Skill Development

In the junior category, elite racing is all about speed, with super-sprint distance races making up the majority of events. Aerobic fitness is always the basis of training, but this is incorporated alongside skills and speed work.

“It’s really trying to build an environment where we’re focusing kids on processed-based training. We’re trying to teach them how to be better triathletes, not just fitter triathletes,” says Kelly Guest, founder and coach of Kelly’s Kids Triathlon Club and Live Fit Coaching in Victoria.

Medcalf follows a similar approach with kids, spending time rounding out skills. She adds that it’s important to build plans based on individual growth. For example, through the junior age group, some athletes will already be developed and ready for the weight room, while others won’t have reached that stage.

The athletes Deutsch works with are usually on their school track or swim team, sometimes both, which helps to develop the skills and speed needed for fast and frenetic draft-legal racing. The events are short and