MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- So you've got a big screen television, an off-the-hook surround sound stereo system, three video gaming systems, a phat set of wheels and a hot new dirt bike. What more could you want? Someplace to learn how to ride your dirt bike better, you say? Base Safety is working on just that.
As part of an effort to expand MCB Hawaii's power sports program, Base Safety hopes to offer all DoD personnel aboard MCB Hawaii, a chance to enroll in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) DirtBike School to be held tentatively next spring at Bellows Air Force Station.
Deputy Safety Director Danilo Tolentino said the Headquarters Marine Corps Safety Division sees MCB Hawaii's power sports program as a model program and would like to use it as a standard for the rest of the Marine Corps.
"[They're] looking to expand our power sports program to include not only motorcycling, but ATVs ... and water Jet Skis," he said.
The expansion process will take some time to implement but the wheels are in motion.
Safety specialist and MSF motorcycle instructor Mario Diprete said Base Safety is taking a "preventative attitude" toward dirt biking. Base Safety wants to provide riders with a firm foundation to help them stay upright by teaching them the right skills for situations they will likely face while on a dirt bike.
"There are some folks ... that just go, and they buy a dirt bike, and they ride it, and they learn through the school of hard knocks and literally fall off - like me, many years ago. There [are] a lot of do's and don'ts," he said.
"It's not to say that it's a guarantee that they won't get hurt, but at least they have a little bit more knowledge [than] just going cold turkey. And also, just like with the Basic Rider Course and the Experienced Rider Course, they try to make the right decision with the right choice and go out there with the right attitude," Diprete added.
The one-day dirt bike course will be geared toward those who already own a dirt bike or an enduro, and those who have little or limited skills on off-highway motorcycles.
Classes will be held at Bellows Air Force Station, on the Windward side of Oahu, where students will be taught real-world riding situations. They will start by learning basics skills, from the proper sitting position to straight-line riding, before advancing to make sharp turns, riding on hills, and more. More experienced riders will have the opportunity to participate in other exercises.
In addition to riding skills, students will learn and discuss responsible risk management and environmental awareness. At the end of the course, riders should have a solid foundation of dirt bike riding skills and understand what it takes to stay safe and act responsibly.
There are a number of things that need to fall into place before the DirtBike School can come to fruition.
"I, myself, have to become certified. We're working on that right now," said Diprete. "I was hoping by this summer that I'd be able to get into an MSF dirt bike instructor's course to get my certification."
In addition, Base Safety needs to secure a dirt bike for Diprete to teach with.
Also, as part of the expansion, Base Safety is looking to expand its current motorcycling rider's course by adding a second riding range at the parking lot of the old post office location.
"I think it would be a great asset for us here because we have two ranges. And if I have more than one rider coach or coaches, I can run a huge class depending on the needs," explained Diprete. "If I have more than a couple of rider coaches, we can have one big class here, facilitated here in our classroom, and we could divide the range up."
In the meantime, Diprete urges all riders, "not to ride over your limit. That's where a lot of folks get into problems. They ride above ... what they actually can ride."