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The Weekend Sun
Trying the TRYathlon is the best part
Tauranga brothers Mason and Maclain Kritz are excited about participating in Sunday’s Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon at Pilot Bay.
Tauranga brothers Mason and Maclain Kritz will be among about 700 youngsters, aged seven-15, racing around the Sanitarium WeetBix Kids TRYathlon’s new Mount venue this Sunday. But nine-year-old Mason says the event, who he’ll be sharing with Maclain, aged seven, and a friend from Auckland, is strictly for fun. “Heaps of kids participate and it’s not about winning it’s just about having fun and enjoying the time at the tryathlon,” says Mason, who is embarking on his third Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon. “The first year I was on a team with two of my friends. Last year my best friend Seb Towers and I competed together – we had so much fun. “I’ve moved from Auckland to
Tauranga and he’s now coming down here to participate with me at the Mount, then I’m going to Auckland to do the North Shore event with him.” This year’s event is taking place one month earlier at a new location – Pilot Bay – coming under the umbrella of this weekend’s inaugural Mount festival of Multisport. Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company general manager Pierre van Heerden says they’ve never provided an event out of school term. “We wanted to look at an event that allowed kids to participate during the holiday break. “Mount Maunganui provides an ideal location for this as it’s an extremely popular holiday destination. We also felt there was a nice synergy for kids to participate on
part of the same course elite adult athletes use on the day prior, for the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman.” Pierre says connecting with the multisport festival offers something the whole family can be part of, with events for all age groups. “We’ve also been lucky enough to share the use of infrastructure and coordinate promotion of all the events under the festival’s umbrella.” Meanwhile, Mason’s been training. “Biking, swimming and running – I need to do two of those a day,” says the Bethlehem Primary School pupil. “At the Tryathlon I get to do some of my favourite things. “I like it because it’s about fun and participation.” Pierre agrees this is the events’ drawcard, with 12 schools registered. “It’s all about giving sport a
try in a fun and rewarding environment and it’s a great way for kids to get active with their friends. “It’s turned into a rite-of-passage for youngsters and is the world’s largest triathlon series for under 16s, certified by the International Triathlon Union. “Every child who takes part will feel like a champion.” Seven-year-olds participate in a 50m swim, 4km cycle and 1.5km run; those eight-10 do a 100m swim, 4km cycle and 1.5km run; and 11-15-year-olds complete a 200m swim, 8km cycle and a 1.5km run. Sunday registrations, costing $42.50, are permitted between 7am-8am, with a briefing at 8.30am before the event starts at 9am. See www.try.weetbix.co.nz
By Merle Foster
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Keen photographers are encouraged to get amongst it in the Bay of Plenty to snap their best photos to enter in the Photographic Society of New Zealand’s 63rd annual convention and exhibition. A selection of the most eye-catching shots will be displayed at the 2015 ‘Exploring Pixels’ exhibition, hosted by Tauranga Photographic Society at Tauranga Racecourse on April 29-May 3. Aspiring shutterbugs are encouraged to snap their photographs this month and right up to March 20, with images to be submitted between February 1 and March 31. Entries can be uploaded to media@bayofplentynz. com with the subject line: photography competition entry. Or go to www.sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section. Photographers are asked to spontaneously capture the natural beauty of the region or show family and friends enjoying what the Bay of Plenty has to offer. The National Photography Exhibition’s convention – dubbed Natex – will showcase about 350 high quality printed images and 200 projected images, open for public viewing on May 2.
Healthy New Year’s debates Thousands of people enjoyed the atmosphere throughout the Mount during New Year’s period, even though I heard some locals bond over how much they hate this time of year. It sparked a few topics for locals to debate. I’m pleased young people once again proved they can have fun together without causing too much disruption during the festive season. It works well when there are experienced event managers that know what they’re doing, there are good relationships with the Police, and there is something for young people to do. People have suggested allowing a private company to run the Mount’s New Year’s Eve event. While it would save ratepayers money, it would restrict public access to Main Beach and probably restrict the fun to over 18-year-olds, and those aged 17 or younger may look for their own fun in the neighbouring streets. Residents contacted me to suggest ways the city could capitalise on visitors wanting to spend money during summer. For example, some people suggested Tauranga needs a water-based theme park. Read this column in full on www.sunlive.co.nz