Welcome to the
SLAP Tri Team!
Welcome to the SLAP Tri Team…aka the #SLAPPERS!
We’re excited to have you join our community of passionate athletes dedicated to pushing boundaries and achieving greatness in triathlon, endurance sports, and fitness for life.
Whether you’re racing for a World Championship, or just getting started with multisport racing, you’ll find a home among our amazing coaching staff and welcoming teammates.
At SLAP, we have built a culture of inclusivity, support, and camaraderie. Every SLAP Tri Team member is valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Get ready to embark on an incredible journey of personal growth, unforgettable experiences, and shared triumphs. Together, we’ll help you conquer new challenges, be inspired, and celebrate every milestone along the way.
The Origin Story
The SLAP Tri Team is a collaboration of two passionate multi-sport organizations in Central Florida – the Swim Like a Pro coaching business, owned by Sara McLarty, and the Winter Garden Wheel Works bike store, owned by Dennis Jones. Both Sara & Dennis wanted to offer a high quality triathlon team experience in the area and joined forces in 2018 to offer the best of both worlds – coaching and gear – as well as uniting the community in a collective pursuit of athletic excellence. From that pivotal moment, the SLAP Tri Team #SLAPPERS emerged as a force to be reckoned with, not only in races but also in the hearts of its members who found family, friendship, and endless inspiration within its ranks.
The #SLAPPERS Story
The #SLAPPERS (a fun nickname that encapsulates the spirit of our team) are an extraordinary community of individuals! They’ve proudly represented the SLAP Tri Team at races spanning across the state, country, and globe.
From the junior and senior divisions of youth races, to the challenging distances of sprint, Olympic, 70.3, and Ironman events, as well as the rigorous Ultraman, swimrun, adventure races and more…the #SLAPPERS have conquered every race distance and style imaginable.
At home, our team is deeply committed to giving back to the community, whether through water testing at local open water venues, organizing garbage clean-ups along our training routes, hosting annual gear swap meets for budding athletes, or volunteering at local races and events.
Every year we select key events as “team races” and encourage a large participation of #SLAPPERS. We’ve earned notable team awards, including top team points at multiple Ironman events and USAT Regional Championships. We also organize social events through the year including holiday celebrations, training challenges, mock races, group dinners, team parties, and much more.
Our vibrant team kits, hats, socks, and training gear are not only designed for performance but also prioritize the safety of our members. Inspired by Coach Sara’s personal tragedy of losing her father to a cycling accident, we advocate for visibility on the roads, encouraging members to wear bright gear for enhanced safety and camaraderie among teammates.
SLAP Team Gear
We’ve had some awesome team kit designs over the years! The crew at Winter Garden Wheel Works make sure that the #SLAPPERS are outfitted and ready to race. Stop by the store on Plant St. to check out what’s in stock…or place your order in the online store.