Kids To Get Triathlon Exposure
Whatever the sport, its future essentially lies steadfastly in youth development. Far too often, succession planning is never even considered within our sports scheme.
Realizing this, the BVI Triathlon Federation is embarking on a venture to develop young triathletes with the first event slated for 8:30am Saturday in Nanny Cay.
"Most tri athletes in the territory are over 30 so there's a great need to find some young athletes," noted Chris Ghiorse who's coordinating the event for the Triathlon Federation. "This development event is part of a series to be done over the next 4-5 months depending on the success of this first event."
Saturday's introductory fun event targets children under 15—that is 12-14 and under 11—a child can't be turning 15 before 11:59 pm on Dec 31, 2012—basically.
The event format is 1/20th of an Olympic distance Triathlon—a 75m swim, 2000m bike bride and a 500m run—which will last no more than 10 minutes and targets relay teams and individuals who choose to do all three disciplines.
Registration, which runs from 7:30-8:15am is free and bikes and helmets will be provided.
Chris said he's hoping 30 kids will show up. "the enthusiasm is there," the cycling guru noted, pointing out that the challenge will be kids getting to Nanny Cay on time for the event. "I'm looking forward to seeing how this first event goes."
From his visits to schools, Chris said several children have indicated an interest in doing all three disciplines. He noted that the disciplines are short. "The idea is to offer multiple events," he said. "A child who shows up just to do the swim, might be keen to do the biking, running or all three. I don't want to call a number, but I'm preparing for 30 individual kids or 10 teams of three—but I'm actually preparing for more that that. I know 10-15 kids who would like to have a go at all three events."
With water involved, Chris said he'd like to see parents showing up and not just signing a form for their children to participate. "Water is more serious than riding a bike and my whole ethos is about doing fun things safely and competitively," he said.
Triathlon is an Olympic sport and is also held at the CAC, Pan Am, Commonwealth Games. It's also a lucrative sport with many races not only held internationally but within the region.
Unlike team sports, it takes just one motivated and disciplined individual to be developed in Triathlon or any individual sport.
Interested in finding out more about the youth triathlon event? Call Chris at 542-1981.