The long haul down to Rangiora, north of Christchurch, to compete in the 2016 annual South Island BMX Championship was well worth it for three Tauranga BMX Club riders.
Phillip Milburn won the 45-49 years cruiser male division and Karepa Heke Kaiawha, 11, triumphed in the 12 years boys' division. Karepa's younger brother Anaru, 7, placed 10th in the 8 years boys.
Last year Karepa took first place for both the 11 boys' 20" and 11-12 years Cruiser classes in the 2015 BMX NZ National Series. He was nationally ranked number two in New Zealand in the 11 Boys and recently had a birthday so has moved up a grade.
Karepa had a great time in Rangiora but did not have it all go his way as he had to put a bad crash behind him.
"I enjoyed catching up and staying with my friend Ashton Stocker who placed second in the 12 Boys 20.