Question 1

What's the minimum age, and what is "race age"?

Accepted Answer

Athletes must be at least race age 7. Race age is the age your athlete will be on December 31 of the race year.

Question 2

Which team is right for my athlete?

Accepted Answer

Competition is our entry-level team (ages 6–12). Travel is intermediate (race age 7–12). Teen & High School is entry to intermediate (race age 13–19). Draft Legal is elite (race age 13–19). Not sure? Email us.

Question 3

When and where are practices?

Accepted Answer

Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 PM (Wednesday is occasional during triathlon season) and Sundays at 3 PM (occasionally 10 AM). Most practices are at Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia. Open water swims are at Hammerman Area, Gunpowder Falls State Park. Exact spots go out in Google Calendar invites after you register.

Question 4

What's included in the price?

Accepted Answer

Coaching, practices and on-site race support. Uniforms and race entry fees are separate. Siblings get 50% off.

Question 5

How long is practice?

Accepted Answer

Practices run exactly one hour and start on time. A few open water swims run 1.5 hours.

Question 6

Are there practice attendance requirements?

Accepted Answer

There's no minimum. Progress and race performance depend on attendance. Most athletes average two sessions a week, and early-season practices matter most.

Question 7

Are there tryouts?

Accepted Answer

Everyone who tries out gets a roster spot; tryouts set practice groups. Triathlon tryouts are in December. Returning athletes skip them.

Question 8

Is there a waitlist?

Accepted Answer

Triathlon sells out quickly. Openings are confirmed after returning athletes re-enroll in December, and year-round families keep their spot all season.

Question 9

How well does my athlete need to swim?

Accepted Answer

Minimum continuous swim (without stopping) by race age: 10 and under: 50 meters; 11–12: 100 meters; 13–15: 150 meters; 16 and over: up to 750 meters for sprint races. S.E.T. doesn't run a swim team; competitive athletes swim year-round with a club, and we can recommend one.

Question 10

What equipment is needed? Do you have loaner bikes?

Accepted Answer

A bike, helmet, plastic water bottle and running shoes. Loaner road bikes are fitted by height and inseam and billed separately.

Question 11

Can we try a practice first?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Families can visit a practice before committing. Email us to set one up.

Youth Triathlon Teams

Youth triathlon teams

Youth triathlon FAQs