IMBA/SORBA to Host National Mountain Bike Patrol Training Conference

The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) has announced National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) regional training conference on October 8 - 9, 2005, at Gainesville College in Gainesville, Georgia. Hosted by SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association), the event will bring together patrollers from the Southeast and beyond for a weekend of training, networking and sweet Georgia singletrack. Successful participants will have the opportunity to become certified National Mountain Bike Patrol Instructors.

Current and aspiring patrol leaders, as well as mountain bike club leaders and land managers will hone their leadership skills and leave the conference ready to start new patrols or enhance existing ones. Any current patroller with an interest in taking their skills to the next level is welcome.

Attendees will learn advanced mountain bike patrol skills including patrol organization and advocacy, teaching techniques and trailside repair. Speakers will include land managers, ski patrollers, mountain bike advocates and mountain bike patrol representatives from across the Eastern U.S.

Following the conference, newly certified mountain bike patrol instructors will return to their home regions where they will start new patrol groups, train more patrollers, and expand the network of this growing program.

IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol supports and organizes over 60 volunteer patrol groups throughout North America. Patrollers assist, educate, and inform all trail users.

Additional details and online registration is available at: awww.imba.com/nmbp/conference.html.