Juniors FAQs
We have junior members from 8-17 at all abilities and all enjoy the range of swimming, running and cycling sessions.
Our coaches are experts at helping juniors develop, whether they are a novice triathlete, have entered some multi-sport events or are part of the London Regional Training Squad. We can help you develop in all three parts of the sport as well as the all-important transitions.
For juniors our two-week trial is mandatory. It is not a trial of ability, but we do need to assess swim ability. It is designed to allow you and your junior athlete to meet coaches and other Thames Turbo athletes and parents, to try out all the sessions and to make sure the club is right for you before you join.
What are the age groups for junior triathletes?
Our training groups juniors into ability rather than age, but it is worth knowing that triathlon competition groups are based on the child’s maximum age in any calendar year:
TriStart: 8 years old
T1: 9-10 years old
T2: 11-12 years old
T3: 13-14 years old
Youths: 15-17
What are the minimum requirements and responsibilities for juniors?
Some of our sessions require a minimum ability or age. This is to ensure all juniors get an equal amount of time with our coaches. Our two-week trial period is designed help both yourself and the club make sure we are a good fit. Below are our minimum requirements and responsibilities.
The minimum age to join the club is 8 years old.
Our coached track sessions are available to all junior members.
There is no age restriction on the Monday Zoom cycling session.
Swimming requirements:
When you enquire about junior membership you will be given a suggested date to attend a swim trial at Lady Eleanor Holles School on a Tuesday evening. This will be straight after the junior swim session at 7.30pm and your junior will have to show that they are a competent swimmer and can swim the distance for their respective age group in triathlon races (as per British Triathlon’s age groupings for Tristars and Youth/Juniors):
TriStarts (8 years old) – 50m
T1 (9/10 yr old) – 150m
T2 (11/12 yr old) – 200m
T3 (13/14 yr old) – 300m
Youths (15/16) / Juniors (17-19) 400m
If your child is a non-swimmer we can recommend swimming instructors that can get them up to our minimal requirements quickly.
What equipment do I need for my junior?
To participate in triathlon and all our sessions your child will require a bike and helmet, a pair of trainers, swimwear and goggles. The club has a small number of bikes available for a short term loan. These are to help juniors when they first join the club. Please ask about them during your two week trial.
Do juniors have to enter races?
No, but we believe that improving means measuring your performance, with racing being an excellent way to do this. We encourage all juniors to race. In the summer there is the Junior London League, which we incorporate into our own summer series. While in winter we have our own club Winter Race Series. Each has a popular awards party after the race series has ended.
The London League is a group of races in different multi-sport events which is open to all children who live or attend school in London. Races are managed by different clubs and includes our own Thames Turbo Junior Aquathlon. For all of the London League races we have a strong turnout of Turbos and the support is excellent.
We also have our own Winter Race Series made up of races and time trials for swimming, biking and running, keeping our race skills practiced even in the close season.
Can parents join in?
Many parents in the club love that we are family friendly. While juniors and seniors train at different times, many of the junior run and bike sessions are in beautiful Bushy Park and Richmond Park and whilst parents can’t participate in the sessions, it is a great chance to go for a run yourself.
There are a number of races in London that are open to juniors and adults (different events on the same day) and some that allow juniors and adults to be on the same team, so triathlon is truly a sport that the whole family can participate in.
Where can I buy Thames Turbo race kit and merch?
Tri suits, cycling shorts, cycling jerseys, running vests and more can be bought from the Thames Turbo section of Saddle Drunk. Click here and enter the password “Hampton” when prompted.