The Gators Triathlon Club, which has been around since 1997, is one of the most unique programs in St. Albert for athletes aged eight to 18.
The club separates the athletes into two different age groups. The junior Gators are aged eight to eleven and they train four days a week. The senior Gators are aged twelve to eighteen and train five days a week, with both groups focusing on three different sports: swimming, running, and cycling. There are also two different programs to choose from, with one program starting in September and running until mid-June, ending with the St. Albert Kids of Steel event. The summer program begins a week later and runs throughout the summer months, ending a couple weeks before the September program starts.
The summer months program was new this past year due to expansion of the gators team, according to senior Gators head coach Glenn Wilson.
"We had one of the best years," he said. "This was the first year the team was expanded. We went from between 12 to 16 athletes to 40 athletes."
The club is inclusive, he noted.
"Everyone can play, and if you can play you can compete. But the great thing is you don't compete against anyone but the clock. You're either getting better an achieving personal bests or you're working towards it."
You don't have to be an expert or in great shape to join the Gators triathlon club either. There are three different programs within the programs. First is the Tri Fit, which is an introduction into triathlon as a sport. Second is Tri Development, where you begin performance-based training. Last, there is Tri Performance which is the most advanced program for the Gators. When athletes join they will work there through the programs and not move on until there ready, something Wilson was adamant about.
"We want to teach the athletes to do things right first and fast second."
Another valuable part of the Gators is the reliance it has on its parent volunteers who help out at the practices with anything ranging from riding alongside the kids biking to ensure safety regulations to running water stations so the athletes don't get dehydrated in the heat.
Being a part of the Gators triathlon club is both hard work and rewarding, said Wilson.
"It is a time commitment. But, it's also great for the kids. The kids gain friendship within there age groups. The Gators also creates resiliency in the athletes in a clean and healthy environment."
Registration for the Gators September program is open as of July 12.
For more information on the Gators Triathlon Club visit www.gatorstriclub.com.
