First, I think it is unlikely that USAT would implement certification programs. Triathlon is a business and becoming a big business. They are put on by Production companies for profit. Not all of them are for charity and even the ones that are, hire production companies for a fee to put the race on. More participants equals more dollars.
Second, who is most responsible for a participants well being, the race organiziers or the individual? I know this is not current trend in this country but I vote for the individual. Individual freedom includes the freedom to fail and or die in there persuit of happiness.
Third, what happens when someone goes belly up even though they were "certified" is there an investigation, were standards not high enough were the trainers incompetent?
Finally, as an organization (USMS) we should warn potential participants of the dangers, educate, provide clinics and training but not place restrictions on people.
Plus, I for one enjoy reading the Darwin awards....:) There carbon friendly.
One may avoid reality, but one cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.
(Ayn Rand)
I think USMS can help by encouraging coaches to create an atmosphere that is welcoming to triathletes. Many triathletes have the impression that masters swimming is professional swimming where only elites and former competitive swimmers are welcome. Most masters programs have quite a few triathletes in them, but I am hopeful that even the newbie can feel that it is a place where they belong.
I don't think a certification program is a good idea either because of the reasons you suggest. A qualification process would eliminate the problems associated with certification. So it may take a few more volunteers or USAT may have to charge a little more to cover the "cost" of checking a beginner's qualifications. Seems worth it to me.
People should appreciate and understand the dangers, but unfortunately, they don't. Since triathlon is becoming a big business and for profit, like it or not, society will expect there to be regulations in place with this big business so that the participants are "protected." With the publicity surrounding the high number of deaths in triathlons, this expectation will sooner or later be revealed in an enormous jury verdict unless USAT takes some kind of action now.
So, USAT can do something about it now or wait for the jury verdict which will then result in higher costs for insurance coverage. Guess who will end up paying for the increased insurance coverage? The triathlete. I'd rather USAT do something about it now so I won't end up having to pay $100 to enter a local sprint triathlon down the road.
First, I think it is unlikely that USAT would implement certification programs. Triathlon is a business and becoming a big business. They are put on by Production companies for profit. Not all of them are for charity and even the ones that are, hire production companies for a fee to put the race on. More participants equals more dollars.
Second, who is most responsible for a participants well being, the race organiziers or the individual? I know this is not current trend in this country but I vote for the individual. Individual freedom includes the freedom to fail and or die in there persuit of happiness.
Third, what happens when someone goes belly up even though they were "certified" is there an investigation, were standards not high enough were the trainers incompetent?
Finally, as an organization (USMS) we should warn potential participants of the dangers, educate, provide clinics and training but not place restrictions on people.
Plus, I for one enjoy reading the Darwin awards....:) There carbon friendly.
One may avoid reality, but one cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.
(Ayn Rand)
I think USMS can help by encouraging coaches to create an atmosphere that is welcoming to triathletes. Many triathletes have the impression that masters swimming is professional swimming where only elites and former competitive swimmers are welcome. Most masters programs have quite a few triathletes in them, but I am hopeful that even the newbie can feel that it is a place where they belong.
I don't think a certification program is a good idea either because of the reasons you suggest. A qualification process would eliminate the problems associated with certification. So it may take a few more volunteers or USAT may have to charge a little more to cover the "cost" of checking a beginner's qualifications. Seems worth it to me.
People should appreciate and understand the dangers, but unfortunately, they don't. Since triathlon is becoming a big business and for profit, like it or not, society will expect there to be regulations in place with this big business so that the participants are "protected." With the publicity surrounding the high number of deaths in triathlons, this expectation will sooner or later be revealed in an enormous jury verdict unless USAT takes some kind of action now.
So, USAT can do something about it now or wait for the jury verdict which will then result in higher costs for insurance coverage. Guess who will end up paying for the increased insurance coverage? The triathlete. I'd rather USAT do something about it now so I won't end up having to pay $100 to enter a local sprint triathlon down the road.
