More information can be found by visiting www.usatriathlon.org/audience/coaching/ become-a-coach


Common Youth Triathlon Distances* RACE AGE**


SWIM Youth 7-8 Youth 9-10 Youth 11-12 50-100 meters 100 meters 200 meters Youth 13 - 15 200-375 meters


BIKE 2-3k


3-5k 5-7k 8-10k


RUN 1k


1k 1.5-2k 2-2.5K


* Distances are categorized by using the category in which two of the distances fall. If all three are in separate categories, the distance is categorized by the bike. **USA Triathlon rules define race age as your age on December 31 in the year of the competition with the exception of the USA Triathlon Splash and Dash Youth Aquathlon Series.


Event size can range from below 50 to over 3,000 competitors. Events such as the Chicago Triathlon have over 8,000 competitors racing in the youth, sprint- and Olympic-distance events during the festival weekend. On the flip side, clubs coordinate “club-only” events that can have 20-30 participants competing in a fun, no-pressure event. Many times these events are not timed, but create a memorable experience for competitors, families and communities.


History 1982: U.S. Triathlon Association and the American Triathlon Association merged under one unified national governing body called the U.S. Triathlon Association, with 1,500 members. The years since have seen the sport grow exponentially in the United States. Now known as USA Triathlon, membership stands at over 510,000.


Triathlon in the United States has its roots set firmly in Southern California. The early races were held in San Diego’s Mission Bay. It was only natural that the initial interest for a national governing body came from the same area.


1988: Tri Fed planned a move to its current home of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a move that was consistent with the long-term Olympic goal of the sport and the federation, as the United State Olympic Committee is based in Colorado Springs.


1996: Triathlon Federation USA changed its


name to the present USA Triathlon, a move that further identified the federation with other USOC-recognized National Governing Bodies. USA Triathlon supports national teams on several different levels and many developmental programs for athletes, race directors, coaches and officials.


2000: USA Triathlon selected its first Olympic Team. Jennifer Gutierrez, Sheila Taormina and Joanna Zeiger were on the women’s team; and Ryan Bolton, Hunter Kemper and Nick Radkewich were on the men’s team. Zeiger went on to finish fourth at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Kemper had the best men’s finish in 17th.


2004: In the Athens Olympic Games, Susan Williams takes home the bronze medal for the U.S.


2006: USA Triathlon announced that its membership had grown to 70,000 and the number of sanctioned races exceeded 1,800.


2007: USA Triathlon reached the 100,000-annual- member milestone.


2011: First Youth coaching clinic was held. USA Triathlon surpassed 550,000 members and continues to grow. The organization sanctions around 4,300 events annually and has 571 certified race directors, 975 official clubs and over 2,100 certified coaches. Additionally, 2012 saw youth members grow to over 43,000.


Future Triathlon has experienced monumental growth in the 21st century.


SGMA estimates that nearly 2.2 million people are currently active in multisport. We expect that number to eclipse 3 million in the next five years. The largest age group for participation is 40-44 followed closely by 35-39. We expect this trend to continue. USA Triathlon also expects to see youth participation grow at unparalleled rates with new programing and Foundation dollars earmarked for this segment of the sport.


In addition, USA Triathlon will emphasize the participatory aspects of the sport more throughout the next decade to encourage those from all walks of life to engage. These efforts will achieve fruition when triathlon becomes a household word and the multisport lifestyle is enjoyed by families in every state, county, city and town across the nation.


USA TRIATHLON YOUTH GUIDE 7


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