Strider World Cup Races To Sarasota For The Strider World Championship

Aug. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- The Strider World Championship and Sarasota Kids Fest will bring toddlers from around the globe to Sarasota, Florida USA on the weekend of October 14-16, 2011 for three days of adventure on two wheels and off. Strider Sports International, the world’s premier no-pedal balance bike manufacturer, will hold their season-ending race at beautiful Sarasota BMX, 1590 North Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34237.

The Strider World Championship on Saturday, October 15th – the first toddler world championship of any kind – will feature 2, 3, 4 and 5-year-old racers from North America, Asia, Europe, and South America. If your child hasn't qualified, you are in luck! There is a Last Chance Qualifier on Friday, October 14th to qualify for the World Championship being held the next day.

Every racer will earn a medal for participation in the race and the top three finishers in each age group will be awarded trophies during a finish line podium ceremony. At the end, there will be lots of big smiles, and the first 2-year-old, 3-year-old, 4-year-old and 5-year-old World Champions will be crowned. If you haven't seen a toddler trophy ceremony, you’re in for a treat! Pre-registration is required. Race entry fee is $40 for the Championship and $15 for the Last Chance Qualifier. Registration is limited to 200 racers. For more information or to pre-register, visit http://www.striderlife.com/worldchampionship.

In addition to world championship racing, bring the whole crew to the Family Fun Festival, Strider Parade, BBQ, Strider beach riding, and luau held throughout the weekend at the track and race headquarters, the world-class Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel. Located directly on Sarasota's world renowned beaches, the Helmsley Sandcastle and Strider have teamed up to offer beach front rooms, multiple swimming pools, free evening child care and open-air trolley rides to shuttle riders and family between the hotel and the track on both days. Special Strider rates start at $99 per night for families up to five. Rooms are limited so book your room early and mention "Strider World Championship" to receive your discount. For hotel details, visit http://www.HelmsleySandcastle.com.

“Four years ago I could not have imagined that the bike I created for my son to learn to ride would lead so quickly to a championship race for children from around the world,” states Strider Inventor and CEO Ryan McFarland. “We always believed the Strider was special in the way it taught toddlers how to balance and ride on two wheels. Now with the Strider Cup and Strider World Championship, we see children as young as 2-years-old experiencing friendly competition, developing sportsmanship and playing on two wheels. This is going to be an amazing weekend, and we are grateful to all our partners and Sarasota County for helping us culminate the season in true Strider style – fun in the sun!”

“Sarasota is proud to host the 2011 Strider World Championship," said John McCarthy, Sarasota County Recreational Tourism Development Manager. "Sarasota is well-poised to host an exciting weekend of Strider family fun with America’s number one beach, a vibrant downtown, and the first purpose-built, “no-pedal” BMX race track in the country.”

“The Strider World Cup is the minor leagues for BMX Racing, and we're thrilled to be a part of the Strider World Championship as it shines a big spotlight on our smallest racers,” finishes Bernie Anderson, President of USA BMX. “It is an honor for USA BMX to be the host of this historic event as we celebrate and cheer for the cycling champions of tomorrow."

Special thanks to our partners: Nutcase Helmets (http://www.nutcasehelmets.com), Y Water (http://www.ywater.us), Go Pro (http://www.gopro.com), Sarasota County Sports Commission (http://www.sarasotafl.org), Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel (http://www.helmsleysandcastle.com), USA BMX (http://www.usabmx.com), and Sarasota BMX (http://www.sarasotabmx.com).

About the Strider World Cup™
The Strider Cup™ and Strider World Cup™ events are play experiences designed to let toddlers and young kids age 18 months to five years old explore the world on TWO wheels. Whether it is test riding a Strider™ No-Pedal Bike for the first time or racing Striders on a dirt track with other toddlers, Strider World Cup™ events have something for every family interested in giving their child a head start. Balance, coordination, and confidence all develop naturally when children experience group play and friendly competition on Striders. For more information, visit http://www.StriderCup.com.

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About Strider™ No-Pedal Bikes
If your toddler can walk, your toddler CAN ride a STRIDER™! Avoid tricycle tip-overs and training wheel wobbles. Go straight to riding on TWO wheels. STRIDER™ No-Pedal Bikes help toddlers age one to five years old learn balance and coordination BEFORE pedaling, which develops glittering confidence and amazing bike handling skills. So ditch the tricycle and training wheels, and teach your child to ride a bike sooner, better, and safer with a STRIDER™. Available at http://www.StriderBikes.com.