Lewis Ross is the only pupil from Te Uku School competing in the Aims games in Tauranga.
Aims games is the largest intermediate-aged sporting event in Australasia and the 12-year-old will be competing in mountain biking.
At five years old, Lewis started riding his bike, and it wasn’t long before his parents built him a jumping ramp which he spent hours on, according to his mum, Jen Ross.
He “just loves riding his bike,” says Ross.
Lewis is also easily continuing his commitment to his sport, maintaining his training as well as his schoolwork. He participates in strength and fitness training and goes on “night rides” as a member of the Hamilton Mountain Biking club.
As he has gotten older, he has gotten “stronger and faster.”
Aims games was just the fit for Lewis and a “good progression,” according to his mum. When she heard about it, she signed Lewis up. His mum is serving as a parent manager at the games.
She described Lewis as a very social kid, and these competitions when he is around people, and he knows most of them, “fills his cup.”
Jen Ross says her son is very level-headed and does not care too much about not getting first place.
Whatever the outcome, Lewis will be wearing his big smile; something his mum says people who meet him comment on first.
Te Mata School is sending three teams: Boys’ golf, girls’ golf and surfing.
Raglan Area School is sending three teams competing in 3×3 basketball, golf and cross country.
