How to organize a dirt jump competition
A dirt jump competition needs more than a good track and willing riders. Start by fixing the date and venue, then handle permits, insurance, rules, judging, first aid, and registration before promoting the event. In the final weeks, confirm riders and volunteers, order prizes, check deliveries, and inspect every jump and landing. On competition day, clear roles, a printed schedule, working radios, and a weather plan keep the event moving.
The plan, step by step
Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.
Preparations
- 1
Set the match date
2 people
- 2
Reserve venue
- 3
Apply for competition permit
- 4
Check insurance
- 5
Draw up competition rules
2 people
- 6
Assign judges
- 7
Arrange first aid staffing
- 8
Create the match schedule
2 people
- 9
Publish registration form
- 10
Send invitations
2 people
- 11
Approach sponsors
2 people
- 12
Secure prize money
- 13
Order prizes and cups
- 14
Process registrations
2 people
- 15
Collect dietary requirements
- 16
Confirm participants
- 17
Schedule volunteers
2 people
- 18
Reserve deliveries
- 19
Finalize shopping list
2 people
- 20
Do the shopping
3 people
- 21
Collect prizes
2 people
- 22
Check the weather forecast
- 23
Send participant information
- 24
Inspect the dirt jump track
3 people
- 25
Repair jumps and landings
4 people
- 26
Mark the track and audience
3 people
- 27
Prepare race numbers
2 people
- 28
Print the jury forms
- 29
Test music and announcements
2 people
- 30
Fill coolers
2 people
- 31
Mark off the competition area
5 people
- 32
Build party tents
4 people
- 33
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
- 34
Set up judges' table
2 people
- 35
Set up registration desk
2 people
- 36
Connect sound
2 people
- 37
Perform track maintenance
3 people
- 38
Conduct a safety check
3 people
- 39
Set up catering
3 people
- 40
Brief volunteers
2 people
Event
- 41
Receive participants
3 people
- 42
Hand out race numbers
2 people
- 43
Check licenses and forms
2 people
- 44
Give riders briefing
2 people
- 45
Welcoming the audience
- 46
Lead the training
4 people
- 47
Take jury positions
4 people
- 48
Guide qualifying rounds
5 people
- 49
Process competition results
2 people
- 50
Refill drinks
2 people
- 51
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
- 52
Serve snacks
2 people
- 53
Check the audience and course
3 people
- 54
Maintain the course in between
3 people
- 55
Announce finalists
- 56
Support the final rounds
5 people
- 57
Check final scores
3 people
- 58
Prepare awards ceremony
2 people
- 59
Handle prize ceremony
3 people
- 60
Photograph the winners
- 61
See the audience out
3 people
- 62
Collect lost and found items
2 people
- 63
Close catering
3 people
Aftercare
- 64
Turn off the sound
2 people
- 65
Clear the site
5 people
- 66
Collect waste
4 people
- 67
Wash dishes
3 people
- 68
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
- 69
Take down party tents
4 people
- 70
Collect track materials
3 people
- 71
Leave the site clean
4 people
- 72
Return rental items
2 people
- 73
Store leftover stock
2 people
- 74
Have waste removed
- 75
Publish results
- 76
Thank participants
- 77
Hand over the venue
2 people
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentqty 3
- Folding tableqty 8
- Chairqty 24
- Beer table setqty 4
- Judges' tableqty 2
- Waste binqty 6
Equipment
- Sound system
- Microphoneqty 2
- Extension cordqty 6
- Power stripqty 4
- Rechargeable power bankqty 4
- Laptopqty 2
- Printer
- Two-way radioqty 8
Sports equipment
- Starting gate
- Start number boardqty 60
- Jury clipboardqty 5
- Judge's whistleqty 4
- Stopwatchqty 4
- Measuring tapeqty 2
- Scoopqty 6
- Wheelbarrowqty 2
- Rakeqty 4
- Watering canqty 4
- Spirit levelqty 2
- Tamperqty 2
- Track brushqty 4
- Spare bike pumpqty 2
- Basic tool kitqty 2
- Bike mounting stand
- Spare inner tubeqty 10
- Tire leverqty 6
- Bike pump adapterqty 4
- Spare brake padqty 8
- Cable tieqty 200
- Barrier fenceqty 40
- Traffic coneqty 30
- Barrier tapeqty 6
- Marker coneqty 20
- Straw baleqty 30
- Crash matqty 6
- Bike standqty 30
- Bib holderqty 60
- Stage elementqty 3
- Competition clock
- Prize money box
Tableware
- Reusable drinking glassqty 150
- Coffee cupqty 60
- Reusable plateqty 120
- Cutlery setqty 120
- Pitcherqty 6
Kitchen
- Coffee makerqty 2
- Kettleqty 2
- Cool boxqty 6
- Ice cube trayqty 4
- Cutting boardqty 4
- Chef's knifeqty 4
- Serving platterqty 12
- Serving spoonqty 8
- Thermosqty 4
Cleaning
- Cleaning bucketqty 4
- Mopqty 4
- Broomqty 6
- Dustpan and brushqty 4
- Hand broomqty 4
- Litter pickerqty 4
- Drying rackqty 2
Lighting
- LED work lightqty 6
- String lightsqty 6
- Flashlightqty 8
Catering
- Groceries
Tips
- Set the date only after checking venue availability, permit requirements, and likely weather conditions. Submit the competition permit and confirm insurance as early as possible, because approval can take several weeks.
- Publish the rules and registration form before sending invitations. State the categories, judging criteria, schedule, entry deadline, and any rider information you need, including dietary requirements, in one place.
- Inspect the dirt jump track at least 7 days before the competition and again on the morning of the event. Repair jumps and landings, then use a level, tamper, rake, watering can, and track brush to leave the surface consistent.
- Build the schedule around registration checks, practice, competition runs, judging, and prize presentations. Give judges and volunteers named positions, and provide radios or a clear backup communication method before riders arrive.
- Do not leave prizes, tables, power, or deliveries until event morning. Collect cups and prizes in advance, test the microphone and sound system, and keep a spare bike pump, tool kit, and bike stand available for quick repairs.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to organize a dirt jump competition?
- Allow at least 8 to 12 weeks for a small competition. That gives you time to reserve the venue, obtain permits and insurance, recruit judges and first-aid staff, open registration, order prizes, and repair the track.
- When should registration close for a dirt jump competition?
- Close registration 7 to 10 days before the event. Use that final week to confirm participants, create start lists and heats, collect missing information, and send the final schedule and instructions.
- How many judges do you need for a dirt jump competition?
- Plan for at least 3 judges for a small competition, plus one person to manage scoring and results. Add more judges when several categories or simultaneous runs make it difficult to observe every rider consistently.
- When should you inspect and repair a dirt jump track?
- Carry out the main inspection and repairs 5 to 7 days before the competition, then do a final check on the event morning. Rain, heavy riding, or drying conditions can change a landing in a few hours, so keep basic track tools ready on site.
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