MTB skills training lessons completely changed my riding and my mindset – even though it was really hard learning from my boyfriend it taught me a new life skill – if you just listen and observe you can learn so much.

I gained an understanding of the fundamentals and slowly began to build my confidence on the bike. I would spend hours practicing my skills (just on the grass) and was determined to master them to take my skills to the mountain bike trails. I started to really love being on my mountain bike and all I wanted to do was ride and get better at it each time and so I did.

As my riding progressed and I got more confident on my bike, I realised that there was a need for a teaching environment that supports women in a safe, fun and encouraging way. So I decided to take my passion and share it with other girls.

In 2017, Wessel and I went over to the USA to become certified to start coaching. We got our certifications through the Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP) which is recognised as the global leader in MTB skills instruction.

After spending some time riding in the USA and getting my certification, I came back to South Africa and dived right into ‘Ride Like A Girl’ and it’s been such a blessing to look back now and see how much we’ve grown and how many women we’ve empowered through mountain biking.

I love to coach and I get to share a sport that can change and enhance others’ lives.  

I love that I can inspire women through mountain biking and show them that they can be better riders. Mountain biking is an intimidating sport and through ‘Ride Like a Girl’ we help women overcome this fear by teaching them to believe in themselves and their abilities and understanding the sport on a deeper level.

My advice to all the ladies out there who want to experience the joy of mountain biking – don’t be afraid to be the “newbie” or beginner. We have all been there once. I didn’t just wake up one day and start hitting big drops and jumps on my bike, there was a progression.

The few years I’ve spent on my mountain bike is testament to how your riding can progress quickly if you take the time to learn and then ride your bike a lot, and most importantly practice your MTB skills!

Reach out with an open mind and ride with other women who have experience. I truly believe that if you ride with people who are better than you, it will help you become a better rider. Let go of thoughts of what others will think of you – if you can’t ride certain features or if you walk your bike, it’s all part of the progression not perfection.

Progression only happens when we practice and challenge ourselves to push past our fears. You can achieve anything you put your mind to. Don’t give up!

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After completing a BSC (Entomology and Zoology) at Rhodes University in 2008, I decided that an office or laboratory was not for me and took off into the wide world.

I have always loved being outdoors and adventure sports are in my blood – especially teaching and training people how to enjoy and get better at it.

I went on to become a professional diver (PADI), (RYA) yacht master instructor and then later on an internationally certified (BICP) mountain bike skills instructor trainer. 

I became more seriously involved in mountain biking in 2015 after I returned to South Africa. I became a partner in a bike shop and was very interested in the cycling and mountain biking industry in particular. Initially, I just enjoyed riding my mountain bike, but soon many of our customers started asking if we could help them with mountain biking skills training.

It was out of this that ‘Ride Like a Girl’ and ‘Mastering MTB Skills’ were eventually born. In the beginning our MTB skills clinics were quite basic and based on experience and instinct only. Soon, however, we realized that we needed to become a lot more professional about it.

After doing a lot of research on mountain biking instruction around the world, we decided to visit the Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP) in the USA, to have a closer look at their program. We were very impressed with their “progression approach” and the professional and systematic nature of their curriculum. The BICP is in partnership with Cycling USA and is also accredited by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).

In 2017, we enrolled in the Bike Instructor Certification Program in Pennsylvania, USA and completed the level 1 instructor certification. We returned to Massachusetts and Vermont in the USA in 2018 to do the Level 2 Certification. After completing our level 2 certifications we were invited to become BICP Instructor trainers. Victoria completed her level 1 Instructor Trainer Certification and I went on to complete my level 2  instructor trainers. 

Since aligning our work at ‘Ride Like a Girl’ and ‘Mastering MTB Skills’ with the “progression approach” and combining our experience in teaching people skills, we have gone from strength to strength and have helped literally thousands of new and experienced riders throughout South Africa and the world to get a better grip on their riding. We have also certified close to 30 new BICP skills instructors all over South Africa including instructors in Mozambique and Zambia.

Today we take pride in what we do, and we are grateful every day to be able to be a part of so many peoples riding journeys. We coach people from all walks of life, from all over the USA and South Africa. From absolute beginners just getting into the sport to seasoned and experienced riders many with professional ambitions. We are experts in all disciplines and coach youth and adults who take part in provincial, statewide, national and recreational XC, XCO, Enduro, Downhill & Marathon races and events. We offer an all encompassing and comprehensive skills training program that guarantees quick and efficient skills progression and overall confidence and control out on the trails.

Learning how to recognize your fears and limitations on the bike and on the trails is one of the most empowering experiences. Helping people through this process and seeing them succeed not only gives me professional satisfaction, but makes me super stoked on a personal level. I love teaching skills, I love riding my bike, and I love to witness that moment when people get it. Everybody can!

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