Important

"We need to get the word out that Camp Quality , CampTrillium and Ooch provide oncology kids with a higher quality of life. These camps run completely on donations from the public. In our situation quality of life is what it is all about. I need people to understand that families like mine NEED these camps just as much as we need the Doc’s , Nurses and medical treatments. Please sponsor me so I can help kids ( like my sister ) and their families get a chance to go to camp and be a kid while dealing with cancer. You can sponsor online at www.rideforkaren.com ( choose sponsor a rider at the top and enter my name - my donation page will come up ) or in person with me or mum or dad".
Thank - you
Jonathan P. Denoon

Ride For Karen

www.rideforkaren.com

Dryland butterfly with the future of Canadian swimming.

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

IamSpecialized. Whitfield vs. Gomez.... (I guess we did need a script).

yet another young Canadian triathlete working hard, loving the challenges and getting after it.

our own triathlon graphic!!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/canadian-makes-a-splash-on-world-triathlon-circuit/article1673847/

from the PTC blog (BC Provincial Triathlon Center) AUGUST 28t-29th training weekend

Junior Training Weekend - August 28-29

The PTC Vancouver invites athletes ages 14-19 who have an interest in junior triathlon racing to a training camp/weekend open house on August 28-29.

Meet current PTC members and coach Mark Bates, learn about aspects of junior racing such as race tactics, open water swimming, bike drafting, transitions and more.

Saturday August 28
9:00-2:00 UBC Aquatic Centre
Swim, Bike, Transitions, Classroom session

Sunday August 29
9:00-2:00 Sasamat Lake
Swim, Entries/Exits, Run, Talk, Mini-Aquathlon races

Cost: $25

Contact Mark (email - mark "at" 321coaching "dot" com or 604-787-2715)  to register and for more information. As the schedule may change, athletes MUST pre-register.

VAncouver Sun - re: youth Olympic games

Novice triathletes get their feet wet in Games

New international competition will produce next generation of stars, says Olympic gold medallist Simon Whitfield

By Yvonne Zacharias, Vancouver SunAugust 12, 2010

As two young triathletes from Vancouver Island headed off to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, there was one veteran athlete cheering them on from the sidelines.

That was Olympic gold medallist Simon Whitfield.

If only he had had this opportunity when he was young, life would have been so much easier.

The Victoria triathlete, who is now 35, made quite a splash when he shocked the world with his big Olympics win in 2000 in Sydney. That's what most people think of whenever the champion's name is mentioned.

What they don't realize is he struggled mightily in his youth for lack of a stepping stone.

Watching Brook Powell, 16, of Victoria, and Christine Ridenour, 18, of Cowichan Bay, heading off as the only two triathletes from Canada to compete in the Games, Whitfield recalled, "When I was their age, you had to race straight into the World Cup series. I spent quite a few years, without other options, getting absolutely hammered there."

A lot of his peers dropped out of the sport because there was nothing to bridge them from being a 16-year-old just getting into the sport to racing at a high-performance international level.

He points out that teenagers develop physically at widely varying rates, but they tend to have reached the same maturity by the time they are in their mid-20s. He sees the first Youth Olympic Games as one possible way of encouraging the late developers.

"I was absolutely crushed when I was 16 because I was in a 12-year-old's body running around getting beaten by kids who were just bigger and stronger."

The Youth Olympic Games are designed to be partly cultural in that they are an opportunity for athletes around the world to compete against each other and partly a celebration of sport. Whitfield believes that is key.

"If they can stay away from turning it into the circus that the Olympics sometimes become and just keep the purity of getting athletes together and in this case, young athletes, for pure competition and the proper values of sports, that will be one of the distinct ways of measuring their success."

The two young athletes, Ridenour and Powell, have worked hard to get to Singapore. Ridenour finished third and Powell finished eighth in qualifying races in Mexico this summer.

Before leaving, Ridenour said she realizes an event such as this can be overwhelming and distracting so she plans to work at staying focused. Powell said this is his first major international race on another continent. He doesn't know what to expect but he knows it will be memorable.

Alan Trivett, executive-director of Triathlon Canada, sees it as no accident that the only two triathletes from Canada competing in the Youth Olympic Games are from B.C. With a national triathlon centre in Victoria since the late 1990s and Penticton hosting the only Iron Man competition in Canada, the province is the epicentre of the sport, he said.

A combination of swimming, cycling and running, the sport is growing by leaps and bounds. Nationally, the number of kids' training camps has grown from 144 (2001) to 922 (2009); more impressive, the number of race participants has increased from 2,022 to 16,849.

While triathlon is busy establishing itself in the pantheon of sports, the Youth Olympic Games are still experimental. As with all newbies, this baby has yet to find its place.

Trivett said he supports the Games in principle, but he added the timing poses challenges because the world championships for the sport are held in early September. "It really challenges our ability to perform very well at the world championships."

Trivett said participation in the Youth Olympic Games is far more important than the results.

"Of course, we are looking for medals there. We want to do great but these Games are very much a cultural experience for the athletes," he said. "It is more about the Olympic experience and Olympic ideals than it is about who wins the most number of gold, silvers and bronzes, which is quite different than the regular Olympic Games."

special thanks to Dr. Jardine @ www.spidertech.com

music: band of horses - SWORD

recently. (plus a study in the overuse of the same photo vingette feature)

Ryder and GO CYCLING MAUI bring you the ultimate cycling experience.

Working together to give you a one of a kind Maui experience, Ryder, Donnie and the Four Seasons Wailea are excited to offer this unique camp to the cycling aficionado from modest to advanced fitness and experience - this is a camp for everyone; especially if you enjoy warm weather, perfect roads, exquisite cuisine and some of the world's best beaches.
Guests of these limited number camps can expect the highest level of professional treatment and world-class riding.  The week-long camp will foster a team environment from your arrival at Kahului (OGG) airport as you are transported to your five-star accommodations at the Four Seasons Wailea by the support team.
"Like a race the main focus is the performance of the rider," Ryder stresses. "I want every camp participant to experience riding and support like I do at the ProTour level - you can expect nothing less on Maui".
And support you'll get - here's a brief breakdown of what to expect: Complete mechanic service along with full mechanical ride support, specific equipment details organized on a one on one basis (Litespeed bikes are available if needed), all on-ride needs including food, drink, and clothing, basic after ride therapy sessions - with specialty massage or acupuncture available, daily riding-clothes laundry service - and a nurse on staff.  To your benefit, Maui guide experts know how to maximize every mile of riding through ride preparation; reading the wind and weather daily to provide the best experience possible.
With the Four Seasons as the five star accommodations partner, camp guests will be pampered on and off the bike.  Your day will start with complimentary breakfast, while preparing for the daily ride - and you'll be sharing stories of the previous day with the pros and fellow riders in the 'Clubhouse'; a special room provided by the Four Seasons and exclusive to camp participants - just like the common area often shared by teams in the pro-peloton.  You are welcome to bring your spouse or your own special guest as well - all rooms are based on double occupancy and the Four Seasons extensive client services and the beautiful, relaxing Wailea lifestyle ensures there is plenty to do when not on the bike.
Along with Ryder, Go Cycling Maui’s Donnie Arnoult and elite support staff you’ll be joined by other top cycling professionals, such as Ryder's Tour de France and GARMIN Transitions teammate, Christian Vande Velde, Ironman Champion Chris Lieto, and staff coach and Canadian Olympian Seamus McGrath for the cycling event of Winter 2010.  Reliving the memories with others will be an experience in itself; the entire camp will be captured through HD video and photography with highlights playing every evening in the 'Clubhouse' for you to enjoy with the fellow riders.
Clients are encouraged to register today to reserve their exclusive spot in what will undoubtedly be the cycling experience of a lifetime!  Once you’ve filled in the basic registration form provided, you’ll be contacted by a Go Cycling Maui staff member who will further facilitate the registration process and answer any questions you may have.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!