Tri-parishes exceed state test scores
June 2, 2011"Rythms on the River" (Morgan City)
June 6, 2011
Some people call today’s children the Nintendo Generation because of their affinity for video games and other sit-at-home activities.
Doctors are more likely to call them the Diabetes Generation because that inactivity has caused an increase in obesity, which results in childhood diseases.
A few locals are trying their best this month to break those old habits and get our youth some valuable time having fun in the sun.
The Mighty Kids Triathlon will take place June 26 at the Bayou Black Recreational Park and the event’s organizers say they hope the first-year event will provide children an alternative to couches and PlayStation controllers as they enjoy their usually dormant summer months.
“I thought that if children were introduced into this sport, they may love it,” said event organizer Natalie Lindsay. “From getting to love it, they’ll want to get better, which means they’ll practice and that will just encourage them to get outside and play. They might go run or go ride their bikes. Instead of playing their video games or watching TV, they might want to go for a swim, anything to stay active and healthy.”
At adult levels, a triathlon is a competitive event where participants race for the finish line to try and win a medal, a trophy or even a cash prize.
The Mighty Kids Triathlon will also provide trophies for those who finish at the top of their heats. But winning and competing isn’t what the event is about, it’s all about pride and being able to complete something difficult that you started.
Lindsay said every child who signs up and competes will receive a medal for participation and completion of the course.
Children 3 to 14 are able to compete in the event and five different competitions will be held, grouping children of similar ages together.
“Every child should be able to experience how awesome it is to do something hard and finish,” Lindsay said. “And know you did your best and just finish, so you can be like ‘Oh my God, that was so hard, but I did it.’ Every child deserves to have that feeling of accomplishment.”
To complete the USA Triathlon-sanctioned course will be just what Lindsay said – an accomplishment.
Children ages 3 to 4 (the tikes group) will be asked to swim 25 meters, bike 200 meters and run 100 meters. The 5- to 6-year-old age group (the squirts group) will have to swim 50 meters, bike one mile and run one kilometer. Children ages 7 to 8 (the sprouts group) will swim 75 meters, bike two miles and run one kilometer. Children ranging from 9 to 11 (the juniors group) will swim 100 meters, bike three miles and run 1.5 kilometers. And children from ages 12 to 14 (the seniors group) will swim 150 meters, bike four miles and run two kilometers.
Lindsay admitted the tasks do appear daunting on paper, but added the goal of the event is just to finish, no matter what a child’s time might be. She said no child will be hurried along the track and everyone will provide encouragement, regardless of a kid’s positioning compared to the rest of the field.
“Every child will be allowed to work at his or her own pace,” Lindsay said. “We’re not interested in times or competition. We’re interested in every child getting the opportunity to finish what they started.”
Since coming up with the idea and putting the event into fruition, Lindsay said she wondered whether people would sign their children up.
That question so far has been answered in a big way.
The event organizer said more than 100 children have already entered and registration will end at 150 kids.
She said parents both locally and as far away as Mississippi have inquired about taking their child to take part in the event.
“We’re real close to that 150 cutoff,” Lindsay said. “And largely, we’re seeing people sign up in our Houma, Thibodaux and Schriever area, but we’ve also got people from Marrero, Lafayette, Prairieville and Covington. We’re getting people from all over, which is exactly what we wanted. We wanted to get some tourism into here, too.”
So with less than 30 spots available, Lindsay said parents better act fast and visit https://www.mightykidstriathlon.org/register.htm if they want to register their child. Registration is $30 per child and includes a USAT license fee.
She added it’s an experience they won’t ever forget and a feeling of pride that no video game can provide.
“For parents to be able to see that smile on their child’s face when this is all done, it’s just unbelievable,” Lindsay said. “My children did their first last year and they were so excited and proud of themselves. When I looked around, I could see the smiles everywhere. Every kid that had done it was just beaming. Every child deserves that feeling.”
The Mighty Kids Triathlon
Where: Bayou Black Recreational Park,3688 Southdown Mandalay Road, Houma
When: Sunday, June 26 @ 7:30 a.m.
Cost: $20 per child
For More Info: mightykidstriathlon.org/register.htm
Seven-year-old Stephen Ragas paces the field as (from left) Ava Lindsay, Caroline Lindsay and Benjamin Ragas try to keep up. The children are training for the first-annual Mighty Kids Triathlon.
