About

If you are thinking about doing a triathlon the best thing is to meet someone that has already started! You’ll find that you are not the only one that is daunted but excited at the challenge. Everyone was a newbie at some point.

Triathlons are comprised of three separate disciplines – swimming, cycling and running. You don’t have to be an expert in any of these. In fact, you don’t need to have any experience to begin training with Blackwater Triathlon Club. Training, encouragement and the experience of the group have helped non-swimmers, nervous cyclists and couch potatoes to reach their goal and complete and compete in triathlons.

To get started, you will need a wet-suit,  swimming goggles,  a bike (you don’t need a Tour de France version, a well maintained mountain bike will do), a safe helmet, and a pair of runners will be all you need.

There is one thing for certain, if you do decide to do your first triathlon and continue to do more you will become healthy and fit. Healthier and fitter than almost any other sport.

You can train and train in preparation but the reality is after building a basic level of fitness you just need to enter and do your first race! You will find you are not the only person entering for the first time and will most likely not be the last home. Triathlons are usually started in waves which means that after the swim starts competitors will be spread out over the full distance of the course. You will not feel like you are the only one left to finish.

Triathlons cover various distances ranging from 60 minutes to 11+ hours. Below are the main races that make up a majority of triathlon events.

Sprint

750m swim – 20km cycle – 5km run

Olympic Distance

1500m swim – 40km cycle – 10km run

Half Ironman

(70.3) 1900m swim – 90km cycle – 21.1km run

Long Course

3000m swim –  120km cycle – 30km run

Ironman

3800m swim – 180km cycle – 42.2km run

Best of all it’s a great outlet to meet people of similar ability and interests even learn from them and share experiences.