2024 KIDS TRY-Triathlon Preparation Guide

Written By Nikki Giles

BEFORE THE BIG DAY

  • Make sure your child is registered online;

  • Check out the maps to review the course;

  • Talk about the course with your child – what are they going to expect - head on down to the Mackay Aquatic & Recreation Centre (MARC) and take a dip and look around;

  • Prepare your kids for the run with a practice encouraging slightly shorter strides, being relaxed and breathing out during the run;      

  • If your little one is riding (triathlon);

    • Practice riding along a path with them (stay to the left);

    • Practice riding the distance with your kids and instruct to stay on the left side unless they are passing;

    • Check that their bike seat is the right height, tyres are inflated, chain is in good working order and that they can manage the brakes;

  • Practice putting shoes on, putting a shirt on and buckling up their helmet with wet feet and hands a few times Elastic shoe laces or Velcro sneakers help the kids transition with ease;

  • Allow them to be independent. Remember you won’t be able to help them in the transition area on the day, talk to them about how they will be able to do it by themselves, they are AWESOME!

PREPARATION – Be prepared 

  • Pack the night before with your child;

  • Check their equipment:

  • Goggles fit;

  • Bike tyres are pumped up;

  • Chain is clean and on properly;

  • Helmet fits perfectly – every child must wear a helmet; 

  • Fill up water bottles;

  • Shirt for the ride (torso is to be covered - tri suit or rashie is accepted;

  • Sneakers match and packed.

RACE DAY

REGISTRATION and WARM-UP:

  • Arrive between 3.00pm and 3.15pm to park, car parking is at the front University Car Park;

  • Sign-in and receive a coloured wrist band;

  • Help your kids set-up their transition area;

  • A good warm up prior to the swim start is a must - our Coaches will be helping the kids warm up at 3.35pm! 

AQUATHLON – 5-6 YEARS / 7-9 YEARS / 10-12 YEARS

  • Find a spot that is easy for your child to locate their shoes and hat after the swim;

  • Arrange running shoes, hat and water bottle (encourage to only have a sip before their run);

  • Spend some time to show your kids where the exit gate is so they know where to go for the run. 

    • 5-6 Years complete 1 lap of the run course (500m)

    • 7-9 Years complete 2 laps of the run course (900m)

    • 10-12 Years complete 3 laps of the run course (1.3km)

TRIATHLON 7-9 YEARS / 10-12 YEARS

  • Find a spot to park your child’s bike that is easy for your child to locate when running from the pool area;

  • Arrange shirt (if not worn in the swim - we recommend sun shirt or tri-suit), helmet, running shoes and water bottle (encourage to only have a sip before the ride and the run);

  • Spend some time showing your child where the exit and entry is for the bike course (mount line and dismount line) and the running course so they know where to go;

  • Provide tips on how your child can find their bike after the swim (you won’t be there to help them during the race) - All the bikes look the same after a swim;

  • Shirts on and helmets done up before touching the bike;

  • Kids must walk their bike to the mount line clearly marked before getting on their bikes;

  • They are to dismount at the clearly marked area and walk their bike to the same position on the rack.

The Bike Course

The bike course can be daunting as all the young triathletes are on the course at the same time (age group). Kids typically will go hard and quickly exhaust themselves, encourage them to ease into the ride to reduce and control stress;

  • Kids must be cautious and safe on the bike course at all times: 

    • Stay to the left – kids must stay to the left of the roadway (unless every overtaking);

    • When passing – it is encouraged that kids tell the rider in front of them that they are going to do so – pass and then move back to the left of the path; 

    • Being passed - they must maintain the same speed so the rider can pass and move back to the left side of the path; 

  • If your child needs to stop instruct them to pull off on the left side of the path;

  • If their chain falls off or a tyre goes flat on the course – do not panic – we will have a volunteer who will assist them and get them back in the fun.

  • 7-9 Years complete 3 laps of the bike course (3km)

  • 10-12 Years complete 4 laps of the bike course (4km)

The Run Course

The bike to run is tough for new triathletes. Even good runners struggle to run well after riding. The last stages of the triathlon run are mentally and physically difficult. With a swim in the arms and a bike ride in the legs, finishing off the run will test your little ones to push through. Give them a big cheer from the sidelines and be encouraging!

  • 7-9 Years complete 2 laps of the run course (900m)

  • 10-12 Years complete 3 laps of the bike course (1.3km)

The Finish Line

Encourage your child. The mental components are hard to teach but encouragement in the form of finishing and feeling good about themselves is paramount! 

Celebrate their finish! This is an amazing experience for them! They are a TRIATHLETE!!!

Prizes

We will have loads of fantastic prizes called randomly after the event. Please spend some time and stay back! The prizes are called based on kids race numbers!

Nikki Giles
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