Frequently Asked Questions

• I can't tread water very well.  Do any of your swims start on land?

• Most triathlons will start with a land based swim start.  What that means is you will either start entirely on land and run/walk into the water or you will be in shallow water where you can touch the ground.  All the Try-A-Tri or My First Triathlon races offer either a land start or the opportunity to wait on land until the race starts. NOTE - if you will be wearing a wetsuit, you will find that you float very easily in the water and therefore won't have to work hard to tread water.

• What happens if I feel like I can't finish the swim?  What do I do?

  • If you feel like you are panicking or too tired to continue, lie on your back and float . If you can, take off your swim cap and wave it in the air. A lifeguard will come and get you.  The most important thing is to remain calm. If you are just feeling tired, by all means, you can just take a rest at a nearby kayak. When you feel rested you may proceed with the race. You will not be disqualified for outside assistance. Safety always comes first!

•  How do I get the sand off my feet after the swim?

  Most swims will have a bit of a run to get to the bikes.  Often the run is through grass which will naturally clean your feet.  If you get to your bike and you have sand between your toes, you may want to use a towel to wipe it off, or some people bring a container like a Tupperware which they fill with water to rinse their feet.   I have done lots of races and never really had any problems with sand remaining on my feet after the swim.

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• What should I wear during the race?

  • There are lots of options here.  Many people just bike in their bathing suit, which isn't as uncomfortable as one might first imagine.  Men need to finish the race wearing a shirt of some sort, but women can race in just a bathing suit if they like.  If you are a little more modest than that, you can take time to put on a pair of shorts after the swim (either cycling or running) and a top but be aware that there are no changing tents so anything you put on will go over what you are already wearing.   If you are wearing a wetsuit, you should wear whatever you will biking in under the wetsuit to save time and make transition easier.

• Where do I place my bike in the transition area?

• The transition area is the fenced in lot where the bike racks sit.  The racks are organized into age groups (Men 20-24, Men 25-29, etc.) and the duathlon racks are separate from the triathlon racks.  You need to find the rack that corresponds with your age group and the race that you're doing (tri or du) and from there it's first come first serve.

• What kind of equipment do I need to do a race?