SENLAC — Dezyrae Paradis, a recent high school graduate from Unity Composite High, had the opportunity to chase her dreams on a new motocross track, a national one. The teen attended the 2026 Canadian Amateur Grand National Championship in Walton, Ont., Aug 11 to 15, where she competed against 32 other women from across Canada.
Paradis got her first dirt bike when she was four years old and began racing at age 10. She has been through eight dirt bikes, with her favourite being her Kawasaki 250F and her current bike being a 2017 Kawasaki KX250F.
“I always had a fire in my soul, to win, to go fast, to be the best. Once I got a taste of the adrenaline rush, I couldn’t let it go, and I’ve spent the rest of my life chasing it,” said the teen.
Over the past eight years, the young rider has attended many Midwest championships before hitting the national track. While some riders receive sponsorships or have a team of people willing to help, Paradis has been going solo, with some occasional help from her parents, Carrie Manchester and Jason Paradis.
As a member of the Unity Motocross Club, Paradis said she has gotten lots of advice over the years from other riders, including professional female riders, and one of her friend’s fathers.
“When I needed some support in Ontario, he was there via phone. He told me to ride fast, kick butt and most importantly, look up,” said Paradis.
While at the national championships, Paradis was in awe of how many women were competing, saying she had never seen so many women interested in motocross in the same room.
“I cannot believe there were 33 riders on the gate and racing with me all at the same time; it was so packed.”
Paradis placed 29th out of the 33 riders, and although she didn’t do as well as she thought, she is taking everything she has learned and hopes to do an even better job next year.
“I had to remind myself it’s not all about positions and podiums, but about the effort you put in to make it here, remembering the ‘prize’ is the journey itself,” said Paradis.
As the teen continues to look forward to her future as a female motocross rider, she hopes more young girls take up the extreme sport.
“I tell female riders to push themselves. When they start winning in their circuit, move on to the next. Always push yourself and put yourself somewhere you can actually learn, not just beat the same women every weekend,” she said.
With racing season over, Paradis will continue to work at Ganter’s Plumbing and Heating in Unity, with plans to become a journeyman plumber, and hopefully get the weekends off to fulfill her dreams of racing.
“I just want to achieve the feeling of being free and flying through the air every day for the rest of my life.”
