Scarab Triathlon Club

General

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Why the name Scarab?

• The club was founded by a group of swimmers who decided to try their hand at triathlons. Given their background, it seemed fun and fitting to name it Scarab, which stands for Swimmers Can Also Run And Bike. It also gave rise to our distinctive logo!

 

How many sessions do I need to join each week?

• There’s no minimum, you are free to join as many or as few as you like

 

I only want to join the swimming/cycling/running sessions, is that ok?

• Of course, this is very common. After all, some sessions will be better timed for different lifestyles and work patterns

 

What ability levels do you cater for?

• Actually, the ability level at Scarab is very wide. Some of us are complete beginners, some have prior experience at one (or two) of the sports while some longer standing members are very accomplished athletes. Last year we had many members completing their first triathlons while others were completing Ironman races in Wales and Barcelona (having completed numerous IMs before). We’re used to catering for the wide ability levels in our training sessions

 

Do I have to become a member to attend?

• No, not at first – we offer free sessions initially to enable you to experience the sessions and get a feel for the club and its members. Due to the events of Covid 19 we have had to introduce a booking system for the swimming as we are limited to 25 participants, and it is only fair that members be given first priority for the swimming. You will be asked to fill out a membership form with your details before your first session, and then if you decide you want to join the club you can make payment for the portion of the membership year remaining at that point.

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How do you communicate as a club? How will I know what’s going on?

• Our weapon of choice is Facebook. On our facebook group you will find details of upcoming training sessions and races, photos and reports from recent events as well as discussions. We also have a lively Whatsapp group for day-to-day chat, and if you wish to join that group please drop a comment on the Facebook page or email scarabtriathlonclub@gmail.com and you will be sent a link.

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Is the club dominated by young/old men/women?

• Triathlon, being a relatively new sport, is refreshingly mixed and attracts a cross section of people from all walks of life. Our membership is almost exactly 50:50 men/women and includes plenty of couples. While we don’t currently offer a junior section, we have members of all ages. In fact, last year, we had members compete in nearly every age group

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Do I have to compete to be a member?

• Not at all – most members do choose to compete, but by no means all.

 

What distances does the club focus on?

• The club caters for people training for everything from a Sprint distance triathlon all the way through to an Ironman. That said, as most of the sessions are 60-90 mins, they lend themselves particularly well to those competing from Sprint distance up to half-iron distance. If you are planning to compete in an iron-distance event, you would want to supplement the club sessions with longer training sessions as well. If you come along, we have multiple coaches who can advise you on your specific race, and a recommended training regime

 

I have signed up to an Ironman – can the club help me to train for it?

• A resounding YES! Many of our athletes and coaches compete in Ironman (or Iron-distance) events and many, including our Head-Coach Simon, have completed many IMs over the years. They can advise you on how to break your training down through time, how to split your training between the three sports, what to supplement the club sessions with, how to manage nutrition, and most of all, when and how much to rest!

 

Do I have to buy the club kit if I join?

• Not at all. While many members choose to wear the club kit with pride during training and racing, there is no requirement to do so. Many people begin by buying inexpensive cycling and tri kit when they first begin, but after a few uses start to yearn for something of higher quality. Our club kit is produced by Apex Custom which offer the best quality kit we have come across. As a result, it is excellent kit to graduate on to as and when you want something better. Club kit orders are placed several times a year, so if you do wish to buy kit there are regular opportunities to do so. There are no minimum order quantities so we can open an order window whenever there is demand.

 

How do I join?

• Simple – download the membership form from the website, fill it in and bring it with you with the membership fee to your next session

 

Do I have to live in Wilmslow?

• No – most of our members are based across South Manchester, but there is no requirement at all

 

I’m sold…I want to come along. What do I do now?

• Just call or email us and let us know which session you plan to attend and we can answer any questions you may have. Our details can be found in the Contact Us section. Simples!

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