Youth Triathlon Training in Clermont, FL
At Swim Like A Pro (SLAP), we know that every child is different — some are natural daredevils, others are cautious and need time to build confidence — and that’s exactly why our youth triathlon program exists.
Our goal is to make triathlon a fun, safe, and welcoming experience for kids ages 6–17, no matter their starting point.
From the very first practice, your child will be greeted by friendly coaches and teammates who are excited to help them learn and grow. Our USA Triathlon-certified coaches focus on teaching the fundamentals of swimming, biking, and running in a way that keeps kids engaged and feeling successful. Practices are carefully structured but full of encouragement, games, and positive energy — because we know kids learn best when they’re having fun.
Parents can feel confident knowing that safety comes first. We teach proper bike handling, road awareness, and race-day skills so kids know exactly what to do when it counts. We keep practices organized, communicate clearly about what to bring, and provide guidance on gear, races, and even healthy habits outside of practice.
Clermont’s lakes, trails, and year-round sunshine give our athletes a unique advantage — they get to train where some of the best triathletes in the world train! As kids progress, we offer pathways for every level, from learning how to complete a first kids’ triathlon all the way to preparing for national championships and beyond.
Most importantly, we focus on more than just swim-bike-run. Our athletes learn how to set goals, work through challenges, and celebrate achievements big and small. We want every child to leave practice feeling proud, connected, and excited to come back.
USA Triathlon Membership
Every athlete MUST have a current USA Triathlon Youth Annual Membership before participating in any SLAP training sessions. This $10 annual fee provides your child and our team with insurance. This membership is also required for participation in any USAT race or event.
Join the Facebook Group
Click to join the SLAP Youth & Junior Tri Team Facebook group for updates and news on events, training, racing, and socials. You can also post or look for equipment hand-me-downs and out-grown bikes for sale! We love posting photos from group training sessions...please let us know if your child should not be included.
Training Calendar
All the youth training sessions are posted on the calendar. Look for events that start with #miniSLAPPERS or stay tuned to the weekly emails and communication from our Team Manager. Every youth session requires pre-registration and payment so we know to expect your athlete(s) at training!
Sign the Waiver
The Swim Like a Pro waiver MUST be signed annually for all youth athlete before their first training group session or private lesson. Click the icon above or use the menu at the top of the page...and then select "Adults with Minors (Children under 18)". Complete the information for EACH child.
Clermont Based
Our home base is in Clermont, FL, conveniently in the middle of the state. We have team members from all over the state from Jacksonville to Miami to Tampa to Orlando. The athletes primarily train with their local swim/run teams but come together on the weekends for group sessions.
Questions?
Navigating the world of youth triathlon can be confusing! But we are here to make sure that your athlete and family are on the right path. Don't hesitate to reach out through the contact form below. Our Team Manager, Amanda, will be able to walk you through everything and answer all your questions.
Pay Here for Youth Training Sessions
($15 per hour)
Your Common Youth Triathlon Questions...Answered!
We welcome all kids between the ages of 6-17 years old. Each child must know how to swim across a 25 yard pool with their face in the water (we do not offer "learn to swim" lessons for children...we recommend googling a great program near you).
Each child must also have a working bike (no training wheels allowed) and a properly sized helmet.
There are no annual fees. Only single-session or monthly payments and additional fees for weekend camps/clinics. Athletes are encouraged (but not required) to purchase and race in a team kit (stay tuned for our bi-annual kit orders). We also have team shirts, cycling kits, running hats and visors, swim caps, etc. We understand that the sport itself is expensive and we don't require the purchase of any gear.
For insurance purposes, it is REQUIRED that your child has a USA Triathlon annual membership ($10) before attending ANY training session with the SLAP Tri Team. Please respect this requirement for our safety and the safety of your child(ren). Click here to purchase the membership online.
No problem! We welcome beginners and experienced triathletes. Kids learn fast and love to train with others. We will help you (the parents) navigate the world of triathlon and prepare you for spectating at your first event!
Here is a helpful list of equipment that you will need:
- a sporty swim suit
- goggles
- swim cap (provided by the team or the race)
- a bike with working brakes
- a properly sized helmet
- sunglasses (optional)
- dry-fit/sporty clothes for training
- 1-2 water bottles
- sunscreen & hat/visor
- running sneakers
- elastic laces (optional)
- race number belt
- transition mat or towel
- a large bag to carry all the above gear!
There are no competition requirements to participate in the team. Youth triathlon events are not common and usually require a bit of travel (St. Petersburg, Lecanto, Daytona, etc). We also encourage our younger athletes to partner up for relays at the adult races or encourage the older athletes to try the adult Sprint distance races when we feel they are fully prepared.
Athletes on the SLAP Development & High Performance Squad will be encouraged to travel and race out of town and out of state.
We have mutiple talented and experienced SLAP coaches that can be scheduled for one-on-one coaching sessions. Our most popular lessons are for transition lessons and cycling skills. More details, payment, and scheduling options are on the Youth 1-on-1 Lessons page.
We do not offer "learn to swim" lessons for children. We encourage you to find a great program near you to teach your child the basics of swimming. After that, we do offer technique sessions to help them learn how to swim freestyle faster!
Youth races will vary in distance from race to race, but typically fall in this range:
- the 10 and under age groups - 100 yard swim, 3 mile bike, and 1/2 mile run.
- the 11 and older age groups - 200 yard swim, 6 mile bike, and 1 mile run.
The SLAP High Performance Squad (HPS) athletes will compete in draft legal national cup races and local sprint or super-sprint races.
- Youth Elite (YE 13-15) - 375 meter swim, 6 mile bike, 1.5 mile run.
- Junior Elite (JE 16-19) - 750 meter swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run.
Check out the SLAP calendar for ALL the information (dates, times, locations, and more details) for all the #miniSLAPPERS training sessions, races, and camps.
Training sessions are $15 per athlete per hour. Races will have a link to the registration page (don't forget to check the weekly SLAP email for discount codes).
Most training sessions are taking place inside Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, FL. This is a great central location that offers our youth team safe roads and trails for training as well as a beautiful beach and lake for open water swimming.
We’re deeply grateful for the incredible support and inspiring stories from our SLAP community. Your achievements and growth fuel our passion for delivering exceptional coaching across Central Florida.