Nate Mackellar: Growing Up BMX

Nate has had BMX around him for as long as he can remember, but he is building his own story now. Riding Sumners with Matt is the family side of it; lining up at national-level freestyle events shows where he is taking it. He is local, talented and still improving. Nate has grown up around bikes, dirt jumps and the whole Mackellar crew. He rides Sumners with his dad Matt and has also mixed it up in freestyle comps, finishing sixth in Amateur Boys 15+ at the 2024 Nationals. That result is worth celebrating, but it is not the only useful part of his progression. The everyday sessions matter too. Learning how to carry speed through dirt, watching older riders and getting comfortable on different setups all build the sort of control that eventually shows up when a run counts. Nate has the advantage of good people around him, but he still has to put the riding in himself. That is what makes the story his rather than just a family connection.

This feature is not here to pretend a young rider needs everything worked out already. Nate is still progressing, and that is the interesting bit. There will be new tricks, rough sessions, contest nerves and days where riding with the family is more important than any result. Keeping all of that enjoyable is the job. The Sumners video shows the side of BMX that sits behind the competition clips: a local spot, good light, a line that has been worked on and two generations sharing it. It gives the national result some context without turning Nate into a list of placings. He is a rider who grew up in the scene and is now finding out where he wants to take it. We are keen to watch that happen without rushing the process or making every session feel like a performance review. Have a look at the riding, keep an eye on the progression and remember that being the next rider through the line is still meant to be fun. The next few years will probably change his riding again, which is exactly what should happen. Young riders should be able to try different bikes, spots and styles without every choice being treated like a permanent brand. The useful thing is keeping a solid base: ride often, look after the places you use, listen to people who know the spot and keep enough fun in it that you still want another session tomorrow. Results can sit on top of that, not replace it. Watch: Matt and Nate Mackellar Rip Sumners Road Jumps Hero image: Blue Groove BMX, Sumners Road FPV session.