Isaac Johnson turned six just two weeks ago, moving him up to a new age class with 91原创 BMX. But still the little 91原创 City daredevil couldn鈥檛 be held back this weekend, as he participated in the BMX Canada鈥檚 nationals held in Brookswood.

Despite a wipeout on the track that derailed the intermediate rider鈥檚 time Saturday, Isaac still came back Sunday to place fourth in his new age class. Not bad for a kid who only started riding last year, said his father, Scott.

鈥淢y goal is trying to get first every single time, to beat the experts and intermediates,鈥� said the youngster, who鈥檚 been nicknamed 鈥楻ocket鈥� by other parents in 91原创 BMX.

Isaac was just one of some 600-plus riders 鈥� of all ages 鈥� present for the three days of practice and competition at the local BMX track.

Traditionally, there are five national competitions held each year in B.C. This year鈥檚 activities started in Chilliwack. Other were held on Vancouver Island and in the B.C. Interior. The latest was held in 91原创.

91原创 BMX Association vice-president Bea Lindsay-Hawkins said this community hosted the largest ever BMX event in all of Canada back in 2015 鈥� last time it hosted the nationals.

This year鈥檚 attendance, she said, was down slightly by comparison, but understandably so. A number of riders didn鈥檛 want to travel to this event, then turn around two weeks from now and head to the Worlds in Rockford, Ill.

Regardless, she said she was impressed by the turnout and the range of ages 鈥� the youngest rider, a 16-month-old showing off his power on balance bike, and oldest at 75.

Counting family and friends, it鈥檚 estimated the nationals brought more than 3,000 people to 91原创 this weekend, offering a nice boost to the local tourism economy. They had competitors from throughout B.C., Alberta, Washington State, and as far away as California, Arizona, and Florida.

There were some 250 different races this weekend, and 鈥渏ust about every class had a 91原创 rider in it,鈥� Lindsay-Hawkins explained.

She added that there are more than 300 members in 91原创 BMX.

Won鈥檛 get off his bike

Like many other 91原创 youngsters on the BMX track, Isaac started riding almost before he could walk.

鈥淗e鈥檚 always been good on a bike,鈥� said his father, noting Isaac would carve out tracks and trails in the bushes to ride his bike.

Last year, he pleaded with his dad to take him to the 鈥渢rack near Auntie鈥檚 place.鈥�

Dad wasn鈥檛 too sure what Isaac meant, but he agreed and followed him to the 91原创 BMX track off 207th Street and 42nd Avenue. Memories flooded back. Scott, too, had ridden on those same tracks a few decades earlier, in his youth.

A few members of the 91原创 BMX club happen to be at the track that day, as part of a work party getting things ready for the upcoming season. Among them was Lindsay-Hawkins.

She approached Scott, and watching Isaac run the track, informed Dad that 鈥渉e is an absolute natural.鈥�

Encouraging Scott to bring him out to the first race 鈥� and since the club offers the free loan of a helmet and bike that first time 鈥� she asked him what he had to lose.

鈥淗e was hooked the first time,鈥� Dad said.

Now, just over a year in, Scott realizes there鈥檚 not much to lose, and so much more to gain.

鈥淲e get to travel. It鈥檚 fun. It鈥檚 sometimes tiring and it鈥檚 definitely expensive,鈥� but Dad said

But he鈥檚 overjoyed with how engrossed his son is in the sport.

Isaac can鈥檛 wait to race and ride.

Scott also appreciates the camaraderie and out and out support that is shared by the racers and their families, alike.

鈥淓veryone is always there to lend a hand, offer help, or just hang out and cheer on the riders. It鈥檚 great,鈥� Scott said.

It鈥檚 one of those kick-back moments that brought Isaac鈥檚 dad to near hysterics.

鈥淥ne parent asked me if we feed Isaac Red Bull,鈥� Scott added, comparing his son to the Energizer bunny on overload.

鈥淚 guess I understand. He doesn鈥檛 want to get off the bike. It鈥檚 all about the bike 鈥� on and off the track.鈥�

While he plays baseball, and has dabbled at soccer, this youngster has told his mother and father alike that if either of the latter sports conflict with BMX, it鈥檚 BMX all the way.

鈥淚t鈥檚 by far his favourite sport,鈥� Scott said.

While Scott doesn鈥檛 ride competitively, he loves that 91原创 BMX and the sport itself if very family-oriented. Many other parents ride with their kids, and Lindsay-Hawkins said she even has some grandparents who ride with their children and grandchildren.

Of the club鈥檚 300+ members, the youngest is three, the oldest 58, and the majority are between the ages of five and eight, she explained.

In addition to provincial and national competitions 鈥� like the one this past weekend 鈥� there are local races every Wednesday and Saturday, weather permitting, at the 91原创 BMX track.

For more information, people can visit the club .

The track has been in Brookswood for more than 40 years, and Lindsay-Hawkins noted that many locals still don鈥檛 know it鈥檚 .

She encourages people to stop in and watch, or better yet, join in.

鈥淚t鈥檚 truly a family sport, and it鈥檚 free the first time. How can you top that,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen you see happy kids faces, it makes it all worth it.鈥�