SWIM: JUNIOR DISTANCE – 75 Yards (3 Lengths)
SENIOR DISTANCE – 150 Yards (6 Lengths)
ADAPTIVE ATHLETE DISTANCE – 75 Yards (3 Lengths)
Athletes will swim in the HEATED pool at Gifford Aquatic Center while parents/guardians, relatives and friends cheer them on from the sideline deck. There is a shallow end for Novice or Non-Swimmers who prefer to be able to walk on the bottom of the pool for this portion of the event. Kickboards, noodles, and lifejackets are available and can be used during the swim (but no inflatable arm floats are allowed).
LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAMS
There are plenty of Learn-to-Swim Programs in Indian River County, with three options listed below:
1) Indian River County Swim Lessons – Click on green link for more information or call either the Gifford Aquatic Center in Vero Beach: (772) 226-1174, or the North County Aquatic Center in Sebastian: (772) 226-1752. Discounted swim lessons are available for families receiving government assistance.
2) City of Vero Beach Swim Lessons – Click on green link for more information or call Leisure Square at: (772) 770-6501
3) Float Hope of Indian River County – Float Hope is a non-profit organization that sponsors swimming so that all children, regardless of circumstance, can learn to swim and develop life skills that come along with swimming. Should you not have the means to afford lessons for your child, click on green link for more information or call: (772) 205-6819
BIKE: JUNIOR DISTANCE – 1.0 Mile
SENIOR DISTANCE – 2.0 Miles
ADAPTIVE ATHLETE DISTANCE – 1.0 Mile
Athletes will cycle on a flat closed course supported with volunteers and Indian River County Deputies. Juniors will complete a single 1-mile loop and Seniors will complete two 1-mile loops. Bikes and helmets are required during the bike portion of the race. If you do not have a bike or helmet, you will need to borrow these items.
We recommend that you enroll your child participant in a FREE Online Bike Safety Course – regardless of their skill level!
To do so, click on this green link: Bike Walk Indian River County and select the “Education” tab (then follow the instructions and take the Online Bike Safety Course with your child participant present). You will also have an opportunity at the end of the On-Line Bike Safety Course to sign-up your child for a Hands-On In-Person Bike Clinic (also no charge) to either Learn-to-Ride or to Improve Their Riding Skills.
You are welcome to let us know if you are stuck without a bike or helmet. But please understand that we have a very limited supply which could be loaned out to Indian River County residents on a first-come first-served basis*. Should a bike be assigned to your child participant for Race Day (no guarantees), they will be required to attend a Mandatory Hands-On In-Person Bike Safety Clinic at no charge well in advance of Race Day. The deadline to request equipment will be October 1, 2024 (therefore NO BIKES will be assigned to any participants after October 1).
*If you are an IRC resident and have exhausted your sources to borrow a bike and helmet, then here are your steps:
- Register your child by clicking the “REGISTER NOW” tab (there is a section within the Online Registration where you will need to advise us that you are requesting to borrow a bike and/or helmet) [NOTE: If your child participates in an after-school youth program (such as GYAC, Boys & Girls Club, Float Hope, Crossover Mission, etc.), then you should also advise them of your child’s desire to register for the Rotary Kids Triathlon and their need for a bike and/or helmet]
- Click on this green link: Bike Walk Indian River County and select the “Need a Bike?” tab (then follow the instructions and take the Online Bike Safety Course with your child participant present)
- At the end of the Online Bike Safety Course, you will have an opportunity to sign-up to borrow a bike for your child (you will be advised as soon as possible whether or not a bike and/or helmet are available for your child – please be patient, as you WILL be contacted one way or the other)
- If it turns out that this equipment is unavailable, we will refund your registration fee if your child is unable to participate.
- If a bike/helmet is available, your child will attend a session where the bike will be properly fitted/adjusted, and your child will be required to attend a Free Hands-On In-Person Bike Clinic conducted by Bike Walk Indian River County [NOTE: Borrowed bikes/helmets will be stored at all times at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (if a bike is assigned to your child, they must be registered in the Rotary Kids Triathlon and they will only be able to use the assigned bike at Pre-Race Preparatory Clinics and on Race Day)]
RUN: JUNIOR DISTANCE – 0.5 Mile
SENIOR DISTANCE – 1.0 Mile
ADAPTIVE ATHLETE DISTANCE – 0.5 Mile
Athletes will complete the Run Course (which is a half mile for the Juniors and one mile for the Seniors). The course follows the perimeter of the soccer/football and baseball fields, and includes grass, packed dirt, and pavement. For hydration, water will be provided at the Finish Line and at the halfway turnaround point of the Run Course for the Senior Division. All athletes are encouraged to leave a filled water bottle where their bike is located within the Transition Area (which they can access after their Swim and Bike segments).
Volunteers will be posted along the course to ensure athletes stay on route.