Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

My child may not be able to complete the distances for his/her age group

TRi KiDS is all about creating a positive, fun and rewarding experience. If your child would be better suited for the age group lower than their birth year would put them in please contact us. There are no barriers to participation at TRi KiDS.

If I am unable to make the race, can I give my entry to a friend?

You are permitted to transfer race entries, as long as you do so by the applicable deadline. More details are available here.

After the deadline has passed, we are no longer able to offer transfers under any exception. You may also not give away an entry without properly transferring it. If someone else races under your name and is injured, or causes an accident, that person will not be covered by any protection typically afforded to an athlete through the insurance policy.

Are there refunds for cancelled races due to weather?

Unfortunately no. Weather is an uncontrollable factor as are uncontrollable circumstances and every effort will be made to proceed with a safe event. It is possible that the swim and/or the bike portions of the event are cancelled. If this is the case, then a swim/run or bike/run or a run only event will take place. Participants will still receive their t-shirt, race kits, and medal. TRi KiDS races are outdoor, rain or shine events. There are no refunds or rain-dates.

If the event must be cancelled in its entirety, you will be informed as soon as possible. In that case, our refund policy will apply.

What happens after online registration closes? Can my child still participate?

Online registration will close if the race reaches maximum capacity, or closes according to the schedule which is typically the Sunday, one week prior to the race. There is no race day registration.

Depending on the event, there may be a short waitlist available. More details are posted on the website as each race sells out.

Do race kits have to be picked up the day before the race?

Picking up your race kit the day before makes your race day hassle and stress-free. With the changes to race protocols we also encourage both athletes and parents to attend the orientation sessions during race kit pick up.
We will have race kits available for pick up on race day for those coming from out of town and those unable to pick up the day prior.

Will I receive a refund if my child is unable to participate?

All registrations for in-person TRi KiDS events are non-refundable after the purchase is complete. You have the option to purchase registration insurance when you register your athlete to cover a limited number of scenarios that would prevent your athlete from participating.

Should your athlete no longer be able to participate (and you are not eligible to use registration insurance), you can request a deferral or transfer the entry, subject to specific event deadlines and fees. More details on our refund policy are available here.

The processing fee charged by Race Roster and applicable tax on the processing fee are non-refundable.

Equipment

Are life jackets permitted? Mandatory? Supplied?

Athletes in the 3-5 age group are accompanied by an adult within arms’ length and have the option of wearing a life jacket.

Athletes in the 6-7 year old age group and older age groups should be very comfortable in the water as they are swimming unassisted. Life jackets are offered so that athletes feel 100% comfortable swimming in the race environment. The life jacket is not intended as an aid for non-swimmers. It is not a requirement for athletes to continuously swim their designated distance. Resting by using the lane ropes or side walls is permitted and encouraged.

At our event in Burlington, athletes in the 6-7 year old age group are required to wear a lifejacket, as per the policies of the City of Burlington. No exceptions are available for this rule; further details will be provided to athletes and parents closer to the event.

Life jackets are offered to all age groups and supplied on deck.

What does my child need to participate?

All your child needs is a bicycle (road bike or mountain bike) or tricycle. Scooters are NOT permitted. PROPERLY FITTED bike helmet with functioning chin strap, swim suit, goggles (optional), running shoes (no sandals or Crocs), shorts and shirt, water bottle, hat, towels and sunscreen.
Helmets must comply with either CPSC or CSA standards as indicated by a label on the inside.

Are scooters allowed?

Scooters are not permitted in the race. Balance Bikes are permitted in the 3 to 5 age group only. Training wheels are permitted in any age group.

What are the rules for clipless pedals?

Clipless pedals are permitted at any age, with the following conditions: For ages 13 and under, the cleat must be recessed into the cycling shoe, such that the sole of the shoe, not the cleat, makes full contact with the ground. The athlete must be able to clip into both sides of the pedal. For ages 14 and up, all clipless pedal systems are permitted. Visit our Race Details page or contact us with any equipment questions before race day.

Are cage pedals permitted?

Cage pedals are NOT permitted at any age.

Are Aerobars permitted?

Aerobars are not permitted this season (2021) due to the age groups participating. Typically they are only permitted with 14+ age groups.

Are Balance Bikes permitted? What about training wheels?

Balance Bikes are permitted in the 3-5 age group only.
Training wheels are permitted in any age group.
Please contact us if you have questions about bikes and other equipment.

My child wears glasses, what do we do?

We recommend standing near the swim exit and watching for your child. You can hand the glasses to them. Otherwise, you could put the child’s glasses inside of their helmet in transition.

Do they need to wear a helmet?

YES. No one will be allowed to bike without a helmet. Transition volunteers will make sure no athletes leave the transition zone without a helmet that is fastened!
PLEASE make sure your child’s helmet fits properly.

How do we get our equipment out of transition?

Once your child has finished their race you may collect their gear from the main transition and the drop transition. Please make sure it is safe for parents to collect from transition while the race is still going on. Be alert to athletes still on course.
The race organizers are not responsible for lost gear.

Can my son ride with no shirt? Can my daughter wear a bathing top on the bike course?

Torsos (belly button) must be covered for the bike and run portion of the race. This rule is the same for girls and boys.

What additional equipment will be permitted in the swim?

We will provide life jackets for all athletes in any age group, if desired. Water wings and puddle jumpers are not permitted in all locations. Check the pre-race newsletter for the rules at each race venue. No other swim aids are allowed (i.e. flutter boards or fins).

Is bike inspection mandatory?

No, however it is strongly recommended. Safety is a priority and you want to avoid disappointment if the bike cannot be used on race day. Spokes’nSlopes is our official bike shop for our Ontario races and Cyclepath Kelowna is our shop for BC. Visit them and get your bike in racing condition.

Safety

Are life jackets permitted? Mandatory? Supplied?

Athletes in the 3-5 age group are accompanied by an adult within arms’ length and have the option of wearing a life jacket.

Life jackets are offered to all age groups and supplied on deck.

Do participants in the 3 to 5 year old age category have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the race?

Yes, for safety reasons athletes in the 3 to 5 age group must be within arms reach during the swim and within steps on the bike and run. You may give them as much assistance as they need, or none at all.

My child wears glasses, what do we do?

We recommend standing near the swim exit and watching for your child. You can hand the glasses to them. Otherwise, you could put the child’s glasses inside of their helmet in transition.

Do they need to wear a helmet?

Are there refunds for cancelled races due to weather?

If the event must be cancelled in its entirety, you will be informed as soon as possible. In that case, our refund policy will apply.

What happens in inclement weather?

The race goes on rain or shine. In the case of lightening the race will be delayed or stopped immediately if in progress.The race will not resume until 30 minutes after the last incidence of lightening. If the road conditions are unsafe due to rain the bike portion of the race will be cancelled and a swim – run event will take place. There are NO rain dates, NO refunds or transfers if a race is modified or cancelled due to weather.

Are parents allowed in transition?

Parents are allowed in to help set up their child’s gear before the race.

During the race, parents are not allowed in transition (except in the case of a parent accompanying their 3-5 year old athlete). Volunteers will assist athletes throughout their transition from swimming to biking.

Is my child safe on the course?

Safety is our highest priority. While parents need to understand that participating in a sporting event like a triathlon has, by its nature, elements of risk, as do all sports. You can help make your child’s experience the safest and most enjoyable by practicing before the race to improve their skills and increase their confidence. Also, we strongly recommend all athletes and parents to attend one of our orientation sessions.

Can I participate in the triathlon with my child?

Participants in the 3 – 5 age group must have an adult (16+ years old) accompany them in the water, within arms reach. Parents may continue with them on foot for the bike and the run.

Parents are not permitted to participate in the triathlon with their child and will not be allowed on the pool deck (except in designated spectator viewing areas) or in the transition area during the race. Volunteers will assist athletes throughout the event and during the transition from swimming to biking. We encourage you to watch and enjoy the experience, while loudly cheering on both your athlete and others racing!

How do we get our equipment out of transition?

Can my son ride with no shirt? Can my daughter wear a bathing top on the bike course?

Torsos (belly button) must be covered for the bike and run portion of the race. This rule is the same for girls and boys.

Can my child use any stroke in the swim portion?

Yes, whatever stroke the athlete is comfortable with.

How will my child know where to go on the race course?

The race course is well marked with traffic cones and arrows are strategically placed throughout the course to provide direction and support.
The race format literally becomes a game of follow the leader!
Also, we encourage athletes and parents to attend an Orientation Session to familiarize themselves with the course, specifically the bike and run exits, the turn around points on the bike and run course and how transition works.

Course

Are life jackets permitted? Mandatory? Supplied?

Athletes in the 3-5 age group are accompanied by an adult within arms’ length and have the option of wearing a life jacket.

Life jackets are offered to all age groups and supplied on deck.

Who counts the laps and loops for the athletes doing multiple laps/loops?

It is the responsibility of parents and athletes to count the laps and loops. We will make suggestions at each venue as to the best place to stand so that you can call out how many loops your child needs to complete. Attend an orientation session with your athlete so everyone understands how bike looping works.
Last year we heard a lot of “THREE MORE TO GO-GREAT JOB!” and “LAST LOOP-KEEP IT UP!” THIS is what we want to hear out there!

Do participants in the 3 to 5 year old age category have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the race?

My child wears glasses, what do we do?

We recommend standing near the swim exit and watching for your child. You can hand the glasses to them. Otherwise, you could put the child’s glasses inside of their helmet in transition.

Are parents allowed in transition?

Parents are allowed in to help set up their child’s gear before the race.

Can I participate in the triathlon with my child?

Participants in the 3 – 5 age group must have an adult (16+ years old) accompany them in the water, within arms reach. Parents may continue with them on foot for the bike and the run.

How do we get our equipment out of transition?

Is this a timed event?

Yes, it is a timed event and finishing times will be posted via our home page under the updates section. You will also be able to access results live at the finish line with your phone. There are no awards. The finishing time of each individual will be posted in alphabetical order and not in order of completion time. We encourage and celebrate participation.

Can my child use any stroke in the swim portion?

Yes, whatever stroke the athlete is comfortable with.

How will my child know where to go on the race course?

Waves

We have a soccer game on the same day, can my son be placed in an earlier wave?

Sorry, we do not take wave requests. Please understand that we assign waves for up to 800 athletes and it would not be possible to accommodate every request to change a wave assignment due to another commitment.

What is a "wave"?

Waves are the groups that athletes are placed in according to their age. Each athlete is assigned a wave # and they are called into the pool by this wave number. This season there are only 6-8 athletes per wave so that each athlete has their own lane.

Can my child switch his/her wave assignment?

We create the waves based on a random sort and wave assignments cannot be changed. Sorry, we do not take wave requests.

Post Race

What happens after the race?

Athletes are welcome to visit the post race tent where we offer juice, water, fruit, fruit snacks and nut-free cookies. Gluten free cookies are also available. Please remember that post-race food is available for athletes only. We encourage parents and anyone attending who isn’t racing to bring drinks/water, snacks, and lunch (depending on the time you’ll be at the race).

At the post-race celebration area, you’ll be able to access your results and race photos online via your phone.

You’re more than welcome to stay at the venue after your athlete’s race has finished. We love to see families setting up picnics and cheering on the rest of the athletes racing!

Volunteer

How do I volunteer for one of the races?

Thank you for your interest in volunteering, we would love to have you! You can find more information on volunteering and sign up here. Note that we do sign volunteer hour confirmation forms for high school students.

This was our family’s first time participating in a triathlon but we’ve participated in many events of different varieties and I must tell you, this was such a marvelously run event I am simply in awe. Such attention to so many details to make everything run smoothly, and such terrific staff/volunteers to ensure every kid had a positive experience. Planning and organization, enthusiasm and good humour, all played a role in making the whole event enjoyable for participants and spectators alike.

I just wanted to send you a note to thank you for putting on such a wonderful event! We cannot say enough about our experience yesterday – it was so well organized! The highlight was to be able to cheer on and encourage not only our daughter, but all of the children who participated. It was very rewarding to see so many children out being active and to see the enthusiasm, pride, and the satisfaction of such an accomplishment on their faces (and those of parents). I will never forget the image of watching my daughter come across the finish line and the pride I felt! Thank you for bringing this event to BC!

This was the second year that our children have participated in the Burlington Triathlon and this year was another OUTSTANDING year. My husband and I have been so incredibly impressed with your events – the professionalism – the overall vibe of the events are so positive and encouraging…a huge thank you for running these events and encouraging athletes of all abilities to participate, have fun and succeed! You should feel really great about the work you do – it goes a long way to building confidence and esteem in many, many children. So again – a huge thanks – and a special shout-out to all the amazing volunteers too!