BMX bandit gives back

REPORT: MARK JOHN / PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON

Southland-raised world class BMX rider Nick Cowie, 18, flies over the Forrester Park BMX track on Saturday.

Fresh off competing at BMX competitions in France, Netherlands and California, he was enjoying competing in round two of the Southern Series in Dunedin, Cowie said.

The event helped promote BMX riding to younger children and he wanted to give them "something to look up to".

Having competed at the world championship level, he was making an effort to give back to the Otago and Southland community, where he had been racing since he was 10.

He was on the road most days, coaching in Alexandra, Invercargill, Kaitangata and Cromwell on different days of the week. His dream was to compete at the Olympics. Cowie said the Southern Series helped him stay on top of his game during his off season.