Triathlon with a difference: Soggy Bottom
We all know the slogan ‘Swim-Bike-Run’, has become synonymous with triathlon. Well now there is a new kid on the block ‘Paddle-Pedal-Run’. A triathlon with a difference. And it’s all down to a ‘Soggy Bottom’.
At 8.30am on Saturday 27th June, event organisers ‘Believe and Achieve’ run their seasons second ‘Soggy Bottom Triathlon’ where participants will for the first leg of the three-triathlon disciplines, kayak around the costal waterside against the backdrop of the idyllic award-winning beach shores of Hayling Island on the south coast of England, east of Portsmouth.
This is a fun event for all the family of all different skill levels consisting of 1.5km Kayak Paddle, 20km Bike Ride and 5km run which will commence from the Andrew Simpson Water-Sports Centre, Portsmouth.
The idea of participating in a Triathlon event appeals to many people – sometimes more that doing one. You like the thought of biking and running but dipping your toes into the open waters of a lake or the sea is often the roadblock to getting involved. This should not come as surprise as according to statistics ‘one in three adults’ in the UK cannot swim.
To put things in perspective we are not talking Kayaking in Olympic class V rapids but kayaking close to the shore in calm sea with buoyancy safety life jackets aids. If your nervous of swimming in water or can’t swim, then kayaking is one of the best ways to enjoy the wonders of the water.
On the surface of it, this event is quite like standard triathlon, you run and cycle, it’s just kayaking replaces the swim leg. The process is quite simplistic, simply paddle, left, right, left, right. You will pick it up in 30 seconds. The kayaks themselves are quite robust and are designed to keep you on board. It can take anywhere from 8 – 15 mins depending on how efficient you are at cutting through the waves.
If you’re not nautical by nature, and the terms ‘bow’ and ‘stern’ means ‘bending’ and ‘serious’, fear not as there will be a water safety fleet of volunteers acting as the eyes and ears for any problems you may encounter.
All you need for this event is a bike and a pair of trainers. You can leave the wet-suit at home.
If this race appeals to you there is still an opportunity to enter event 3 of the ‘Soggy Bottom Triathlon’ series, being held on the 25th of July, for £25 which can be booked online here.
A great event for those wishing to avoid the soggy bottom feeling!.
