Florida Children Get Taste Of Triathlon

The Tallahassee triathlon clinic hosted nearly 50 kids.

Soaked little ones kept a close eye on Florida State University swimming standout Steve Caudill as he floated on top of shimmering water Sunday afternoon and gripped the floating garnet and gold ropes. He stretched his long torso and began kicking his feet to create “boiling water bubbles” in the FSU Morcom Aquatics Center off Orange Avenue in southwest Tallahassee. Soon after, young swimmers took a shot at making their own tiny bubbles.

Nearly 50 children ages 5 to 15 were more than willing to get wet and learn about the swimming portion of being in a triathlon during an introductory training clinic with the Tallahassee Youth Triathlon Series. The event, co-sponsored by Super Lube, allowed children to split into smaller groups and take on activities ranging from basic skills to swim drills.

“This is a training clinic leading up to the first race,” said Michael Weyant, race director for YTS. “We put these on to get the kids used to swimming, biking and running and give a comfort level to the parents who may not have been exposed to triathlons.”

Weyant said the group puts on three triathlon events per year and the first will be May 20, followed by triathlons on July 15 and Sept. 2. Last year, Weyant said the group had an average of 200 children participate in each event.

According to the group, triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and children-based triathlons are a major contributor to that trend.

Read more: Tallahassee.com