GETTING STARTED
Written by Bill Hauser, USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach
Triathlon is one of the fastest growing participatory sports in the United States and much of that growth over the past decade has come in the youth and junior divisions. USA Triathlon, the National Governing Body of the sport, categorizes athletes 13-15 years of age in the youth elite division, while the junior elite age division is comprised of athletes between the ages of 16-19.
Compared to some of the more traditional youth sports of soccer, basketball, baseball and softball, getting started in youth triathlon presents a number of unique challenges for participants and parents alike. Because it is a relatively new
4 USA TRIATHLON YOUTH GUIDE
sport, many parents have never participated in a triathlon and therefore aren’t able to draw upon their personal experience to provide direction or support like they may with baseball or basketball. Likewise, because it is a newer sport, there aren’t as many formal leagues or instructional programs as there are with some of the more traditional sports. Fortunately, the number of instructional programs and events are growing each year, so these issues are becoming less of a challenge for youth triathletes and their parents.
Moreover, some of the same factors that make triathlon different from traditional sports provide it with unique opportunities for younger athletes. Because it is not a team sport like soccer or baseball, participants are not dependent upon a
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