BMX has attracted 88 competitors from as far as Invercargill and Whangarei in its first year at the AIMS Games.
Intermediate age kids were stoked to have their beloved sport included in the games and the turnout reflected this.
AIMS Games BMX race director Tina Bourke said including BMX into the games had been three years in the making.
"Three years ago Sarah Walker was the guest speaker at the AIMS Games opening ceremony, fresh from winning silver at the Olympics. But BMX wasn't even a sport at the games at the time."
Ms Bourke's own kids were avid BMXers but had to compete in the cross country for the AIMS Games - until this year.
She was pleased with the turnout and thought it would only get bigger in the coming years.
BMX debuted as a three-day competition including motos, time trials, and a school team challenge on 20-inch bikes.
Olympic stars Sarah Walker and Trent Jones were there at the BMX track on Cambridge Rd to cheer the kids on this week.
Walker, New Zealand's first BMX Olympian and silver medallist, said the AIMS Games was almost as big as the Olympics and was a great opportunity for kids.
"It's almost like Olympic experience at an intermediate age. The kids get to represent their schools - there's so many cools things about AIMS Games."
Jones, New Zealand's only BMX racer at the Rio Olympics, said that was how he started BMX, by representing his school so having BMX at the games was "pretty cool".
I came today to just get out there and ride and just get more into the sport
Eleven-year-old Mason Bollee has only been riding BMX for four months but was up against New Zealand's best intermediate age racers.
Read more: AIMS Games: all about having fun
The Aquinas College racer crashed in his race but even drawing blood did not stop him from getting back on his bike to finish the race.
"I just got back up and had another crack at it.
"I came today to just get out there and ride and just get more into the sport," Mason said.
He said he would be back next year with more practice under his belt.
Mason was encouraged to try it by his buddy Connor van der Pol, 12.
The Mount Maunganui Intermediate BMXer had been biking for five years and loved BMX - especially the speed.
He lent Mason a bike and together they practised three to four times a week for at least an hour in the 10-week lead up to the games.
The sore muscles were worth it and the boys had been loving the games - especially the opening ceremony where Kings performed.
Boys were not the only competitors, with a strong number of girls racing.
Ava Neilson, 11, almost did not make it to the competition, breaking her leg before registration.
"It was a buckle fracture in my knee, I slipped and fell and hit it on the bench. It was stupid and I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to compete."
Ava entered the games at the last minute and had only three weeks to train.
"The games has been pretty cool, we've had a whole week off to do what we love."
Her fellow Otumoetai Intermediate racers were having a blast as well.
Tayla Arnold, 11, said she loved to race and meet all the new people.
"The competition is pretty tough, we have the number one girl in New Zealand here."