INSURANCE REPs Insurance Scheme

With mass-participation events on the rise, ensuring you are insured to cope with the increase in demand will prove vital over the coming months.

later, have helped propel the once-niche sport of triathlon onto the front pages.

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The Brownlee brothers’ successes have undoubtedly had a significant impact on people in this country. According to British Triathlon – the national governing body for triathlon Great Britain – 150,000 (1) people signed up to participate in the three-sport event last year. This is undoubtedly good news for both the sport and the health of the individuals taking part.

In the UK, the triathlon season runs from May to September. Many aspiring triathletes have questioned race organisers’ decisions to run events in traditionally warmer months. But as more seasoned participants are quick to point out, climbing out of a swimming pool and cycling for almost 25 miles in cold weather while still wet not only makes for a less enjoyable experience but it can also pose a significant health risk.

The increase in people signing up for triathlons is also undeniably good news for fitness instructors who are tasked with getting their clients into the right shape for race day. In a bid to replicate race day conditions, many clients ask their instructors to conduct training outdoors. But whether they are conducting outdoor exercises which lend themselves to one particular triathlon discipline, or encouraging their clients to finish a ‘brick’ session (two disciplines completed back-to-back), fitness instructors need

he herculean efforts of Alistair and Jonny Brownlee at last summer’s Olympic Games in London, together with the latter’s capturing of the ITU World Championship title three months

to consider whether they have the necessary type and level of insurance.

Fitness instructors insured through the REPs Insurance Scheme are permitted to provide triathlon-related training outdoors as long as it is a means to improving the client’s fitness (rather than solely coaching them in the individual sports of swimming, cycling and running for competitive purposes; in respect of cycling, this means clients cannot be coached in the sport of road racing). The training must also be delivered in such a way that both parties’ safety is guaranteed at all times.

The REPs Insurance Scheme, arranged through activity insurance specialists Thistle Insurance Services Limited, supports nearly two-thirds of REPs members for all activities they undertake in line with their level of qualification and experience. The basis of cover for civil liability – including public liability, professional indemnity, products liability, libel and slander and legal defence costs – is provided on a claims occurring basis which ensures the highest protection for members if the unexpected happens.

The continued dominance of the international triathlon stage by Alistair and Jonny Brownlee is likely to inspire more people to try the sport for themselves. The demanding fitness levels required to compete in a triathlon therefore means the services and expertise of exercise instructors will continue to be needed. The REPs Insurance Scheme enables members to carry out their professional duties knowing they have the insurance protection required by their Code of Ethical

Practice, leaving them free to focus their attention of getting their clients ready for the start line.

Endnotes [1] British Triathlon statistics, 2013

To find out more about the REPs Insurance Scheme, please call 020 7632 2022 or visit www.exerciseregister.org

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The REPs Journal 2013;28(September):26 The REPS Journal 2009;00(Month):00-00