MELMERBY BEACH – Water splashed wildly at Melmerby Beach Saturday as 22 youth 12 and under rushed against the waves embarking on a race that would have the average adult gasping for breath.
The youth were participants in Iron Kids – a mini-triathlon to get children interested in the sport. The 10-12 year olds swam 150 meters, biked 10 km and ran 2 km. The 8 and 9 year olds were required to swim 100 metres, bike 5 km and run 1.5 km. The 7 and under group swam 50 metres, biked 1.5 km and ran 500 metres.
The event was organized by the YMCA this year.
Wade McCallum had his two sons Jarod, 12, and Corbin, 10, out to take part in the fun.
“We’ve done this now for four years,” he said.
The benefits for kids to participate are huge, McCallum said.
“This particular event isn’t competitive but it gets them introduced to a sport they can do for a lifetime,” he said. “It’s three different sports- running biking and swimming which are all really healthy.”
The way the event is organized is perfect for keeping kids interested, he said.
“They really promote the natural events of it as opposed to hockey where everything is push, push, push, push,” he said. “They really allow the kids an opportunity to go out, compete, have some fun and learn the sport. I like the way it’s organized and I think it sets them up to be able to do this sport for a long time to come.”
Jarod was the first one out of the water. A four-year veteran in the sport, he said it’s a lot of fun. His favourite part is the biking segment.
His younger brother has been doing the annual Iron Kids event for three years. For his part he likes the run best of all. He put in a fair bit of practise the last month or so getting ready.
“Where I live there’s like a loop and I go around that like three or four times,” he said. “For swimming I go to the lake and for biking I just bike around my house.”
Neil Fraser’s son Willem, 6, and daughter Hannah, 8, both competed as well.
Willem said it’s fun. He swam at the YMCA to get ready for this.
“It’s not competitive, but it teaches them to try hard,” Fraser said.
As a father, that’s all that really matters.
