Archived News

Sunday 28 February 2010

Time Trial Results

Last term the Juniors underwent a cycle time trial to benchmark their pace and fitness at that time.  This term, some swim sets have been added to the analysis, along with a further cycle TT on Sunday.  For those who are interested in keeping tabs on their pace, the outcome of last term’s time trials along with those undertaken within the last fortnight, are here:  Time Trials 

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Canterbury Secondary Schools Triathlon Championships

Leanne coming into the finishing straight

Congratulations to our Tri Devils and Black Squad members who raced in the recent Secondary School Triathlon Championships at Corsair Bay.    The results can be viewed here, and a small selection of photos are featured on our photo site.

Sunday 14 February 2010

Corsair Bay training wraps up

The sessions are just getting better and better!  Today the juniors took to Corsair Bay for their last sea swim session.  After a land warm-up, the juniors were split into two groups depending on swim confidence/competence.  The more confident group swam out to the pontoon with Kelly where they practised their sighting, while the less confident group worked on their technique and sighting with Jill and Ken, using the temporary buoys.  There was more duck diving and sprint-type work thrown in for good measure.  Cameron was even overhead asking Kelly if they could do relays back and forth to the pontoon – obviously running relays are not enough anymore!

Back on dry land and into the run portion of the session, the group was once again split into two depending on run ability.  The more able group ran to Lyttelton and did some interval work along the way before returning, while the predominantly younger group worked on their pacing around the loop track with Ken – they learnt the merits of starting slow, and building to a faster pace by the end.  A very important skill to learn to avoid blowing up mid-race or in training!

Next up were some drills and core stability work – butt kicks, knee lifts, skipping, dead ants and triman holds.  Kelly then coned out a shuttle run course and split the group into two once more for a shuttle sprint relay.  Added to that, some activities at each cone such as star jumps and ball throwing.  The session concluded after a warm-down jog and some stretches.

Sadly that was the final sea swim session for this term, with summer starting to draw to a close.  The juniors have looked great in the water and have quickly picked up some valuable skills.  For those of our juniors 10 years and under, you may like to put your competence to the test by entering the Sovereign OceanKids event at Corsair Bay on 27 February.  The course is 200m and is very similar to that used at our Corsair Bay sessions, with the children swimming parallel to the shore in the shallows of the Bay.

We look forward to seeing you all again on Thursday for an Aquathon Time Trial!  Time to don your race legs and pit yourself either against your fellow juniors, or just to challenge yourself and your own expectations!  Then on Sunday, it’s back to Wigram Air Base where we’ll get our teeth into some cycling.

PS  Remember to check the photos from today.

  

Sunday 7 February 2010

A new term and a new venue!

A change from last term’s programme has been the introduction of a new venue to the training schedule – Corsair Bay.  Normally a Sunday means a cycle/run session, but we’re making the most of ‘summer’ (if we can call it that!) to accommodate some open water swim sessions.

Despite a rather murky day today, a good sized group donned wetsuits (or just togs) to brave the waters of the Bay.  Actually, consensus was that it was warmer in the water than out!  John had set a swim course in the shallows of the Bay, and Kelly put the group through their paces starting with a land warm-up in the hope that the sensation of hitting the water wouldn’t be so brisk!

All the juniors coped admirably with the chop and swell, swimming back and forth between the buoys.  The focus today was on sighting, rounding the buoys, duck diving through the waves, sprinting off the beach, and running back onto the beach.  The group also learned the value of breathing away from the incoming waves to save themselves from a mouthful of salt!

Back on land, the group took advantage of the adjacent loop track to complete a warm-up run before participating in some running drills.  High leg lifts, butt kicks, grapevines, and sideways running prepared the juniors for their next task – a relay on the loop track.  See, those relays keep slipping in!  Three groups completed the circuit three times and there was a fair amount of rivalry going on!

The session concluded with some warm-down stretches, and push-ups, triman holds, and ‘dead ants’ as complementary core strength work.

In conclusion, Corsair Bay was an awesome venue!  See you all again on Thursday (Jellie Park), followed by Corsair Bay again next Sunday.

Finally, good luck to Coach Sarah, as she finds her way from Kumara back to Christchurch next weekend as a Two Day Individual in the Speights Coast to Coast!

  Thursday 4 February 2010

A great start to the term!

Wow, what a great training session today!  Around 24 juniors turned up to Jellie Park this afternoon – many familiar faces, and many joining the Junior Programme for the first time.  We all got to meet new Lead Coach, Kelly Bruce.  Kelly has an elite background in triathlon (top 10 in the world at the Elite U23), has a sports degree, and has good experience working with kids. 

It was fantastic using the 50m outdoor pool at Jellie Park, particularly given what a great day it had turned into.  The group was split across two lanes – those swimmers who were already pretty quick, and those who wanted to get quicker!  There were some sprints, some drills, and some recovery swimming all included in the 25 minute session.

Next it was out of the pool and off to the adjacent park for some running and core strength work.  As usual, the juniors got their way and finished the session off with some relays – for some reason, the relays are always a hit!  Kelly led the group through some stretching as part of the warm-down, which brought the first session to an end.

Sunday’s session is at Corsair Bay, between 9.00am and 10.30am.  This is a swim/run session, so make sure you bring gear appropriate for both disciplines.  Our bikes are having a rest for a week or two (or at least until we return to the Wigram Airbase as a training venue).

Friday 29 January 2010

Term 1 of 2010 to commence shortly!

Just a reminder that the programme re-starts next week!  The term plans are up on http://www.canterburytriclub.co.nz/ under the junior section and were also posted here on the blog in December (scroll down below).

For the most part the programme will continue in a similar format. One thing that will change is with the Tri Kids and Tri Devils we now have coach employed for all sessions. This has come about through some funding obtained through Triathlon NZ. Don’t worry, the great crew of coaches and parents that helped out last term will still be assisting regularly. Kelly Bruce is the new lead coach. She has a elite background in Triathlon (top 10 in the world at Elite Under 23 years), has a sports degree as well as good experience working with kids. Kelly will also assist with the Black Squad on Saturdays.

If you are not signed up for this term and plan on attending please sign up asap to help us with booking lane space. If you are not coming back could you please pop Sarah an email so we know why junior@canterburytriclub.co.nz

Thanks, and we look forward to a good term ahead!

  Friday 29 January 2010

Surf n Turf Events

The Surf n Turf Series is a group of aquathon and open water sea swim events held every year at Scarborough and/or Corsair Bay.  While parental consent would be required for children under 16 years to participate, the organisers would welcome our juniors providing they are competent swimmers.  If we can get enough interest from the juniors, the event organisers may create an Under 16 category in the future, which would be an excellent way for the juniors to compete amongst themselves!  For further information, please visit the Surf n Turf website.

 Friday 29 January 2010

Summer Successes

What has everyone been up to over the Christmas and New Year break?  Completed any challenging tramps?  Done any open water swimming?  Nailed a gnarly MTB track?  Send us in your tales so we can keep everyone up to date!

Ella Harris competed in the Contact Tri Series during her recent holiday in Wanaka.  Her longest triathlon to date, Ella raced in the 3:9:3 event (300m swim, 9km bike and 3km run), which is targeted at 11 year olds to adult.  Ella braved the very chilly 14 degree lake temperature, managed to warm up sufficiently on the bike, then ripped up the run to come in second female overall.

Keep an eye out for the Contact Tri Series in the future (Wanaka and Timaru are the two South Island races).  There is now also a 1:2:1 triathlon for smaller children.

 

Wednesday 23 December 2009

2010 Programme Announced

The Tri Kids, Tri Devils and Black Squad programmes for Term 1 of 2010 are now available.  Please click on the appropriate tab (Tri Kids, Tri Devils or Black Squad) above for further details, and for information on how to join the programme.

Wednesday 23 December 2009

Christmas Cracker Tri, Du and Youth Aquathon

Despite it being that busy-busy time of the year, it was terrific to see some of the Juniors take time out to race at the recent Canterbury Triathlon Club Christmas Cracker triathlon event.   The triathlon swim was a challenging one for most if not all of the competitors thanks to a relatively strong swell and current.  For the Aquathon competitors, the swim was held closer to shore where the swell wasn’t so strong, and most children could at least put their feet on the bottom if necessary!  Here is a recap of the results from the day:

Tri Male:  Junior

• Jackson Joseph – 4th

Aquathon Male:  Junior 2

• Corrie Hoult – 5th
• Samuel Browne – 6th

Aquathon Female:  Junior 1

• Lorna Pairman – 1st

Aquathon Female:  Junior 2

• Ella Harris – 2nd

 

Corrie giving it everything he has in the finishing straight

 Sunday 13 December 2009

2009 Programme Concludes

Just a small group of seven took to Wigram this morning for the final session in the 2009 programme, but that didn’t stop a great training session from taking place.

After a warm-up spin on the bike, our juniors took part in a 3.8km time trial, to set a benchmark for future training sessions and time trials.  The conditions were very windy, so while each lap included a straight with a tailwind that whipped up some terrific speeds, the grind back to the start/finish area into the headwind left a lot to be desired and a great array of grimaces were evident on some faces!  Fortunately for Thomas, soft grass lines the edge of the Wigram runways, as he was buffetted off his bike and into the undergrowth!

Leon (left) passing Ella to take the quickest time overall

Thomas exercising a great dismount

Next up was a 1km run time trial.  Once again, conditions were far from perfect with the strong wind sticking around, and Coach Will kindly setting the course out in the rough grass!  It would have been ambitious to count on a PB under the circumstances, and of those juniors who do know their 1km PBs (on seal or track), they reported that their times today were around 30-40 seconds slower.   Thomas clocked the quickest 1km time with 4.04 minutes (his PB is 3.26, which shows how much of a grunt today’s run was!).  Between the cycle and run, the children certainly learnt how to dig deep today and push through some hurt!

Edward coming in (on that tufty grass!) to post the 3rd quickest 1km time

Sarah has kindly put all the times into a spreadsheet for the juniors to refer to.  Next term, we’ll revisit these stats to see if we can give those times a bit of a downwards nudge!  TT Junior Prog Dec 09  It should be noted that Edward and Sam’s cycle times were achieved on mountainbikes – the remaining children were on road bikes (Edward and Sam were tough!).

To finish off the morning, the group was split into teams of two to complete a mini duathlon race, done as a relay.  Both members of each team were required to complete the course twice.  Naturally, Corrie and Dad/Coach Rob won in impressive fashion – how the other juniors could have possibly competed with a recent Kona finisher and his son (who no doubt carries the same athletic genes) was anyone’s guess!!   

A cool down and a stretching session was all that remained to cap off what has been a very successful term for the juniors.  Photos from today are on display here.

A wee reminder:

• A Youth Aquathon is being held at Sumner Beach next Sunday (20th) as part of the Canterbury Tri Club’s Christmas Cracker event.  The swim will be in the shallows, so don’t be daunted at the prospect of a sea swim.  Several juniors have already entered but we’d love to see ALL of you there!  Entry is just $5 - visit the Events page on www.canterburytriclub.co.nz for entry details.
• The Junior Programme will be recommencing in Term 1.  New and existing members are most welcome – in fact, we’d be disappointed if you didn’t return as we’d love to see you all again.  We have lots of new ideas and more information will be up on the blog soon so keep checking back.

Finally, if we don’t see you at next weekend’s Aquathon, on behalf of all the coaches, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, and a safe and happy New Year and holiday season.  We look forward to seeing more of you in Term 1!

 

Thursday 10 December 2009

Programme Update

A reminder that the two sessions this week (Thursday 10 December and Sunday 13 December) are the last two sessions for the term.

Thursday 10 December is a RUN only session, meeting at the Village Green, QEII (cricket grounds) at 4pm.  They will be running offsite so if you are late, please contact Sarah on 027 270 6313 for instructions.

Sunday 12 December will be at Wigram.  Don’t forget your gold coin donation.

Rachel Harris, who looks after the blog, is keen to get any other event results (ie school, club running, triathlon, swimming, cycling events etc) of kids who are participating in our programme, so we can feature them on the blog.  Also, any other news, gossip, photos that you would like to submit would be greatly appreciated.  Please email harrisfamily@paradise.net.nz.

If the kids want to race in the Canterbury Tri Club Christmas Cracker, they can enter online.  Refer to the www.canterburytriclub.co.nz Events page for more information.

Please email Sarah on abilityplus@xtra.co.nz if you would be interested in our running an open water swim session down at Corsair Bay this Saturday 12 December at 8.00am.  If there is sufficient interest, we will also run  a session in preparation for the Christmas Cracker. 

As this term’s programme draws to a close, we would like to thank the parents and the children for supporting the programme and we hope you will be back in Term 1 of 2010 (details will be emailed and up on the website within a week).  We hope the children have picked up a few helpful triathlon tips over the term.

From John, Sarah and all the coaches, we wish you all a very merry Christmas, and best wishes for 2010

 

Sunday 6 December 2009

Out of Club Achievements

We like to think that the scheduled training sessions our Juniors participate in twice a week help to complement their sporting achievements outside of the Club, so when we hear of the children doing well, naturally we like to shout it from the roof tops!  Mums, Dads and Juniors, if there is anything that you’d like to tell us about, big or small, send us an email at canterburytrijuniors@gmail.com.  If you’re proud of it, then we want to tell everyone about it!

This week we are aware of the following achievements:

Cameron Avery and Thomas Harford represented Christchurch South Intermediate and Cobham Intermediate respectively at the recent Central Zones Athletics day, in the 1500 metre event.  Central Zones is effectively the ‘finals’ event in the athletics calendar for primary/intermediate students and brings together the best athletes from all the schools.  Cameron came in second, and Thomas third in what was a very competitive field.  Well done to them both!

Cameron Avery (photo acknowledgement:  David Eglesfield)

Thomas Harford (photo acknowledgement:  David Eglesfield)

Lorna Pairman competed in the Festival of Cycling’s Mini Bay 5km cycle race on Saturday 5 December.  Lorna placed exceptionally well, coming in second in the 8-10 year girls age group, and a very creditable 6th overall.  It’s great to see Lorna’s cycle training paying off.  Congratulations Lorna!

Lorna Pairman during a recent training session at Wigram

Ella Harris placed first in each of the three challenging running races that make up the Frontrunner Offroad Series, thereby winning the series for the Age 10-12 Girls.  The races that make up the series are the Mt Vernon Run-up, the Godley Head Run-out, and the Evans Pass Run-over.  Ella also set three new race records for her age group.  The butt kick drills are paying off!

Ella Harris enjoying the great offroad

  

Sunday 6 December 2009

More Drills in the Park

At Sunday’s Hagley Park session, the Juniors were provided with a handout for continuing the running drills at home, inbetween the formal Club sessions.  For those who weren’t present at this session, we have uploaded it here for your reference.   Run_Info_Sheet_1

Practising the drills on a ‘little and often’ basis will see your technique improve considerably – and that can only be good for making you stronger and faster in whatever you set out to achieve!

 

Tuesday 1 December 2009

Our Juniors at the Splash & Dash

L to R:  Max, Samuel, Charlie, Lorna, Amelia, Coach Kirsten, Anneke, Annabel, Corrie, Ella, Cameron

Jellie Park was an awesome venue for the inaugural Splash & Dash aquathon event on Sunday.  Our Juniors were well represented, with 13 Tri Kids and Devils and one Black Squad member competing over the eight categories.  Congratulations to them all – they looked great and it was a fantastic opportunity to put their new found skills to the test!

Summary of Results

7-10 years Female

• Lorna Pairman – 1st
• Anneke Van Heyningen – 5th
• Annabel Prendergast – 8th
• Amelia Davies – 9th

7-10 years Male

• Max Hunter – 7th
• Charlie Hunter – DNS due to illness

11-12 years Female

• Ella Harris – 1st

11-12 years Male

• Cameron Avery – 1st
• Corrie Hoult – 3rd
• Samuel Browne – 5th

13-15 years Female

• Jaime Gilchrist – 3rd
• Leanne Feary – 4th

13-15 years Male

• Jackson Joseph – 3rd

15 years – Male

• Ben Fraser – 2nd

The scoop of the day went to Lorna who won a wicked Blue Seventy wetsuit as a spot prize – we expect to see her putting that to good use in the coming season!

Check out the Photos page to see all the images that Brett Whitley kindly took over the course of the morning.

Don’t forget to enter the Christmas Cracker Aquathon event on 20 December at Sumner.  The swim will be in the shallows of the beach area, so don’t let the prospect of a sea swim put you off!  Refer to the Upcoming Events page for more information and to enter.

 

Thursday 26 November 2009

General News Update

Phew – the term is whizzing by!  Here’s what is happening with the Junior Programme between now and the time the term concludes:

•  Tri Kids & Tri Devils

Our last official Sunday bike/run session will be Sunday 13 December at Wigram.  Up until then, training sessions will continue as normal with the exception of this Sunday (29th) which is the Splash & Dash Aquathon, and Thursday 10 December which will be a run only session – meet at the Village Green at 4pm and we’ll run to the beach.

•  Black Squad

We will keep running a little longer and will email you individually.

•  Upcoming Events

We’re looking forward to seeing our Juniors in action this Sunday at the Splash & Dash Aquathon at Jellie Park.  Entries are still open so if you haven’t yet committed, do so before race day!  Click here to be directed to the Enter Online facility.  Of course the more the merrier, so if you know of anyone (friends, young family members) who might be keen, give them a tap on the shoulder and get them to join in!

Don’t forget the Canterbury Tri Club Christmas Cracker event on Sunday 20 December down at Sumner.  See the Canterbury Tri Club’s events page for entry details.  There is a youth Aquathon option for the younger children, as well as a Triathlon and Duathlon for 14 years and over.

•  New Photos

Visit the Junior’s photo site for new photos from Thursday’s (26th) training at QEII. 

•  Term 1 – 2010

We will be sending out details on Term 1′s programme over the next few weeks so watch this space!

 

Thursday 19 November 2009

Splash & Dash Aquathon – Just a week to go!

A reminder to get your entries in for the Splash & Dash Aquathon event on Sunday 29 November, at Jellie Park.  The success of these sorts of events will see them continuing into the future (which can only be good for our up and coming athletes!) so please show your support.  Visit www.sdchallenge.com for more details, and please tell anyone you know with children about the event.

As an aside, the Canterbury Tri Club ran a test event for the Splash & Dash on the evening of the 18th, to ensure that everything will run smoothly on the 29th.  Anneke, Jaime and Leanne, three of our juniors, took part in the test event:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

      

 

 Sunday 8 November 2009

Tri Kids & Tri Devils Training – Wigram Airbase

Wigram was THE place for a training session today!  The sun was shining, the coaches were fired up with ideas, the juniors were their usual enthusiastic selves, and what a venue – safe, very flat and fast, and plenty of space to ride those bikes! 

The morning started with a cycle warm-up, but not before Rob briefed the children on helmet safety and teaching what to look for to ensure a good fit.  He also gave a great tip – between rides, make sure your bike is left in its easiest gear (so on the small chain ring on the front, and biggest on the back) – this will prevent strain on the gear cables and make them last longer.

The juniors were then split into their age groups (‘Devils’ and ‘Kids’).  For the younger juniors, Will constructed a coned course with an emphasis on practising some tight cornering.  Rob did the same, but he set the course just a little trickier for the more confident, older juniors.  A competition between the Devils ensued, with a pretty tight call between Jackson and Corrie as to who negotiated their way around the course without touching any of the cones.  Some cones did, however, receive a bit of a dealing to by some of the less careful cyclists!

Andrew then took over for the running phase of the morning, and this seemed to develop into a boot camp!  Star jumps, push ups, sit ups and tri man holds were amalgamated into the running drills (yes, there were drills too!), and a relay race saw some great sprinting from both teams.

The morning culminated in a duathlon, taking advantage of the huge, wide open spaces at Wigram.  The juniors were paired off as  relay teams, with both members of each team running to their bikes where they mounted and completed a flat-tack cycle down to a slalom course at the far end.  After the slalom, they dismounted their bikes, ran to a marked point (with their bikes), mounted again and back to the start/finish line, where they then took off for an offroad run on the grass.  When the juniors were asked if they wanted to complete the duathlon as individuals or in teams, “TEAMS!” was the unanimous choice – it’s great to watch the camaraderie building between all the children.

Check out the pics from this morning.

A reminder that Thursday’s session is just before a long weekend (Friday being Canterbury Anniversary Day), but we’d still love to see as many of you there as possible.

 

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Test Aquathon – Wednesday 18 November 2009

As some of you will know, the Canterbury Tri Club is running a Splash & Dash Challenge for kids in late November.  As a test event for this, we are putting on an event for all ages.  This will be a fun training event with a few spot prizes.  Results will be posted, but will not be separated by category.

Registration is on the night, but please can you email junior@canterburytriclub.co.nz if you plan to attend so we have an idea of numbers. 

• Date – Wednesday 18 November 2009
• Time – Registration 5.30pm to 6.00pm, start 6.15pm
• On the night registration only – this will be alongside the 50m pool
• There will be wave starts
• Cost – Tri Club members – pool admission only;  non-Tri Club members – pool admission + $5 at registration
• Course – Sprint (250m swim/3km run (2 laps));  Open (550m swim/4.5km run (3 laps))
• Swim – 50m outdoor pool at Jellie Park (no wetsuits)
• Run – laps of 1.5km on the playing field behind Jellie Park.  There will be a turn point at the far end of the playing field and another at the entrance to Jellie Park.
• Minimum age 10 years, no maximum.

For more details, contact John Newsom – coach@canterburytriclub.co.nz, telephone 981 7508.

Sunday 1 November 2009

Kicking Butt in Hagley Park

An excellent training session was held this morning in Hagley Park.  Coaches Rob, Will and Rachel led the juniors through a varied programme of cycling and running skills.  Rob introduced the group to the importance of focussing on good technique at all times – remember, we need to repeat an action 10,000 times in order to reprogram the brain!  So everything that was covered today, needs to be practised inbetween sessions so all the drills start to come naturally to us.

• Butt kicks – this helps to improve our position when it comes to leg drive;
• Knee raises – another good drill for leg drive;
• Whenever you run, think “tall”;
• Practise your tight cornering on the bike, remembering to keep the inside pedal high;
• Find a friend and try the cycle/run relay race.  Use it to practise your mounting and dismounting (remember that imaginary mount and dismount line!);
• Always stretch after a workout – some of the stretches covered today included quads, calves and hip flexors.

Keep an eye on the Photos page.  There are photos posted from today, and also some video footage of your running technique.  Check out what you’re doing right, and what you might want to tweak!

The last word goes to Corrie…

Friday 30 October 2009

Canterbury Tri Club Membership

All juniors enrolled in the Tri Kids, Tri Devils and Black Squad programmes are required to hold Canterbury Triathlon Club membership.  The membership year runs from 1 November 2009 to 31 October 2010, so the subscriptions may be paid now.  Online membership subscription is available through Enter Online.  Membership is just $10 for under 13 years (includes Tri Club branded swim cap), and $35 for ages 13 to 19 (includes Tri Club branded swim cap and a pair of arm warmers).  For further information, please visit the Canterbury Tri Club website.

Friday 30 October 2009

Offroad Running Series for Juniors

Each year, the Sumner Running Club co-ordinates a three race series over the Port Hills in Christchurch.  The races include a section for juniors (ages 10 to 12, and 13 to 16), and are held on consecutive Wednesday evenings in November (6.15pm on 11, 18 and 25 November).  Entry for juniors is $5 per race.

• Race 1 – Mt Vernon Run-up (short course)
• Race 2 – Godley Head Run-out (same course as adults – 6km)
• Race 3 – Evans Pass Run-over (short course)

Refer to the event flyer for further information.

Sunday 18 October 2009

Cycle and Run Skills Galore

The Tri Kids and Tri Devils had a great practical session this morning in Hagley Park.  Head Coach Ken guided our young athletes through a variety of key skills on the bike, and introduced the group to some new running drills.  The 90 minute session finished with a Cycle-Run-Cycle-Run ‘race’, using the flat, fast sealed paths around Hagley Park.  This enabled the children to put into practice their newly acquired skills of mounting and dismounting, and running off the bike.  Check out the photos.

The children are encouraged to continue practising the skills and drills, so by each subsequent Junior Programme session, they can continue to build and develop on what they have already learned.

Cycling

• A short warm-up on the bike of around 10 minutes;
• Practise stationary mounting - with both hands on bars, left pedal at 9′oclock, left foot on left pedal, push off with right foot then swing the leg over the bike.  Always look forward and remember to check over your right shoulder for anyone coming from behind!
• Dismount, reversing the activity.  Practise dismounting before an imaginary race dismount line;
• Practise mounting, riding in a circle before returning and dismounting;
• Practise cycling in a straight line – ideally find a line to cycle along;
• Find a friend and practise cycling side by side (as close to each other as you can!);
• A short warm-down of around 10 minutes to conclude.

Always think about safety – try to find a traffic-free area to practise your drills.  The likes of parks and asphalt tennis courts are perfect.

Running

• A short warm-up of around five minutes.  Think about good technique (posture, what are your legs and feet doing?).  Jog backwards and sideways to mix it up!
• Spend around ten minutes on drills – toe tappers, toe kicks, funky walking, ankling;
• Practise some butt kick jogging;
• Put all the drills together during a five minute jog.  Remember to always think about good technique – the more you practise, the more your body will want to do it!

See you on Thursday!

Friday 16 October 2009

Help needed – Splash & Dash Aquathon – Sunday 29 November 2009

We need your help to get kids into triathlon!  As part of the Junior Triathlon Programme, the Canterbury Tri Club is putting on an aquathon event on Sunday 29 November at Jellie Park.  Check out www.sdchallenge.com.

Please tell anyone you know with children about the event, and/or offer to volunteer on the day.  We would also like lots of little prizes and give aways for the kids.  If you own a business or can source suitable items, please email John at coach@canterburytriclub.co.nz for a proposal, or it can be donation.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Thursday 15 October 2009

Junior Programme Kicks Off

We have begun!  Over 20 young athletes took to QEII this afternoon for the first of the Junior Programme’s training sessions.  While their older counterparts in the Black Squad were undertaking cycle training over the other side of town, the Tri Kids and Tri Devils had a swim and run session.  Coaches Kirsten and Geoff took the athletes through a variety of water and land-based drills and intervals over the course of the hour.  Sunday’s session will have a cycle and run focus, kicking off at 9am on the Armagh Street Bridge, Hagley Park.

Check out the photos page for some action from today.

Tuesday 13 October 2009

Tiddlers’ Multisport

Now even our youngest budding Cameron Browns and Gina Fergusons have some exciting and fun events to participate in.  Tiddlers Multisport is a new local initiative, borne out of a desire to give children as young as two years old the opportunity to participate in multisport events with a difference.  The next Tiddlers event is coming up on 22 November – visit their website to enter.  Entries are limited.

Monday 12 October 2009

The new school term has started and this week kicks off the Junior Programme!  We’re looking forward to meeting you all on Thursday.

Tri Kids and Tri Devils

Thursday 15 October at QEII – 4pm start, finish around 5pm – Swim/Run

• Pay pool entry at QEII Main Reception
• Meet at 50m pool near lanes 0-1.  Sarah will be around here in a triathlon shirt (red/black).
• Remember all swim and run gear (also warm clothes if cold or wet outside on run)
• Bring a water bottle

Sunday 18 October at Hagley Park – 9am start, finish around 10.30am – Bike/Run

• Meet on Armagh Street bridge (entry into Hagley Park North)
• Remember all gear (especially helmets etc)
• Dress appropriately for weather conditions
• Bring a water bottle

If the weather does not treat us kindly on a Sunday, please don’t hesitate to text or ring regarding the go ahead of this session.  If we cancel early, Sarah will try to send a group text out.  Ring or text Sarah on 027 270 6313.

Can all the parents please also email or text Sarah back with availability of your child for the Thursday/Sunday sessions, also Labour Weekend so we have an idea of numbers.

Any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask via email or phone 027 270 6313.

Monday 28 September 2009

Second Kids’ Aquathon planned

This year, the Canterbury Tri Club’s Christmas Cracker Triathlon/Duathlon will also feature a kids’ aquathon:

• Date:  Sunday 20 December 2009
• Distances:  100m swim : 2km run
• Venue:  Scarborough/Sumner
• Cost:  Just $5 (that’s a bargain!)

Click to enter.

 

Sunday 27 September 2009

Tri Club Juniors stride it out in Nelson

Five of our Juniors headed to Nelson this week to compete in the Primary and Intermediate Schools Inter Regional Cross Country Championships.  Lorna Pairman (Year 5), Ella Harris (Year 6), Thomas Harford (Year 7) and Leanne Feary(Year 8) represented Canterbury, and Holly Reid (Year 6) ran as an individual representing Fendalton School.  Over 100 of Canterbury’s top junior cross country runners went head to head with the best from Tasman (Nelson/Marlborough) and Wellington.

Conditions were wet and very cold, but our Juniors ran very well on what was a challenging, undulating course with lots of mud, water features and testing bends.

Clockwise from top left:  Lorna Pairman, Ella Harris, Thomas Harford, Leanne Feary taking part in a recent training session

Photo acknowledgement:  David Eglesfield

Results

• Year 5 race (2km course):  Lorna Pairman – 3rd (8.05 minutes)
• Year 6 race (2km course):  Ella Harris – 7th (7.57 minutes)
• Year 6 race (2km course):  Holly Reid – 31st (9.22 minutes)
• Year 7 race (3km course): Thomas Harford – 26th (11.57 minutes)
• Year 8 race (3km course):  Leanne Feary – 11th (11.48 minutes)

Congratulations to Lorna, Ella, Holly, Thomas and Leanne on their excellent results!

 

It’s almost time!

The Junior Programme starts on 12 October.  Choose your category – Tri Kids, Tri Devils or Black Squad - and sign-up now!  Click on the relevant squad’s tab above to access training schedules and entry details.

 

New Event!

Splash & Dash Challenge – Sunday 29 November 2009

Jellie Park Recreation & Sport Centre, Christchurch

Be in quick – limited entries!

JD Duathlon – Race 2

There was a great turnout of children for the second and final race in the JD Duathlon Series on Sunday 30 August.  Twenty four young athletes took on the Youth course (400m run/3.3km cycle/400m run) in the safe (and fast!) confines of Ruapuna Raceway.  Emphasis was on fun and participation, but placegetters in each section were acknowledged:

Youth 1 Girls (Years 5 & 6)

1  Ella Harris (14.34 mins)

2  Lorna Pairman (14.37 mins)

3  Arlia Schurr (15.27 mins)

Youth 1 Boys (Years 5 & 6)

1  Bryn Atkin (15.11 mins)

2  Ben Taylor (15.44 mins)

3  Jack McMecking (16.40 mins)

Youth 2 Girls (Years 7 & 8)

1  Kiri Atkin (13.57 mins)

2  Georgia Taylor (17.13 mins)

Youth 2 Boys  (Years 7 & 8)

1  Corrie Hoult (14.30 mins

2  Zachary Wells (16.24 mins)

3  Cameron Marino (19.50 mins)