The Wagga Triants Triathlon Club was formed in 1994 after several local triathletes discovered that there were others, just like themselves, that were travelling to other centres, mainly Sydney and Canberra to compete in events.

Ken Steinman, a PTI with the Navy, was one of the main instigators of the club and subsequently became the Triants first President. With strong input from several other members, the Wagga Triants formed a club that not only attracted the best athletes in the sport, it also filled a niche in providing a great alternative for people of any age and ability who were interested getting fit and staying healthy.

Some of the clubs first members were the Kahlefeldt Family, whose son Brad is now overseas competing against the worlds best in the ITU World Cup races. The Kahlefeldt's are a well known local sporting family and their involvement did not only encourage the sports most talented people, it also promoted the 'participation aspect' of the sport.

The clubs first race was a Duathlon event held during the winter of 1994. The event was a resounding success with approximately 150 competitors, most of whom had never before attempted a multi-sport event. The challenge of completing the course and gaining that amazing sense of achievement, that comes with finishing your first race, appeared to be a huge incentive to give the sport a go.

The following year, on Australia Day, the Club held its first Triathlon event, the 'Bug On A Bike', at Wagga’s Lake Albert.  The 'Bug On A Bike' proved to be a great success for the Club and became one of the 'keystone' events of the local triathlon season until 2006.  With an ever dwindling water supply in Lake Albert however, the Club sought alternative water sources to stage its annual event.  Following discussions with Charles Sturt University (CSU) in mid 2009 and subsequent agreement to host a triathlon event in and around the University, the Club made the decision to relocate the race to CSU in 2010. 

The Club subsequently staged the inaugural Wagga ‘Come and Try’ Triathlon at CSU on 31 January 2010, with the swim leg held in the CSU pool.  The format of the race entailed a 1.9km run/11km cycle/200m swim and a final 1.9km run in order to encourage participation by, and make the race achievable for, the beginner.  The event was highly successful with 141 individuals and 23 teams of up to 4 people competing, many of whom completed their first ever triathlon. 

Following the success of the ‘Come and Try’ Triathlon and the great support the Club received from CSU, Wagga Wagga City Council, NSW Police, the media and local business, Wagga Triants will again stage the race in 2011.  We look forward to seeing you at Charles Sturt University on Sunday, 30 January 2011, but in the interim feel free to attend one of the Club’s monthly training days at Apex Park, Lake Albert.  In the colder months, the Club’s training sessions are conducted in the duathlon format (run/cycle/run) with a swim added in summer when Lake Albert’s water supply (and quality) permits.  These training sessions are open to all standards and are all about getting out there and having a go.  After all, isn't that what it's all about!

Triathlon is one of a very limited number of sports where you compete against others based upon your age group. It is a sport where ability is not important, as long as you're out there enjoying yourself. The benefits of 'cross training', and in particular swimming, riding and running, have been well documented. If you enjoy keeping fit and healthy and want to be part of an organised sport that is flexible enough to allow you to do what you want, when you want, then Triathlon could be the sport for you.

The Wagga Triants is a great social group of people who are out there to get fit, stay healthy and have a good time doing it. Remember, you'll never ever know, if you never have a go!

For more information on coming events visit our events page.