Maitland Triathlon Club will hold its inaugural junior skills day at Maitland Park with the aim of refining its youngest members’ form on the bike, in the pool and during the run.

President Ja Davis said

previous Try a Tri days had successfully boosted the club’s junior ranks, with these new sessions designed to keep them interested in the sport by improving their performances.

Guided by level two triathlon and swimming coach Pete Mauro, a successful triathlete himself, the children will be taken through a structured program of drills aimed at improving their experience in the sport.

“We’re going to teach them drills that they can take away with them,” Davis said.

“We’ll teach them swim techniques unique to triathlons, teach them road safety on the bike and how to ride in a group for training rides.

“There will be specific drills to improve their running and there will also be a transition session, covering things like how to grab a bike and push out in a hurry, building up to mounting while they’re on the run.”

Davis said improving their transition skills could help the juniors gain “easy seconds” during a race.

Almost 30 children have signed up for the day already, with Davis expecting about 50 to turn up for what the club hopes will be the first of three such skills days this season.

“Each one will build on the one before, which will hopefully encourage the kids to come to all three,” he said.

“If the kids can start to learn some skills now, they may well end up as elite juniors.”

The junior skills day will run from 8 to 10am on Sunday, with participants asked to arrive at Maitland Pool no later than 7.45am to register.

Fully financial Maitland Triathlon Club members will be able to take part in the day for free, with other interested juniors charged $10.

Juniors are asked to bring swimmers, goggles, a bike, bike helmet, hat and shoes.

Registration will qualify them for a Maitland Triathlon Club bag containing a range of products including a t-shirt and swimming cap.

A free barbecue will be available after the skills session.