FAQ

Q1. Does it matter that I have never entered an aquathlon or anything similar before?

No– not at all, many of the children taking part have never taken part in an aquathlon before.

Q2. How does it work?

You swim first and then run, there will be a thorough briefing to ensure that all the children know what to do.

Q3. What should I wear?

Swimming trunks/costume and goggles (if required) for the swim, a t- shirt for the run, plus trainers. Girls can just wear their swimming costumes (rather than a bikini) the BTF rule is that no nipples must be on show for the run. Everyone must wear shoes for the run. You will need to wear your race number on the run you can either pin this to your t-shirt or wear a race belt.

Q4. Why do you ask for a swim time and does it matter if I don’t know the time?

The swim time is requested so that we can put the children into order with others of similar ability, if you don’t know the time have a look at the guidance given at the end of the FAQ’s.It is essential that we have an accurate swim time, your child will not be allowed to start the race unless we have this before the cut-off date.

Q5. What stroke do I have to swim?

You can swim whatever stroke you like or even a combination is OK; most children tend to swim the crawl as this is generally their fastest stroke. We won’t be allowing the children to swim backstroke as they will potentially causes problems in the lanes (i.e. children not swimming in a straight line and clashing with others).

Q6. How long is the swimming pool?

LEH pool is 25m long.

Q7. How many lanes are there?

There are six lanes. The children will set off and swim up and down a number of the lanes depending on their swim distance. They will ‘duck under’ the lane rope on completion of each lane. This will be fully explained at the pool side. You can climb out of the pool or use the pool ladder. You must then WALK to the exit.

Q8. What is the event closing date?

16th June 2010. The event sold out well in advance of this in 2009, and many children were turned away.

Q9. Will I be racing against lots of experienced children?

Some of the children belong to swimming clubs, running clubs etc, but many are entering an aquathlon for the first time. The race is open to anyone, you don’t have to be a member of a club and we are awarding a prize to the best school to encourage those who are not members of clubs to take part.

It’s great that you want to take part - we want all the children to enjoy the day and your sense of personal achievement is what matters most.

Q10. I can’t race any longer, can I have a refund?

Refunds will be given minus a £5 admin fee, the deadline for refund requests is midnight on Sunday 6th June 2010.

Q11. You have the age of my child wrong?

Children’s distances are measured at their age on 31st December 2010, not the age that they will be on the race. If your child has had their birthday by the time of the race, then that is their ‘race age’. If they haven’t had their birthday by the time of the race, then their ‘race age’ will be one year older.

Thames Turbos Junior Aquathlon – what do I need on the day?

Please find below a list of items that we recommend you bring with you for the aquathlon:-

• Swimming costume/trunks
  
• Swimming goggles
• T shirt to run in
• Race belts are allowed but are not necessary
• Trainers. We also recommend that you bring another pair of shoes/sandals to wear once your trainers are placed in the transition area
• Towel, you may want to bring 2 - a small one to place in transition and another for showering
• Talcum powder – sprinkle talcum powder inside your trainers and you will find it much easier to put them on with wet feet!
• Lace locks – these make it quicker and easier to do up your trainers as you don’t have to tie the laces. These are generally available at the Sweatshop in Teddington or Sigma
  Sports in Hampton Wick You can also buy something similar from haberdashery
  shops

Race Distances and Appropriate Swim Times

Age at 31/12/10		Time	Distance
Tristar	Good club swimmer	.55	50 m
8 years	Club swimmer	1.00
	Regular Front crawl swimmer	1.10
	Non regular Front Crawl swimmer	1.30
	Non Front crawl swimmer	1.50
Tristars T1	Good club swimmer	2.30	150m
9 -10 years	Club swimmer	2.45
	Regular Front crawl swimmer	3.10
	Non regular Front Crawl swimmer	3.40
	Non Front crawl swimmer	4.10
Tristars T2	Good club swimmer	3.45	250m
11 – 12 years	Club swimmer	4.00
	Regular Front crawl swimmer	4.30
	Non regular Front Crawl swimmer	5.30
	Non Front crawl swimmer	6.30
Tristars T3	Good club swimmer	4.30	350m
13 – 14 years	Club swimmer	5.00
	Regular Front crawl swimmer	6.00
	Non regular Front Crawl swimmer	8.30
	Non Front crawl swimmer	11.00
Youth	Good club swimmer	5.50	450m
15 -16 years	Club swimmer	6.30
	Regular Front crawl swimmer	7.15
	Non regular Front Crawl swimmer	10.00
	Non Front crawl swimmer	12.00

- A good club swimmer will compete at County Championship times

- A club swimmer will swim club sessions at least twice a week

- A regular front crawl swimmer will do at least one 60 minute session a week

- Non regular swimmers will do less than this but all front crawl

- Non front crawl swimmers may be able to swim occasional lenghts of front crawl and use other strokes as well