CLASH Endurance launches ‘From Zero to Tri’ Beginner Program

When CLASH Endurance CEO Bill Christy arrives at any race, he’s always looking around trying to figure out how things could be better. He takes that analytical mindset to the next level at his own races, which can lead to some fun for the crew trying to keep up with all the ideas. (I am all-too-aware of this process as the lead announcer at CLASH’s triathlon events.)

Which means that none of us were surprised at CLASH Daytona last month when Christy decided he wanted to run a beginner program a couple of days before the sprint triathlon on the Saturday morning. An email blast went out to all the competitors, offering them the opportunity to get some extra support at the race if they wanted. Despite the short notice, 36 people responded.

Christy “voluntold” the likes of 2008 Olympian Jarrod Shoemaker, IRONMAN champion Lisa Roberts and her husband John, and Olympic bronze medalist Paige Zemina Northcutt (pictured above with three first-timers) that they were going to be mentoring new athletes, and suddenly an ad hoc program was underway.

The group leaders did all the events with the newbies, ensuring their first experience with the sport was both successful and fun.

Now CLASH is looking to formalize the program a bit more. “From Zero to Tri” will target new triathletes and won’t just provide support on race day – there will be help leading into the race, too.

“There’s clear data showing younger generations leaning into triathlon, and the more we support their participation, the greater benefit and growth we’ll see within the industry,” Christy said. “We hope other event organizers will further this initiative.”

That data Christy is referring to comes on a couple of fronts. Last year IRONMAN reported that, in terms of age demographics, for the second year in a row the 30 to 34 age group was the largest category. A lot more athletes under the age of 30 are competing at the company’s events, too – there was a 35% increase in 2025 compared to 2024 for that demographic. First-time athletes under the age of 30 at IRONMAN events has more than doubled since 2019, while first-time participation for women in the 25 to 29 age group increased by 44% compared to 2024.

USA Triathlon has been reporting similar numbers for a couple of years now. The organization’s 2024 Impact Report showed that the biggest membership growth came in the 20-29 and 30-39 age categories, with the younger category seeing an additional 10,000 members in 2024 compared to 2023.

The first “From Zero to Tri” program gets started on Feb. 1 and is geared to help athletes preparing for the upcoming CLASH Endurance Coastal Mississippi race, which takes place from March 27 to 29. The program will include three online sessions with Shoemaker, Roberts and Slowtwitch contributor and pro triathlete, Sarah Bonner. TriDot coaches will also be involved in the program, and on hand throughout the race weekend to provide support to the athletes.

The online sessions will cover everything from equipment to nutrition to transition tips, and there will also be community forums to provide support and a sense of camaraderie.

“TriDot coaches will support all ‘From Zero to Tri’ athletes through online preparation sessions to help them understand what to expect and build confidence,” said TriDot’s Dan Caskie. “We want these newbies to feel supported from sign up through their finish line celebration.”

CLASH’s chief operating officer Andre Lapar has been involved in the sport for a couple of decades, and remembers similar programs being run in the old Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series.

“Sometimes old is new,” Lapar laughed. “I feel like the sport got away from that a little bit over the last few years. We really want to welcome first timers. Many of the younger athletes we see coming to the events are really fit, so they can do a sprint triathlon. We want to do everything we can to have success and make sure they aren’t one and done with triathlon.”

There’s an $18 fee for the program, and the athletes will get specific swim caps and t-shirts. Once the athletes get to the race site, they’ll be welcomed by volunteers to help them with everything from checking in to racking their bikes and setting up their transitions. Because the weekend of racing in Mississippi also includes the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club Championships, there will be college athletes on hand on race day to support the first timers, too.

You can get more information about the program at clashendurance.com

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