Equipment Needs for Youth Triathlon Racing
As we begin to look at the 2009 triathlon racing season I would like to address equipment needs for our young athletes. Often I am asked by parents what type of bike should I get my child. Do I need to buy him or her aero-bars and aero-wheels to be competitive? I will attempt to address equipment for our youth based on needs versus wants. I define needs as something we must have; and wants as things we would like to have.
So many times parents feel obligated to buy their kids the equipment they see in
the magazines, at races or triathlon websites; equipment like the
elites/professionals use. This would be in the wants column. In reality, kids
don’t need this type of high performance equipment for their skill level or race
distances. While I realize this equipment makes the kids look like little
professionals; it doesn’t really help their performance. Remember they are kids
not adults or little pros.
I will use the bike as an example; since it is normally the most expensive purchase.
Equipment like aero-bars and aero-wheels are designed for athletes sustaining
speeds in excess of 25 MPH for 40 kilometers on 112 mile races; not 5k or 10k bike
legs. Kids can't sustain these speeds; while many folks look at race results and
see their child's average speed on the bike was 22-25MPH, the reality is this
number is flawed because of two things: first the child didn't ride for an hour
so this number is an estimate; secondly, a young athlete doesn't have the aerobic
capacity and can't generate the power/wattage to sustain 22-25 MPH. So a better
way to state the bike time is simply saying they rode a 10K bike course in 19 minutes
and forego listing the average speed.
Most youth compete in triathlon based on a couple of reasons; either they have a parent that competes and introduced the sport to them or they have a friend that competes and suggested they try triathlon. Whatever the reason there are some basic equipment needs to compete in the sport.
The basic equipment requirements for triathlon are:
- Swim: Swim/race suit that will allow you to swim, bike and run in the same gear without being constricted and a pair of swim goggles that don’t leak.
- Bike: Any type of bike that fits you properly; is safe and in good working order. As your child competes more often I recommend purchasing a road bike; it is best for bike control and versatility.
- Run: A pair of good fitting running shoes. I do recommend you spend the money for good shoes; it’s cheaper than knee surgery later.
- Caveat:All equipment should be in good working order or serviceable.
Triathlon is a great sport; our youth can complete with the basic equipment listed above and have a great time in the sport. Of course we also have some very exceptional youth out there that do have a combination of some of the items on the want list.
I am not knocking parents that buy the extra equipment; ultimately it’s a parent’s decision to purchase equipment for their kids. I always say, “It’s whatever you wallet can afford.
I have listed what I consider the basic equipment for the new parents in the sport to help alleviate some of the pressures they may feel when getting their child into the sport of triathlon. As a youth athlete it still has to be about fun and learning proper skills and techniques.
Remember as a coach; especially with our young athletes we are part coach, part sports psychologist and part encourager. What and how we say it has a major impact on our youth.
If we build the engine (physical fitness and ability); the equipment will follow as they progress in the sport.
Boris Robinson is a youth elite and junior specific coach. He is the Director of Training for the Hawaii Youth Triathlon Club and the Director of T3Multisports Triathlon Club in Round Rock, Texas. He has written triathlon training plans specifically for age appropriate development of young triathletes available at www.trainingpeaks.com/coachBoris Boris is a USA Triathlon Level II Elite Coach, a USA Cycling Level III Coach, and a member of the National Council of Youth Sports. Contact Coach Boris at: Boris G. Robinson