Stories, podcasts and parent guides

🔒 Bedtime story Splash and the Big Blue Starting is the hard part 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Bolt Rides Without Training Wheels Wobbling is learning 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Dash and the Shoes That Were Too Big Growing into things takes time and patience. 6 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Day Splash Didn't Want To Showing up 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Bolt Tries the Swim Trying new things, even when they feel hard, can be a lot of fun. 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The New Kid at the Start Line Courage to join in, nobody knows anybody at first 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Hill That Bolt Couldn't Climb Persistence 9 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Dash's Long Race Keeping going 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Splash's Flat Tyre Day Adapting 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Puncture and the Puddle Bad days end 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story When Dash Came Last Finishing counts 6 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Bolt and the Broken Goggles Making do 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Race Where Everyone Laughed Sport is meant to be fun 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Splash's Silly Swim Play is fun and makes everything better. 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Muddiest Morning at Elwood Mess is fine 6 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Dash Dances at the Finish Be yourself 6 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Beach Picnic Race Belonging 6 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Bolt Waits for a Friend Kindness over placing 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Lost Cap Helping others makes everyone feel good. 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Splash Cheers the Last Swimmer Cheering for someone else can be the best part of the day. 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Dash and the Wrong Turn Telling the truth even when nobody saw 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Sharing the Squad Torpedo Working together makes things more fun and helps everyone succeed. 6 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Kid Who Was Nervous Empathy, noticing a wobbly feeling in someone else and quietly standing beside them. 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Splash Packs the Bag Being ready the night before makes big-day mornings easy and calm. 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Helmet First! Rules keep you safe 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Transition Tornado Tidy is fast 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Dash Learns to Sight Look where you're going 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Bell Zone Courtesy, a little warning before you pass is a little hello to a friend. 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Mount Line Muddle Practising the boring bits makes the fun bits fly. 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Splash's Early Night Rest is part of training, sleep is when the body quietly gets ready 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Medal With a Missing Piece Your season is yours, one round, one wedge, still worth it. 7 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Bolt and the Kid Who Was Faster Comparison steals joy; admiring what someone else can do keeps it 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Storm at Sandringham Disappointment passes. 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story Splash, Dash and Bolt Try Something New Beginners forever, there's always something new to be new at, and that's the good part. 8 min read 🔒 Bedtime story The Last Race of the Season Gratitude lives in the noticing 7 min read

🔒 Parent guide Can my kid actually do a triathlon? Wondering if your child is ready for a kids triathlon? Here's what 7–11-year-olds actually need to be able to do, no elite fitness required. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide The first race: an hour-by-hour walkthrough of a 2XU Series morning Not sure what to expect at your child's first 2XU TriKids race? Here's an honest, hour-by-hour guide to help the whole family arrive calm and ready. 7 min read 🔒 Parent guide What to buy, what to borrow, and what not to buy for a first season First TriKids season coming up? Here's exactly what your child needs, what you can borrow, and what's a waste of money before they've even raced. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Do they need a wetsuit? (Almost always: no) Wondering if your child needs a wetsuit for TriKids Melbourne? The short answer is almost always no, here's what you actually need to know before race day. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Choosing Your Child's First Triathlon Bike (And Why the Expensive One Is Usually the Wrong One) Thinking of buying your child a fancy bike for their first triathlon? Here's why a simpler, cheaper option almost always serves them better, and what to look for instead. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Bike setup in 10 minutes: seat height, brakes, tyres Get your child's bike race-ready in under ten minutes. A practical guide to seat height, brake reach, and tyre pressure for TriKids triathlon events. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide "Goggles that don't leak: fit, fog and the 30-second test" Leaky kids' swim goggles ruin a race morning. Learn how to fit goggles properly, stop fog, and run the 30-second test before your child's next triathlon. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Reading the Race Pack Without Panicking First TriKids race pack landed in your inbox and you have no idea where to start? Here's how to read it calmly and arrive on race day ready. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Race entry vs membership: what you're actually paying for Confused about TriKids membership vs race entry? Here's exactly what each option covers, what you get for your money, and how to decide what's right for your family. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide The night before: a calm-house checklist Race morning chaos is optional. This calm-house checklist helps TriKids families prep the night before so everyone arrives relaxed and race-day ready. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Why we don't train kids like small adults Training kids like miniature adults causes burnout and injury. Here's what the science says about how children actually develop, and why TriKids does it differently. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide How much is too much? Age-appropriate training loads for 7–11s Wondering how much training is too much for your 7–11 year old? A practical guide to age-appropriate training loads, rest days and keeping triathlon fun. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Open water is a skill, not a distance Open water swimming is a skill kids learn step by step, not a distance to conquer. Here's how bayside Melbourne families build it safely, from pool to bay. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide "Sighting: why kids swim crooked and how to fix it" "Kids swim crooked in open water because they can't see the buoy. Here's how sighting works and simple ways to teach it at home." 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Teaching a Kid to Ride in a Straight Line Wobbly riding is normal, but it holds kids back on race day. Here's how to teach straight-line cycling in your driveway before the season starts. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Braking before the corner, not in it Cornering safely is the skill that separates relaxed rides from white-knuckle ones. Here's how to teach your child to brake before the corner, not in it. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Mount and dismount lines without the crash Confused about the mount and dismount lines at kids' triathlon? Here's exactly what to practise, what to say, and how to stop the bike-pile-up. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Why Transitions Are the Most Fun Thing to Practise at Home Transitions are the secret weapon of triathlon, and the easiest skill to practise in your backyard. Here's why your kid will love it. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Running off the bike: the wobbly legs explained Your child's legs go jelly-like coming off the bike in triathlon. Here's the science behind it, why it's completely normal, and what actually helps. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Practising in the backyard: 12 drills with zero equipment Help your child train for their first triathlon without buying a thing. These 12 backyard drills build swim, bike and run skills in under 30 minutes. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide What to eat on race morning (and what to skip) Fuel your young triathlete right on race morning. Practical, fuss-free food tips for TriKids parents, what works, what backfires, and when to eat it. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Hydration for kids without the sugar Learn how to keep your young triathlete hydrated on race day and at training without relying on sugary sports drinks. Practical tips for parents. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Sun, wind and cold water: Melbourne bayside conditions A parent's guide to Melbourne bayside weather on TriKids race days, sun, wind and cold water at Elwood, St Kilda and Sandringham, and how to pack for it. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Where to stand: spectating each of our five venues A venue-by-venue guide for TriKids parents, where to stand, when to move, and how to catch every swim, ride and run across our five race locations. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide What to say at the start line (and what not to) The words you say to your child at the start line can make or break their race day. Here's what actually helps, and what to leave at home. 7 min read 🔒 Parent guide What to say at the finish line, win or lose The words you say to your child right after a race matter more than the race itself. Here's what to say (and what to skip) at the TriKids finish line. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide When your kid wants to quit mid-race Your child wants to stop during their triathlon race. Here's how to read the moment, respond well, and turn it into something they'll carry for years. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Bike Racking and Tent Etiquette at TriKids Events First triathlon with your kid? Here's everything you need to know about bike racking, transition setup, and tent etiquette at TriKids events. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide First aid basics for scraped knees and jellyfish Scraped knees and jellyfish stings are part of the bayside triathlon experience. Here's what to do on race day and at training, practical first aid for triathlon parents. 7 min read 🔒 Parent guide Post-race recovery for a 9-year-old (hint: it's a sandwich and a swim) Your 9-year-old just crossed the finish line, now what? Here's the simple post-race recovery routine that actually works for young triathletes. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Effort over outcome: why we don't time the kids TriKids races aren't officially timed, and that's by design. Here's why removing the clock is one of the best things we can do for young athletes. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Your kid is watching your face at the finish line Your reaction when your child finishes a triathlon shapes how they feel about sport. Here's what research and coaches know about the parent face effect. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide The Sideline Parent Problem Coaches see sideline behaviour parents never notice. Here's what's actually happening on the course, and the one change that makes your kid faster. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide When your kid is the slowest one out there Your child finished last at their TriKids triathlon. Here's what that moment actually means for their development, and what to do next. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Managing nerves: the night-before wobbles The night before a kids triathlon, nerves are normal, and manageable. Here's what's actually happening in your child's body and how to help them settle. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Comparison, siblings and the kid who "should be better" Why comparing siblings in sport backfires, and what to say instead. Practical, warm guidance for parents of kids aged 6–11 in Melbourne's TriKids community. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Should you coach your own child? Thinking about coaching your own child in triathlon? Here's how to protect both your relationship and their love of sport before you decide. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide Screen time, the app, and how we designed against streak pressure How TriKids designed its app to support your child's triathlon journey without addictive patterns, streak pressure, or endless screen time traps. 9 min read 🔒 Parent guide Signs of burnout in a young athlete Spot burnout in young athletes early. Learn the warning signs to watch for, why kids lose their spark, and how parents can bring the fun back to sport. 8 min read 🔒 Parent guide What happens after TriKids: pathways without the pressure Your child loved TriKids, now what? Explore the calm, pressure-free pathways that can keep kids active, confident and having fun for years to come. 8 min read

🔒 Podcast Why we started TriKids Welcome back to the TriKids podcast. I'm here with my co-host, and today we're doing something a little different. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast The participation-first philosophy, defended properly G'day and welcome back to the TriKids podcast, the show where two coaches chew over the questions parents actually ask at the race-day tent. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast What 20 years of coaching taught us about kids and pressure Welcome back. Today we are getting into something that comes up constantly with parents, pressure. Not the bad kind of parenting, necessarily, just the invisible… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast The five venues: a coach's tour of each course Welcome back to the TriKids podcast. I'm here with my co-host and today we are doing something I have been looking forward to for a while, a proper coach's tour of… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast Race-day mistakes we see every single round Welcome back. I'm here with my co-host and we are talking race day today, specifically the stuff that goes sideways, every single round, almost like clockwork. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast "My kid is scared of open water" Welcome back. Today we're talking about something that comes up constantly in our community, kids who love the pool, kids who've done laps, kids who are genuinely… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast "My kid came last and won't go back" Welcome back. Today we're talking about something that lands in our inbox more than almost anything else. A parent writes in and says: my kid finished last at their… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast "How do I know if they actually enjoy it?" Welcome back. I'm glad you found this episode because I think we're going to talk about something that sits in the back of every parent's mind, maybe quietly, maybe… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast "We can't afford three sports" Welcome back. I'm glad you're here, because today we're tackling something that comes up in our inbox more than almost anything else. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast "My kid only wants to do the swim" Welcome back to the TriKids podcast, the show for parents raising active kids around Melbourne's bayside. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast Ask a coach: the ten questions we get every season Welcome back to the TriKids podcast! We're so glad you could join us today. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast A Physio on Growing Bodies and the Injuries We Don't Want Welcome back to the TriKids podcast, the show for parents of young triathletes, wherever you are around the bayside and beyond. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast A dietitian on feeding a kid who trains Welcome back to the TriKids podcast, the show for parents of young triathletes around Melbourne's bayside. Today we're unpacking one of the questions we hear most at… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast A sports psych on nerves, comparison and pre-race meltdowns G'day and welcome back to the TriKids podcast, the show for mums, dads and carers of kids who love to swim, ride and run, right here in bayside Melbourne. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast A primary teacher on sport, concentration and the classroom Welcome back to the TriKids podcast, where we take one idea from the TriKids world and pull it apart until it's actually useful for your family. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast A TriKids parent, two seasons in Welcome back to the TriKids podcast! We're diving into something really special today: the real-world experience of a parent whose child has been part of the TriKids… 10 min listen 🔒 Podcast A TriKids graduate, now racing juniors Welcome back. Today we are talking about something that genuinely gives us a buzz, that moment when a kid who started with us at TriKids shows up at a junior… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast A race director on how a kids' race actually gets built Welcome back. Today we're pulling back the curtain on something most families never think about, the sheer amount of work that goes into building a kids' triathlon… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast A lifeguard on beach safety families get wrong Welcome back to the TriKids podcast. I'm here with my co-host, and today we're talking about something that every Melbourne bayside family needs to hear before they… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast A bike mechanic on the five-minute safety check Welcome back. Today we are talking bikes, specifically, what you should be checking before your kid clips their helmet on and rolls down to the start line. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast Season preview: what Round 1 at Elwood looks like Welcome to the TriKids podcast. Summer is close, the days are getting longer, and that means one thing around here: Round 1 of the season is nearly upon us. 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast Round 1 recap: what we saw Welcome back to the TriKids podcast. I'm here with my co-host, and today we are doing something a little different, we are recapping Round 1 of the 2XU Triathlon… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast Mid-season: keeping momentum through January Welcome back. We're right in the thick of the 2XU Triathlon Series now, St Kilda is done, Sandringham is coming up on the seventh of February, and January has a habit… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast Round 3 at Sandringham: the cliffs round Welcome back to the TriKids podcast. I'm here with my co-host, and today we are talking about Round 3, Sandringham, the seventh of February 2027. If you've been… 11 min listen 🔒 Podcast Championship preview: making the final round matter without pressure Welcome back. We are in the final stretch of the TriKids season, and if you've been following along, you'll know that the St Kilda championship round is just around… 11 min listen