GROWING NUMBERS In addition to the obvious growth in kids’
events, USA Triathlon also has seen an uptick in its youth membership numbers over the past decade. In 2006, youth membership was at 13,745, comprising about 14 percent of total members. By the end of 2011, it was up to 42,626 young triathletes, mak- ing up 29 percent of mem- bership. That demographic included 36,454 kids under the age of 16, with 52 percent male and 48 percent female. The 2012 youth nationals for 7-15-year-olds sold out, prompting USAT to increase the number of entries for 2013 to accommodate the burgeon- ing young population. New teams and clubs for
toward fostering a new generation of multi- sport buffs. While there are a number of reasons for the
“A lot of people got into triathlon in the 1980s and 1990s and now they have kids, which is drawing them in.”
kids have formed to capitalize on and accommodate those rising numbers. Bob Seebohar’s Kids that Tri team in Littleton, Colo., is one of them. Founded in 2009, the group started with three athletes and is now up to 140 5-19-year-olds. “It has been amazing to see the growth in Colorado, but also nationwide I’m seeing more and more youth triathlon teams popping up,” says Seebohar. With the adult triathlon demographic growing as well, it’s only natural that these individuals would gravitate
growth, perhaps the most obvious is the fact that there are more parents today who are also triathletes. “A lot of parents are getting into triathlon and they want their kids to share that excitement, too,” explains Seebohar. Indeed, Begg’s dad ran a local triathlon club, making it a natural activity for her to try as a youngster. Steve Kelley, USAT’s Athlete Development Coordinator agrees. “It’s definitely generational if you look at the age of the sport,” he says. “A lot of people got into triathlon in the 1980s and 1990s and now they have kids, which is drawing them in.” He also suggests that a
familiarity with the sport in the
general population has helped increase involve- ment in the younger ranks. “I run into a lot more people who have done a triathlon now,” he says. “You no longer have to explain what it is.” To be sure, today kids grow up watching triathlon as an Olympic sport and they can en- counter their favorite professionals on the front of their breakfast cereal boxes. Kids are simply riding the coattails of this growth and seeing triathlon as a viable sport at younger ages.
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Youth membership growth can be attributed in part to parents who enter the sport and want their kids to be part of the multisport experience.