Kids of Steel (KOS) & Young Athletes

BC SUMMER GAMES

The BC Summer Games are an amateur sporting event held every other year (even numbered years), aimed at developing and exposing young athletes to a multisport environment. Introduced in Victoria in 2000, the sport of Triathlon has become a core sport at the Games. As the first step of development, the BC Games serve as a precursor to the Western Canada Games, and the Canada Summer Games. Many BC Games athletes have gone on to represent BC at the National level, and to represent Canada at the ITU Triathlon World Championships! This year the BC Summer Games are coming to the community of Surrey.

Surrey 2012

The community of Surrey will be hosting the BC Summer Games July 19-22, 2012. The Triathlon competition will take place at the South Surrey Pool and participants will stay at the HT Thrift Elementary School. Triathlon BC is looking for athletes between the ages of 14 & 15 as of December 31, 2012 to compete in these fun and exciting games.

Competition Dates:

Friday July 20, 2012:

Aquathlon - 300m Swim/ 1km Run
Duathlon - 1km Bike/ 5km Swim/ 1km Run

Saturday July 21, 2012:

Triathlon - 400m Swim/ 10km Bike/ 3km Run

Zone Team Competition:

The province has been divided into eight zones ensuring participants from all areas of the province are included. Zone teams in Triathlon are comprised of 4 competitors per zone. There are also 14 wild card spots available to athletes. The maximum number of athletes who can attend the BC Summer Games in the sport of Triathlon is 46. Zone selection races and camps will be held throughout the province in May & June 2012.

Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches:

Each Zone will have one head coach and assistant coach per zone. Teams that include both male and female athletes must have coaches of the opposite gender. Each zone is required to have a Head Coach. Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches at the BC Games must travel to and from the Host Community with their team and stay in the BC Games accommodation.

Summer Games Contacts:

Provincials Sport Organization - Triathlon BC
Provincial Advisor - KC Emerson
Sport Chair - Tanya Williams
Assistant Provincial Advisor - Emily Vickery

Summer Games Zone Contacts:

Zone 1 - Heather Johnson
Zone 2 - Scott Jacobsen
Zone 3 - Brenda Lightfoot
Zone 4 - Yue-Ching Cheng
Zone 5 - KC Emerson
Zone 6 - Darcy Walters
Zone 7 - Crystal Thomas
Zone 8 - Jonathan Gilman

INTRODUCTION TO KIDS OF STEEL®

The Kids of Steel (KOS) program is Triathlon Canada's National Youth Development Program. It is aimed at athletes 7 (and under) to 19 years of age. At the age of 16, competitors become eligible to compete in some of the sprint races listed in the adult calendar.

The Kids of Steel® (KOS) program includes:

Specific age to distance competitions
Clinics and camps
Expos and events that raise awareness of participation in Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquathlon.

KOS Mission Statement

To guide youth development in triathlon and related multi-sport events through delivery of a standardized program across Canada.

The Kids of Steel® Program Promotes:

Healthy, Active Living - Triathlon as a lifestyle
Lifelong Participation - Recreation and competitive streams; developmentally appropriate training
Safety - Distance and equipment regulations; National race sanctioning standards
Fun - enjoyment of sport, celebration of personal excellents and camaraderie
Skill Development

Foundations

The foundations underlying the Kids of Steel® development model and program guidelines are based on sound theory, encompassing:

comprehensive research in youth sport
physiological, psychological and social growth development patterns
maturational issues
National sport development models
Olympic values

Kids of Steel (KOS) Program

Kids of Steel (KOS) Race Rules & Regulations

Age categories are based on an athlete's age as of December 31st of the current season.
Athletes are not permitted to "race up" in an older age category or longer race distance.

KOS AGE/DISTANCE RULES (MAXIMUM)

ATHLETE	SWIM	CYCLE	RUN
7 & U	50 metres	1.5 km	500 metres
8 to 9	100 metres	5 km	1 km
10 to 11	200 metres	5 km	2 km
12 to 13	300 metres	10 km	3 km
14 to 15	500 metres	10 km	4 km
16 to 19	750 metres	20 km	5 km
18 to 23 (U23)	1500 metres	40 km	10 km

KOS AGE/EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES

AGE	RACE EQUIPMENT	GEARING (recommended)
Under 7 to 13 years	No aerobars permitted Clipless pedals permitted (recessed cleat, entry on both sides of pedal. Wheels: minimum 16 spokes, 2.4mm maximum spoke depth, metal rim, 25mm maximum rim depth, 23C minimum tire width	45 x 16
14 to 19 years	Draft-legal aerobars permitted All clipless pedal systems permitted Wheels: most race wheels permitted as per UCI rules. 60mm maximum rim depth.	52 x 16

TO VIEW OUR YOUTH ORIENTED (KOS) SANCTIONED EVENTS, CLICK HERE

EXTERNAL SCHOOL SPORTS CREDIT PROGRAM

If you are a high-school-aged athlete, member of Triathlon BC, and have fulfilled the minimum eligibility for any of the approved programs listed below, please contact Triathlon BC to request a letter confirming your participation and to earn high school graduating credits!

Athlete 10, Zone Select Team
Athlete 11, BC Athlete Assistance Program
Athlete 12, Provincial Team - Nationals, Junior National Development Team or U23
National Development Team

A one-page information sheet is available as a pdf HERE.

A more comprehensive External Schools Credit Booklet is available for download HERE.

To access the entire External Sport Credentials Program course booklet that will provide detailed information on the program, please visit the Ministry of Educations website at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/courseinfo.

Select “Course Information for the Graduation Program” and go to Chapter 3 External Sport Course Information.

About Triathlon BC

Triathlon BC is the provincial governing body, dedicated to the growth, development and promotion of Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathon and Winter Triathlon for all athletes, regardless of skill or age.

The Sport

The sport of Triathlon is comprised of events that include swimming, cycling and running components. Distances include Sprint, Short Course (Olympic) and Long Distance. Triathlon Canada's Kids of Steel (KOS) events cater to youth athletes under the age of 19.

Vision

Triathlon BC will develop, promote and support the sport of Triathlon in British Columbia.

Triathlon BC gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.