your first
triathlonSTART WITH POSSIBILITY

THE BEGINNER GUIDE

You can start from here.

A triathlon combines swimming, cycling and running, in that order. The area where you change between disciplines is called transition. Start by understanding the event, then build a preparation plan around your current skills.

1. Choose a course you can prepare for

Compare the distance, swim setting, route, cutoffs and entry requirements. Tri It distances are shorter than sprint distances at our two featured events. A relay can let you focus on one discipline while teammates complete the others.

Explore Vancouver or explore Calgary.

2. Make swimming confidence a priority

If swimming is unfamiliar, begin with qualified instruction in a supervised pool. Open water adds visibility, temperature, navigation and crowd challenges. Join a properly supported practice session before race day; do not train alone in open water. A short swim still requires preparation.

3. Get comfortable on your bike

Practise steering, braking, looking behind you and riding predictably. Have the bike checked, learn how its gears work, and check the event’s equipment rules. Practise putting on and fastening your helmet before handling your bike in transition.

4. Build gradually

Start with sessions you can manage consistently. Include recovery, and gradually practise moving from cycling to running. There is no single preparation timeline that suits everyone. A qualified coach can help adapt a plan to your starting point.

5. Practise transition

Lay out your gear, identify what you need after the swim, and rehearse a simple sequence. Learn the event’s mount and dismount rules and how you will find your bike rack.