Viewing "Greg's" Blogs

There are some events coming up I wanted to make sure you parents knew about.

Kids Triathlons

Norcal Kids Triathlon - September 25, 2010 - Orinda, Ca
Superkid Triathlon - October 10, 2010 - Santa Cruz, Ca

Both of these are excellent events put on by first class organizations.  Finish Line Productions has done a lot to help us grow as well.  Please check them out.

Adult Triathlons

Hey everyone let's not forget the Big Kahuna Triathlon in Santa Cruz.  It's a great event put on by Firstwave events.  Tom and his crew have also helped us grow, and they use our timign services for some events.  They also have the Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge on Saturday.  Open water swims, Ocean Paddling, and other events.  Check it out.  Pass it to your friends if they cannot make it.  We want to do our best to support these events.

We have been asked to help with a few more Kids Triathlons this year.  We wanted to get some feedback on if you would attend or not.  We are looking at a couple of events in September / October.  What are your thoughts?  They would be up the penninsula.

Please let us know via email.

Thanks

Yahoo had this article about the Cliff Z bars for Kids.  As you all know they are a sponsor.  Check it out here:

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/7-energy-bars-that-deliver-2073183/

The pictures are up and look fantastic.  Scott does an amazing job skipping around trying to get everyone. Please take a look through and be sure to send to other family members.  It's take a lot of effort to do these events.

"Congratulations to all of the Jenny's Light Participants!  That was an awesome race!

I have just completed processing and uploading the final images for purchase.  The participants all looked great on camera!

Please click on the following link:

http://scottschilling.photoshelter.com/gallery/Jennys-Light-7-25-2010/G0000KJsH1YU2Gyk/

There are two purchase options - 5x7 prints with your choice of finish - glossy, matte, or luster, and/or a Personal Download option of the original file.

If you use the Coupon Code:  JENNY  at checkout, you will receive 10% discount on your purchase.

Please email me with any questions.

Have a fantastic day! "

Congratulations to all the young athletes who competed this year in our new series.  The results are up here: Results and the points totals for the year are up here: Points Totals.  We should mention there are a few athletes who moved up into another division as the year went on.  They are still considered the winner of their division.  Here is a list of division winners:

Seniors
Ben Haderle
Allison Koopman

Intermediate
Luke Lenhart
Devon Ottinger

Juniors
Gavin Frank-Mehrtens
Gwyneth Do

Super Juniors
Estevan Osuna
Sara Bergamasco

Great job kids.  We will be mailing a prize to you soon!  Please contact greg@svendurance.com with any issues on this past event or points.

I did want to mention one negative.  These events are supposed to be fun.  While we need your registrations to make these work, we do not need parents yelling at their kids, volunteers, or other parents.  The slow zone is for all kids.  It was emailed, it was announced, and it was marked.  Next year we will disqualify right away if we are ignored.  It's for safety.

Please send us feedback as we are always striving for a better event.  Better location?  Better food?  Better dates?

Here are some samples of pictures coming up soon from Scott Schilling Photography.

Important Instructions!  Please read thoroughly.  This event is now sold out.  Thank you.

1. Directions to event.  Make sure you know where you are going.

From the South Bay: Link
From the North Bay: Link

2. Parking
The 7th street garage 'may' be under construction please use either these below or the streets:

North Garage is on the corner of E. San Fernando and S. 9th Street.  West Garage is at E. San Salvador between 4th and 5th Street.  Just for reference, the South Garage (7th Street) is on E. San Salvador between 6th and 7th street.  The pool is on 8th street.

Wave start times

We have adjusted the wave starts to make room for two waves for larger groups.  Please see below:

7:00 am - Registration and packet pickup.
7:00 am - Transition opens to setup the bike and other items your child will need.  There will be volunteers to help.
7:50 am - Announcements, poolside. (Done for each wave)
8:00 am - Senior wave - Males and Females
8:45 am - Intermediate - Females
9:00 am - Intermediate - Males
9:15 am - Juniors - Females
9:30 am - Juniors - Males
9:45 am - Super Juniors -Females
9:55 am - Super Juniors - Males

How to wear your chip and bib for timing

1. Your child must wear the bib you receive at check in.  When crossing the finish line this needs to be displayed in the front if you want a time.  Without it there will be no time for them.

How to wear your helmet sticker

1. You will receive a helmet sticker with a matching number, this must be displayed on the front of the helmet.

Swim Cap

1. You will receive a swim cap at check in.  Your child must wear this cap.  It is used to identify waves.

Body Marking

1. You must report to body marking to have your age and numbers written on your body.  If these are covered when exiting the pool, you must know your number.

Volunteers

1. We are attempting to do transition times for this event.  This is a test only.  So we are short 3 volunteers.  Please let us know if you can help.  If you are a regular at our events and already help we already have a spot for you :)

This is the 3rd in the series this week to help parents and children prepare.  We do have an important note:

The actual race is at the aquatic center on 8th and E. San Salvador.  There is NO athlete parking at this location.  Normally we use the parking garage located at 7th and San Salvador and then walk over.  This garage 'may' be closed due to resealing.  Check it first.  If it is use the following garages:

North Garage is on the corner of E. San Fernando and S. 9th Street. West Garage is at E. San Salvador between 4th and 5th Street.  

Make sure you know where you are going ahead of time.  We typcially have parents scrambling lost on campus right before the event. 

Did you know?

1. We are giving out race belts as swag for this event.  They are very cool.  Race belts are used to hold the bib number around the waist.

2. Your child will receive a medal when he crosses the finish line.

3. We will have a new entrance to transition.  Do not use the transition entrances for placing or removing your items.  Parents will not be allowed to use those entrances.  Do not cross the finish line straight away except in the designated area.

4. Please do not disturb timing while the event is going on. 

Thanks

More tomorrow.

This is the Did you know? series designed to help first timers. 

1. Did you know that we spread out the start waves a bit to ensure more safety.

2. USAT license cost $5.00 and can be bought during check in.

3. We have a professional photographer at the event: Scott Schilling Photography.

4. Transition is where your kids tranistion from swim to bike and bike to run.  They will set their bike, helmet, and running gear in this area.  We have someone there to help you in the morning.  Transition closes when the first wave starts in the pool.

5. Most kids will ride their bike and run in their bathing suit.  Putting a t shirt on in transition works as well.  Make sure they have their bib numbers on when out on course.

6. We also have helmet stickers for them to track their laps.  Please make sure these are on the front of the helmets.

7. Make sure your child knows not to draft.  Drafting is riding too close to another childs rear wheel.  We will issue a 2:00 penalty if this observed and a warning is ignored.

More tomorrow.  Thanks

Well this series has been a huge success.  We went from 56 kids at our first one to 150 plus at this one.  Next year we will be shooting for around 250.  The greatest part of being a success is the fact that we can give to Jenny's Light.  If you are not aware of what that means please see the Jenny's Light website here for details: Link to site

Did you know?

1. We have expanded the timeline a bit to give kids more of a chance to spread out.  See the website for details.

2. We have new medals this time.

3. Becky Lavelle and Gina Kehr will be on hand.

4. If you have not received your USAT license from a prior event yet, we check a list when you check in.

5. We have enough kids this event that we will be running 6-7 waves, males and females will be seperate in a few classes.

More tomorrow!  Thanks

Looks like we will have a sellout.  It's very close now.  If the event sells out there will be no same day registration.  Register soon.

The Did you know? series will start again tomorrow.

Thanks