Wondering if You Have What it Takes to be a MTB Instructor? Follow my Journey

Well, I’m officially a certified mountain bike instructor—and yes, I can now teach you everything you need to know about beginner mountain biking skills! *winks*

To be fair, I’ve been a teacher for nearly 20 years and mountain biking for the last decade. So, becoming a certified instructor felt like a natural next step. Still, I might not have taken the plunge without the encouragement of Dr. Klein—so thank you for the nudge in the right direction.

If you’ve ever thought about combining your passion for riding with your ability to connect with others, read on to see if mountain bike coaching is right for you.

Why I Chose PMBIA Certification

I recently completed the Level 1 PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association) certification—a globally recognized program designed to standardize and elevate the quality of mountain bike instruction worldwide.

Over an intensive weekend, my 7 classmates and I trained under the guidance of PMBIA instructor Charlotte Batty (also of Minii Adventures). We focused on core teaching techniques and essential mountain biking skills, such as:

• Body positioning

• Braking techniques

• Cornering

• Line choice

• Wheel lifts

• Climbing and descending

• And more!

It was an eye-opening experience. Breaking down these foundational techniques—many of which I had been performing subconsciously and sloppily —was surprisingly challenging. But with expert instruction, we all made big strides toward becoming safer, more skilled, and more articulate riders.

Should You Take the PMBIA Level 1 Course?

If you’re considering becoming a mountain bike skills instructor, here are two reasons you might want to take the PMBIA Level 1 course:

1. You want to improve your riding skills.
   The course offers a focused environment to refine your fundamentals. It’s a pass/fail format, but even if you don’t pass, you’ll still gain valuable insight and practical feedback to elevate your riding.

2. You’re already informally teaching.
   If your riding buddies constantly come to you for tips and trail advice, you’re likely a natural instructor already. The PMBIA course helps you formalize that knowledge—teaching you how to explain concepts clearly, analyze rider movements, and provide constructive feedback.

What’s Next on My Mountain Biking Instructor Journey?

Now that I’m a PMBIA Level 1 certified mountain bike coach, I’m exploring what’s next. PMBIA offers more advanced certifications (Levels 2 and 3), which I may pursue in the future.

In the short term, I’m thinking of perhaps joining one of Ontario’s many mountain bike coaching programs. Collaborating with a team of experienced instructors to help new riders gain confidence and skills on the trails sounds incredibly rewarding.

Final Thoughts

If you’re passionate about mountain biking and love sharing that passion with others, becoming a certified instructor is a fulfilling path. Not only will you sharpen your own skills, but you’ll also empower others to ride with confidence and joy.

Interested in leveling up your skills or becoming a coach yourself? Start by checking out the PMBIA certification program—you might just discover your next adventure on the trail.