KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Riding a motorcycle presents many hazards which increase during inclement weather and require special skills.

Base riders recently got to test those skills in a motorcycle all-call and safety competition held here in the rain Sept. 21.

"As a rider, we need to learn how to ride in the rain because Okinawa does get a lot of rain," said Staff Sgt. Andy Chang, 390th Intelligence Squadron, a rider coach.

The course started with a safety briefing from the 18th Wing Safety office. They then went out to an obstacle course made up of common situations riders could encounter out on the road and already have seen in the basic rider's course. A total of 32 riders attended the briefing and 23 participated in competition.

Despite a rainy day base officials decided to hold the all-call.

"Most of the riders thought it would be canceled due to the weather," said Tsutomu Yamashiro, 18th Wing Safety motorcycle training instructor. "But we decided to press on because riders do need to learn how to be safe in the rain, especially here in Okinawa."

The rain allowed riders to gain experience and test their abilities on their bikes during unfavorable weather.

"If the riders can push themselves and learn the limitations of their bike here in a safe environment, then it will prevent less mishaps when they out there on the road," said Marine Master Sgt. Miroslaw Zuczkiewicz, III Marine Expeditionary Force rider coach.

For more information about the motorcycle safety courses, contact the 18th Wing Safety office at 634-2450.