Living in Christchurch has opened endless trails of adventures for Merrin School student Ollie Berryman. 
 
A month out from his ninth birthday, Ollie convinced his parents to let him have a go at downhill mountain biking – and has been a Christchurch Adventure Park regular ever since.

Prior to his first CAP experience, Ollie had struggled with both health and shyness. As he navigated some significant health issues, parents James and Rochelle Berryman developed a reward system to encourage Ollie to overcome each obstacle and work on his wellbeing.

After watching the mountain bikers for the first time when he visited the base of the park as part of a kids’ orienteering session, his inquisition grew after seeing all the bikers and the buzz around the village. 

He decided that a trip to the park was just the incentive he needed, and the new challenge and autonomy of biking appealed to him quickly.

Ollie and his mum Rochelle were dropped off ‘at the top’ by James, Ollie’s father and made their way down Worsleys Track into the park, and then found their way onto Duncans Donuts (Green trail), before finishing their memorable first visit at the cafe.

“We had no idea what to expect or how long it would take on our subpar bikes, but they had wheels and brakes so that’s all we needed! The magic began, I'd not seen Ollie gleam and glow as much as in the moment we set off, it was like he was free and it was great for his soul, he'd found his passion and his happy place.

“That day will always be special to me and firmly etched into my memory as new beginnings for Ollie and us as a family,” says Rochelle.

For his ninth birthday Rochelle and James bought Ollie a second-hand hardtail as well as a private lesson, it was a way more capable bike for him to be able to continue to ride at CAP.

“These things coupled with that first ride down and he was hooked. He had never done a holiday programme let alone attending one alone. He was so hooked he had the confidence to go it alone and he has never looked back.

“The park and staff are truly amazing. CAP has become his haven, a home away from home where he feels like part of the family. We all do. He looks up to the guides and likes the idea of working there one day,” she adds.

James notes that the reserved 10-year-old had tried soccer, but it “wasn’t really him.”

“Ollie is much more confident and has overcome significant health issues thanks to his experience at CAP,” he says.

Less than two years since that first downhill, Ollie has enrolled in junior skill clinics, holiday programmes, night riding sessions and even joined a junior racing team.

According to Rochelle, “Mountain biking to me for Ollie, has been so important for his health and well-being that we are willing to facilitate his journey and progression in the sport as much and as best we can for as long as he is passionate about it. It’s so much more to me than a boy riding a bike, it’s unlocked a passion, given him confidence and been amazing for his health and well-being. It's good for his sole.”
“He has also upped the ante and begun night riding in the last couple of weeks,” she adds.

The CAP staff love seeing Ollie not only grow his skillset but also his confidence through his mountain biking.

“From my perspective, Ollie really is a shining light for us at CAP, where a young lad who had never experienced mountain biking before, came and gave it a go, was then introduced to lessons, met other likeminded children and is now competing in events throughout the South Island. 

“Our ethos is to get kids on bikes, let them embrace the experience, and use it to grow them not only physically but also mentally. It provides a safe place for his parents to leave Ollie under the guidance of our coaches, and for the parents to have time out in our village whilst he rides,” says Melanie Boyle Guest Services Manager at CAP.

Ollie travels the trails way beyond his parents’ capabilities nowadays, so the only way you can catch him riding is on his mate’s (Ben and his dad James) Youtube channel - Click here 

Visit the CAP Website - Click here 

Follow Sport Canterbury on Facebook - Click here 
 

Article added: Wednesday 30 June 2021