2025 GIVE’R Grant Recipients
Sawyer Popovitc
Isla O’ Connor
MOUNTAIN BIKE RECIPIENT
Big Congratulations to 17yr. old @isla_oc from southern Ontario! 🌟 From securing 1st in the Kicking Horse and Panorama Canada DH Cup, multiple top spots in Quebec DH Cup and top 5 finishes in Crankworks Whistler Canadian Open and Air DH - wow, she truly is next level. 🤘
This is what GIVE’R means to her: “Showing up with everything you got. Pushing your limits, staying committed and making the most of every opportunity. Living in Southern Ontario means getting creative with my riding, with my training and making the best use of terrain available to me. It’s about adapting, staying motivated and enjoying the rush that comes when all the hard work clicks into place. GIVE’R also means sharing that energy with others. I’m passionate about mentoring younger riders, especially young woman who are just getting into the sport or want to try out racing. Whether it’s offering tips, encouragement or simply showing what’s possible. I want to help build a supportive and exclusive community where more young woman feel empowered to race, ride and GIVE’R their all!”
We are so grateful to support you Isla in your mountain biking journey. 🙌
#MountainBike #GIVERgrant
BAILEN BRIGGS
MOUNTAIN BIKE RECIPIENT
Huge Congrats to 15yr. old Bailen Briggs from Rossland, BC! 🤘 Bailen lives and breathes mountain biking and is a standout rider in the Kootenays and beyond! He has multiple first place finishes in local races at Red Mountain, Nelson and Mt. Abriel. Bailen just finished his first full season of the BC Downhill Cup series with a 17th overall out of more than 70 riders. Watching Bailen ride his bike is pure bliss, he’s incredible smooth and stylish. He trains and races with the @kootenaymountainbiking Gravity Team and is eager to get things rolling this season! He is one of the nicest guys around, with a great attitude and growth mindset.
We are excited to see where you take your riding Bailen and are stoked to support you in your journey! 🙌
#MountainBike #GIVERgrant
FREESKI RECIPIENT
🤘 Age 16 and hailing from Kimberley, BC this standout freeride skier has been competing since age nine and continues to raise the bar each season.
After qualifying for the Junior Freeride Championships in Breckenridge and finishing 13th in her final U15 year, she stepped into the U19 Ski Women category and delivered an incredible season—earning 1st at Red Mountain (3*), 2nd at Kicking Horse (3*), and 1st at Kimberley (2*).
In 2025, she placed 3rd at the Junior Freeride Championships in Kirkwood, California finishing as the top Canadian female skier and 2nd overall in the Americas for IFSA season rankings.
She has now officially qualified for the Freeride Junior World Championships in Austria this January!
An incredible journey for Sawyer, growing up in the small town of Kimberley and not having a Freeride Club to join, she has stayed committed to her craft and dedicated herself to becoming one of the best and youngest freeskiers in North America.🌟
Bennett Moore
FREESKI RECIPIENT
🌟 Age 13, this Burlington Ontario-based freeskier is already turning heads on the competitive circuit. In 2025, he became the youngest athlete to qualify for the Canada Cup, competing against 75 of the country’s top skiers across events in BC and Nova Scotia.
On the provincial stage, Bennett was the only U12 athlete to reach the podium in all six Ontario Timber Tour events and last year was the youngest competitor to land a Cork 7 in competition as a U14.
With a strong track record of podium finishes since 2023 and a passion for progression on and off the snow, this young athlete is one to watch!
Bennett really impressed us with how well spoken he is for being so young and has clear goals and aspirations in 2026. Best of luck to you Bennett, GIVE’R! 🤘
