Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Crankworx organizers looking for volunteers

By Andrew Mitchell The annual Kokanee Crankworx freeride mountain bike festival is less than two months away, and organizers have put a call out for volunteers to help out whenever they can from July 21 to 29.

By Andrew Mitchell

The annual Kokanee Crankworx freeride mountain bike festival is less than two months away, and organizers have put a call out for volunteers to help out whenever they can from July 21 to 29.

According to event producer Jeremy Roche a lot of volunteers have already stepped forward to help out, but with seven events on the schedule and a growing night scene, Crankworx is looking for volunteers to help with competitor relations, events, logistics, the expo village, accrediting media, and helping set up the stage.

“We’ve got quite the list of volunteers going and as the event grows in size and preeminence a lot more people are interested in getting the inside track on events,” said Roche. “We don’t take anything for granted, and could use as many volunteers as possible. We try pretty hard to make it a positive experience for everyone who helps out, which is how we get people back every year.”

Most details of the Crankworx festival will be announced in the next few weeks. Information for athletes will be posted in early June, and registration will get underway a few weeks after that.

The entertainment lineup is also coming together.

“We’re literally in the process of fine-tuning that. We’ve hired a new band coordinator to oversee the acts we’re booking and we’re looking into a few movie screenings, and have a few other neat things up our sleeves as well,” said Roche.

“It’s definitely coming together quickly. We’re still working on the new events, like the WomenzWorx competition that is new this year, but everything is on track. John Cowan is busy in the Boneyard building everything up for this year, and as always there will be a few things that nobody has ever seen before at the signature slopestyle event.”

As well, Roche is wrapping up discussions with some new sponsors that he should be able to announce in the next few weeks, and that will add a few twists to the festival.

This year the Biker X will kick off the festival on Saturday, July 21 at the base of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. The usual international World Cup field is expected.

The Garbanzo Downhill, a 1,100 metre descent from the top of the Garbanzo Chair to the village, takes place on Sunday.

WomenzWorx takes place over two days, starting on Monday, July 23. The events emphasize progression, and are designed for everyone from pros to novices.

The sixth annual Air Downhill takes place on A-Line on Wednesday, July 25, with 200 riders going full tilt from top to bottom via a course that includes 100 jumps and stunts.

For the first time Crankworx will be hosting a dual slalom, taking place on Friday, July 27. The dual slalom pits rider against rider on a short course lined with slalom gates.

The main focus of the festival is once again the annual Boneyard Slopestyle, which is in its fifth year. There are now slopestyle events around the world but the biggest event is still at Whistler, where the event format originated.

The last event on the calendar is the Canadian Open Downhill, on a course being set by local rider Tyler Morland.

For more information, visit www.crankworx.com.