Due to the complexity of securing a venue for our 7th Annual SFS Youth Triathlon, we have decided to postpone our race to later summer or early Fall. We apologize that this is not only a change in venue but also a change in scheduling, but this was an unavoidable outcome. To schedule a late May race now would be hectic and would sacrifice the quality of our experience. Wee have all intentions of holding a 2013 race, but until we have secured a SAFE, accessible and fun venue that can accommodate over 1,000 kids and spectators in the Triangle area, we can’t set a date for our event. We are diligently working with UNC (still a potential location) as well as a few select venues to partner with. We will announce any progress here on the site as well as on our Facebook page as soon as we have something definitive.
Again, we apologize for the inconvenience but we promise a safe and exciting race even if we have to keep postponing it to get there.
Registration for the Spring 2013 season of the Thundercats youth triathlon team run by Triangle Multisport and Swim for Smiles is now active!
We have an exciting schedule planned and will stick to practices on Wednesday evenings from 5-6 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 3-4:30 p.m., with the first practice on Sunday March 3 and going through Wednesday May 22.
The price will also stay the same as last year at only $350. We again bring an outstanding coaching staff to lead the team of 6-12 year olds. The only requirements are that the child be able to swim one length of the pool without stopping or assistance and ride a bike without training wheels.
A TENTATIVE schedule can also be found on the site. I hope to see many of you again in March! If you have any questions or concerns please let me know!
Dave
USA Triathlon Level II coach UNC Triathlon Team head coach TMS-SFS Youth Triathlon Team head coach ACSM Health Fitness Specialist USA Cycling certified coach
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to cancel the RunFest. We apologize for this last minute notice, but we just made the decision to cancel the event last Friday. We had no alternatives.
We still want to give back to the hospital – as is our tradition for the Swim for Smiles Foundation. So in lieu of the race, we will be delivering wrapped holiday toys to both the North Carolina Children’s Hospital and the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center on Sunday Dec. 16th – the day we had planned to hold the race.
So, if you planned to race, please consider joining us at the TOP LEVEL of the Craig Parking Deck on the campus of the University of North Carolina at 9 a.m., Dec. 16, when we will deliver these presents to the kids in the hospital. A campus map and location of the Craig Parking Deck is here, marked “CD” on this map: http://www.dps.unc.edu/maps/campus/Guide.pdf
Again, we apologize for the cancelation of this event. However, this toy drive will allow kids to help kids – our mission.
We realize the excitement your kids may have had around our RunFest, and we hope they will join us for the Toy Delivery on Dec. 16th as an alternative way to give back to the hospital.
The Swim for Smiles Youth Triathlon wouldn’t be The Swim for Smiles Youth Triathlon if it weren’t for the hard work friends, family, volunteers, community businesses, Chapel Hill and Carrboro town officials — and especially the kids — put into making this event an amazing success.
In all this celebrating, let’s not forget those that have helped spread the word about the triathlon — and even showed up to help us document all the fun and energy.
The Swim for Smiles Team would like to say thanks to all the news organizations that came out on Sunday to support us!
Here’s a snapshot of their coverage:
From News 14 Carolina
Huge thanks to News 14 Carolina’s Linnie Supall who captured the heart of the triathlon on video and wrote up a story on the event. Find the story and watch the video here.
Are you a news organization that covered the Swim for Smiles Youth Triathlon? Let us know! Email nc@swimforsmiles.org so that we can feature your news stories, too!
Swim for Smiles is excited to host a variety of race-day festivities. Be sure to visit our Finish Line Festival after the race (or during, if you’re waiting on a sibling or a later race) for some family fun! We’ll have everything from BMX shows to a rock climbing wall to free ice cream. It will basically be a kid’s paradise!
Look out for the following festivities, food and entertainment at the Finish Line Festival:
Kid’s climbing area. Features a rock climbing wall, a super slide, an inflatable obstacle course, a bounce house and a mechanical bull
UNC Children’s Hospital. Find out where your donations are going! Learn more about the Children’s Hospital. They’ll also have pediatricians available for a special “ask the pediatrician” time.
Kona Ice. All-you-can-eat free Hawaiian shaved ice. What more could you ask for?
PARCycles. Bike lights for kids who place in the race!
Juggle Boy. You’ve probably seen him at the Streets of Southpoint, or at last year’s race. He’ll be back to wow you with his juggling act where he balances and juggles pins, fire and more.
GroWild. Taste some all-natural, handmade granola. A perfect after-race treat!
New Balance & Fleet Feet. Stop by and take a look at some of our prizes!
Face paint and balloon animals. Enough said.
King BMX. Their bicycle performances feature high-flying aerial stunts, such as back flips and tail whips, and mind-boggling technical maneuvers executed on the ground and ramps. King BMX riders have competed at the X Games, Gravity Games and Dew Action Sports Tour, have been featured on Fox Sports and Monday Night Football.
Mr. Bisher DJ. Music’s in the air
TCBY. FREE ICE CREAM
We’re adding more festivities and surprises every day, so check back often for updates. On Twitter, on Facebook and of course right here at swimforsmiles.org
WCHL’s talented Ross Maloney recorded a PSA for the Swim for Smiles Youth Triathlon happening this Sunday! Tune into WCHL (1360 AM or 97.9 FM). If you’re listening between 6 – 9 a.m. and 5 – 6 p.m. now through Sunday, you’re almost sure to hear it!
Thanks, WCHL, for helping us spread the word!
But just in case you want a listen before that happens, we’ve got it for you here!
Get excited, everyone! Only three more days until the race!
Online registration for the youth triathlon is now closed, but this year we’ll still have a few spaces available that you can register for on-site at Packet Pick-Up, which will take place both Saturday afternoon at Fleet Feet in Carrboro (from 3 – 7 p.m.) and also early Sunday morning before the race near the club house at the Chapel Hill Country Club. We will have a few spaces for both long and short courses. Only individuals will be able to register on-site (no relay teams).
The cost for registration is $100, which includes a t-shirt, magnet, water bottle and SFS sticker.
All racers must also be a member of USA-T, the organization which provides insurance for our race. If your racer is a current member of USA-T, you MUST bring your USA-T memberhsip card or proof of membership that has both the membership number and the expiration date visible. If your racer is not a current member, or forgets this membership card, you will have to renew the membership on-site, which is $15, and is good for one year. USA-T requires us to be sticklers about this, so please don’t forget!
You can pay for the registration and the USA-T membership with cash, check or via credit card (which will be processed through the SFS website). We will also need a registration form filled out, that includes a waiver. The waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian of the racer (unless he/she is 18 or over).
Packet Pick-Up will take place on Saturday, May 5th at Fleet Feet in Carrboro from 3 – 7 pm, or Sunday before the race starting at 6:15 am and closes at 7:30 am. It is highly recommended that you come to do on-site registration at the Saturday packet pick-up at Fleet Feet.
If you do come Sunday to do on-site registration, come as early as possible so we have time to process your paperwork and let you get set up before the race.
For more information about the race on Sunday–including course information, participant emails and more, click here.
