Scott and Rachel Diaz are the local founders of the Florida Interscholastic Cycling League (FICL)’s newest chapter, the Ghost Crabs. The FICL is a chapter of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). FICL is a league that helps put kids on bicycles and gets them outside. They offer multiple races throughout the state during the mountain biking season, however participation in races isn’t required of kids.
Scott and Rachel are both avid mountain bicyclists, who have been biking on trails since 2008. Both of their children started riding around the ages of 4-5 years old. When their 11 year old son voiced a desire to join a mountain bike team, Scott and Rachel started looking into local options.
Scott told us how when he first started looking, the closest chapter for kids was in Jacksonville. That was when they both decided to jump on board and begin the rigorous process of being certified as coaches and starting a local chapter.
The Ghost Crabs, Palm Coast’s local chapter, had its first official year last year in 2022. They had four athletes that started the year off, although one had to stop mid year. The team road trails like Moses Creek in St. Augustine and River Bend in Ormond Beach.
The FICL is for middle and high school students who want to experience the joy of mountain biking. You can join for the year and compete all over the state of Florida, or you can opt to just do the practices. One of the perks of joining the FICL is that it is a not for profit organization whose focus is on youth development by way of mountain biking. If a child doesn’t have a bike, and cannot afford one, the FICL will help children obtain bicycles to practice and ride on.
Scott and Rachel both agreed that one of their most memorable experiences with the organization has been to watch the kids develop their skills with mountain biking.
The next mountain biking season is almost upon us, and Scott and Rachel will be holding an info session on September 26th at 6pm at the Hammock Community Center. You can attend to find out more information on getting your kids involved, or on becoming a coach. Scott and Rachel not only wish to grow the team of kids, but also the team of coaches. Coaches must be 18 years old and go through a rigorous certification process and screening.
If you are interested in helping Scott and Rachel with getting the Ghost Crabs off the ground and flourishing in Flagler County there are a few ways you can help. Bike donations are always welcomed, as well as getting involved as a coach, or registering your middle or high schooler. The Ghost Crabs team is also involved with helping maintain our biking trails, and people or families who want to get involved with trail maintenance are always welcomed to join in and assist.
Practices are held at the Mala Compra trail head and Hammock Community Center field. Registration will begin on October 15th, 2023. To get information on registration, you can email Scott and Rachel at: PCComposite@gmail.com.
To read about the FICL and all of its programs, events, and other information, you can visit that here.
