Trystars is an introduction into the sport of triathlon in the 5-11 year range which has a focus on fun & enjoyment, while encouraging kids to be with friends and make new friends.

It enables kids to develop skills, ability and fitness in a non-competitive environment. Trystars is a Triathlon Australia national program which is managed on a state by state basis to encourage healthy and active participation in the sport. It plays an integral role as the first step of the participation pathway for all juniors.

Triathlon Australia only sanctions youngsters to race competitively at 12 years old, hence the division between Competitive Juniors and Juniors. Once you turn 12 before 31st December you become a Competitive Junior. Bunbury Tri Club aims to provide good quality coaching sessions in all three triathlon disciplines to help our Juniors develop the necessary skills to become Triathletes.

The aim for this year’s program will be to provide quality coached fun activities and game-based training sessions to help develop skills and confidence in all 3 disciplines, to help our youngsters move from Juniors to Triathletes. The club makes use of suitable safe training venues and coaches with excellent skills and enthusiasm to teach and encourage the children.

A great deal of work goes on behind the scenes to organise the training and events for the Juniors through the season by club volunteers. Assistance from parents is very much appreciated and without parent involvement we cannot successfully run our training and events safely.

The Bunbury Triathlon Club is planning a 6 week program introducing students to the sport of Triathlon. The focus of these sessions will be on skill development across the disciplines of swimming, riding and running. As well as structured training sessions, participants will get to experience the thrill of participating in some real triathlons!

The course is open to primary school students in Year 2 (age 7) through to Year 6 (age 12). Participants will need to have a bike and be able to swim 50 metres. Activities will be structured to cater for a wide range of skill level and ability with the overriding focus for students participating to have fun and gain improved skills and confidence in swimming, bike riding and running.

Training sessions will be held after school in the afternoons at 4.00 pm at various venues around Bunbury. We are looking for expressions of interest in the training sessions prior to setting the final dates for the training to go ahead.

Participants are also encouraged to participate in Bunbury Triathlon Club Trystar events. See site website for full details of location and dates. The approximate distances of these events are a swim leg of 100 metres, ride of 3km and run of 1km.

Paul Hanson will be the course facilitator with assistance provided by the Bunbury Triathlon Club. Parents (or responsible adult) are encouraged to be in attendance at these sessions and also to assist in the activities each week.

There is no cost to the program for the 2020/21 season.

Participant numbers are limited. To participate in this program your child will need to be a member of Triathlon WA with club membership for insurance purposes. Please select Join and choose Bunbury Triathlon Club as your club when prompted. http://www.triathlon.org.au//Membership/Annual_Membership.htm
See the club Facebook page to register your interest in the training program. This joint membership with TWA and Bunbury Tri Club also includes free entry to all Bunbury Tri Club events.

For more information, contact Paul Hanson (Bunbury Triathlon Club) on 0447 061 927

trystars@bunburytriclub.com

Bring on a fun, fit and fantastic summer!!!

Policy in relation to Junior Competitors

The following guidelines for junior competitors are in line with Triathlon Australia rules and regulations.
Children between the ages of 7-11 participate non-competitively.
This is to maximise participation and the achievement of getting over the finish line rather than worrying about times and places.

Distances for children can be any of the following below:

We understand that your child may be an excellent swimmer, rider, runner or triathlete! However these distances have been set and deemed appropriate for their age category by Triathlon Australia

Bike requirements for Junior Competitors

3.13 For all junior athletes up to and including 13 years competing in age group categories at events the following equipment restrictions shall apply:

1. The bicycle may be on-road, off-road or youth style. No “time trial” style bikes are allowed. No recumbent style bicycles are allowed.
2. Only standard drop, straight, or curved handlebars are allowed. No clip-on or time trial bars may be attached to the bike or used during competition.
3. For all events wheels must have at least 16 spokes and the construction of the rim shall exclude the use of composite fibres.
4. No disc wheels or wheel covers are allowed.
5. Only detachable tyres and tubes shall be used- commonly referred to as “clincher” tyres. A detachable tube means that the tube is detachable from the tyre casing. Tyres where the tube is not detachable from the tyre – commonly known as “singles” – shall not be allowed.
6. Time trial style helmets are not permitted.

3.14 In all draft legal events for Elite, Under-23, Junior and Youth competitors and TA approved draft legal events, the ITU Competition Rules* apply including, but not limited to:

1. Road bikes only and ITU approved wheels as per the current Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) approved wheel list.
2. Only traditional drop handlebars are permitted;
3. The handlebars must be plugged;
4. Clip-on bars will be permitted provided they do not exceed the foremost line of the brake levers;
5. Straight forward facing clip-on bars must have a solid factory bridge or be touching each other;

3.15 In all draft legal events for Age Group competitors, the ITU Competition Rules* apply including, but not limited to:

1. Wheels shall have at least 12 spokes;
2. Disc wheels are not permitted in draft legal events
3. Only traditional drop handlebars are permitted.
4. The handlebars must be plugged;
5. Clip-ons are not allowed.

ITU Competition Rules can be downloaded from www.triathlon.org
UCI Approved equipment can be downloaded from
(http://www.uci.ch/inside-uci/rules-and-regulations/equipment-165067)