General

Do Parents need to purchase Cowabunga Bay Water Park Passes to watch the triathlon?

An admission ticket is NOT needed to watch the race before the park opens.  Only parents who plan to visit Cowabunga Bay Water Park after the race MUST buy additional admission tickets when registering their child for the Las Vegas Kids Triathlon.  Additional admission tickets are available to purchase while registering for the Las Vegas Kids Triathlon for a discounted rate of $20.    Admission tickets are good for the last weekend of Cowabunga Canyon Park Season that the Las Vegas Kids Triathlon is held or for the 2026 park season.  If you need to purchase additional admission tickets after already registering your child, please email the race before September 11, 2025 for instructions on how to get additional tickets..

Will I need to pay for parking to go watch the race?

No, but if you leave the parking lot after the race, you will need to pay for re-entry into the parking area.

What is the order of a triathlon?

Swim, Bike, Run.  Transition 1 or T1 is between the swim to bike and Transition 2 is between the bike to run.  All disciplines and transitions are included in the total time of a participant's race.

How is the race timed?

Using your child’s race number that has been written on their arm, the timers enter this number into the computer timing system, and your child can enter the water to start their race.  In transition 1 your child must put on their race bib and wear their bib through the bike, run, and to the finish line. Total time will be recorded when athletes cross the finish line.

Can I change out of my swim suit after the swim?

No.

Can I wear my race bib during the swim?

No.  Attach your bib to your shirt with the pins provided or a race belt and put either on during transition.  Wear your bib during the bike, run, and to the finish.

What if I loose my bib?

You will still be able to race exhibition, but we won't be able to time you for awards.

When, what, why, and how for body markings?

All participants must be body marked for safety, identification, and competition when they pick up their packet.   Participant race numbers will be written on the outside of left/right arms and legs. Their age will be written on their right back calf.

Can I change my child’s race distance as an 10 or 11 year old?

As long as you email the race 7 days prior to the race, we can change your race child's distance.

Where can I park on race day?

Parking will be available in the Cowabunga Bay Water Park parking area.

What if my child is not present for awards?

We encourage your child to stay for the awards as we announce and celebrate the podium winners!  If your child is announced as a podium finisher (1st, 2nd, or 3rd), and you must leave early, please email the race for instructions to claim his/her award.  Awards are shipped in bulk and there is a $15 shipping and handling fee to receive the award.  Allow up to 2-3 weeks to deliver awards after payment is received.

 

 

Packet Pickup

Is the triathlon USAT sanctioned event?

No.

Can a friend pick up my child’s packet?

No, only the parent of the participant may pick up a participant's packet.

Can I pick up my child’s race packet on race morning?

For Race Morning Packet Pickup, pay $10 for the 6:00AM race morning packet pickup through registration.   If you pick up your packet on race morning without paying the $10 fee, the water park admission ticket included with race registration will be forfeited.  For race morning packet pickup, parents must sign to receive their child's race packet and park entries on race morning at the main entrance of Cowabunga Canyon Water Park.    Participants will receive their body markings.  Apply bike/helmet stickers and take all equipment to transition.  For the safety of everyone, participants must walk their bike in the park.  If your plans change and you need to pick up your packet on race morning, please email the race at least 3 days prior to the event so we may invoice you for the additional fee.

Transition

Will my child’s equipment be safe in transition?

Overnight security will be used to keep all equipment safe.  Volunteers monitor the transition area and will check to make sure that equipment matches the body marks on participants before equipment leaves the transition area.

Is there any time I can enter transition with my child?

For safety and security concerns, the transition area will only be open to athletes and volunteers assisting participants throughout the race.  Volunteers will assist participants in setting up their transition prior to the race.  If needed, only prior to the race start, parents of 6 and 7 year old participants may check in with a volunteer to assist their child in setting up their transition area.

After all participants finish the bike course, transition will open for athletes to remove their equipment.   One Parent/Guardian may accompany their child for equipment removal.   We thank you in advance for your cooperation on this matter.

When can my child retrieve their bike and race gear after they have raced? 

Transition will be open for participants to remove these items as soon as the last cyclist has finished their bike and exited to start their run. After it has been announced that transition area is open, participants will need to show their race bib and body markings to enter, verify, and remove their belongings.  Only one parent is allowed to accompany and assist their child in transition at this time.

 

Swim

 

Can my child wear a life vest or use a kickboard?

Participants must be able to swim 50yds freestyle or they will have to wear an OSHA approved life vest provided by the race.  Kickboards are allowed, but participants must be able to swim 50yds freestyle without assistance.  Floaties are not allowed.  No paddles, fins, or any device that would assist in forward propulsion are allowed.  

What if my child wants to swim another stroke?

That is completely okay.  Most children will swim freestyle.  Children can swim whatever propels them forward.

Can my child pass participants, rest on the wall, or stand during the swim?

All allowed.

Bike

Does my child have to wear their helmet just for the race?

Helmets must be on and buckled anytime participants are on their bikes. They will not be able to race and will be disqualified if they do not wear their helmet.  We ask that participants walk their bikes through the water park and parking lots for the safety of cars, pedestrians, and themselves. All participants must have helmets with the US-CPSC sticker inside in order to race.  This regulation sets performance requirements for helmets to protect bicycle riders from head injuries caused by falls or crashes.

Are mountain bikes allowed?

Yes.  Most kids ride them.  Bikes must be in working order, and handlebar ends must be plugged.  Take you bike to a bike store for a tune up to make sure it is safe to ride at the race.

What about training wheels?

Allowed.

Are arrow bars or disc wheels allowed?

Sorry, none of these are allowed.

What if long course participants skip their second loop?

In fairness to all other athletes, they will be disqualified.  Race participants are responsible for knowing and staying on course.  NO EXCEPTIONS

Long course participants must complete two laps of the bike course.  They'll dismount at the Pearl Street Entrance to transition by stopping in front of a volunteer to safely receive a RED STICKER on their helmet.  Volunteers will say "participant's #, GO!" to signal participants to run their bike past the mount line and start their second lap.  Race marshals will be checking/matching helmets and bikes as they enter transition and after bikes are racked to see if long course participants have their race stickers on their helmet.

Run

Can my child walk during the run?

Of course!

Can my child ride their bike or run barefoot?

All participants must wear shoes.