2022 Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series Announced by USA Triathlon

USA Triathlon announced its 2022 Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series, featuring more than 45 swim-run events in cities across the United States this season. Additional events will be added to the calendar as the season progresses.

The series, launched in 2012 with 30 events, is designed to introduce youth athletes between the ages of 7 and 15 to the multisport lifestyle through the unique discipline of aquathlon (swim-run). With a focus on participation and fun, rather than competition, many of the events are not timed.

At all Splash & Dash events, participants ages 7-10 will complete a 100-meter pool swim and an approximate 1-kilometer run, while athletes ages 11-15 will complete a 200m pool swim and an approximate 2k run. All participants will receive a unique, custom finishers’ medal and giveaways.

The Splash & Dash Series is a part of USA Triathlon’s emphasis on increasing opportunities and access to multisport events and clinics for current and prospective youth multisport athletes. As part of its 2022 Return to Racing Youth Stimulus Package, USA Triathlon is offering free youth event sanctioning, free youth clinic sanctioning, free registration for youth clubs and expansion of the Youth Scholarship Program.

In addition, USA Triathlon will donate 10 free youth memberships directly to race directors and clubs for every youth sanctioned race and youth club. Race directors and clubs are encouraged to distribute these memberships to underserved and underrepresented youth and communities at their discretion.

“With a focus on participation rather than competition, minimal gear and equipment requirements and approachable race distances, the Splash & Dash Series offers a great way for youth athletes to ‘get their feet wet’ and try multisport in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere,” said Brian D’Amico, Director of Events at USA Triathlon. “USA Triathlon is committed to growing the sport at the youth level and working together with local communities and race directors to break through barriers of entry to the sport. We are grateful to our race directors for their commitment to hosting safe events for youth athletes and helping introduce the great lifestyle of multisport in a fun-filled way.”

The Splash & Dash series is structured to align with the American Development Model (ADM), a concerted effort between the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and its sport National Governing Bodies to apply long-term athlete development principles in a way that resonates with the culture of sport in the United States.

The ADM aims to create early positive experiences for youth athletes across all sports by promoting sustained sport participation. Emphasis is placed on developmentally appropriate activities, including foundational skill development, coordination, and motor control. The ADM also supports universal access and opportunity for all athletes; encourages multi-sport participation versus early specialization; and promotes the establishment of a fun, challenging and engaging atmosphere through quality coaching at all levels.

USA Triathlon is still accepting applications to host 2022 Splash & Dash Series events. Race directors may apply at this link and are encouraged to contact programs@usatriathlon.org with any questions. New benefits for race directors hosting a 2022 Splash & Dash series event include waived youth sanctioning fees and USA Triathlon-branded drawstring bags available for race participants.

Visit usatriathlon.org/splashanddashfor the latest event calendar and complete information on the series. The series calendar and locations are subject to change.

2022 Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series Calendar (as of March 24):

April 10 — Playtri Youth Splash and Dash (McKinney, Texas)
April 23 — Houston Texans Kids Triathlon (Katy, Texas)
April 24 — Pikes Peak Open House Splash and Dash (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
April 28 — Westfields Triathlon Splash and Dash (Chantilly, Va.)
May 15 — RVA Splash and Dash Series (Richmond, Va.)
May 22 — Paragon Splash & Dash #1 (San Antonio, Texas)
May 28 — RVA Splash and Dash Series (Richmond, Va.)
May 29 — E3 Endurance 7.03 Junior Tri Series (Greensboro, N.C.)
May 29 — Mission Viejo Splash and Dash (Mission Viejo, N.C.)
June 4 — RVA Splash and Dash Series (Richmond, Va.)
June 4 — Rev3 New England Splash and Dash Series (Webster, Mass.)
June 5 — CORE Superhero Splash and Dash (Virtual)
June 5 — Central YMCA Splash & Dash (Willington, Del.)
June 11 — PowerWatt Gator Chase (Los Fresnos, Texas)
June 11 — Norwich Splash and Dash (Norwich, Conn.)
June 11 — RVA Splash and Dash Series (Richmond, Va.)
June 12 — Kids Splash and Dash at Lincoln Park Pool (Grand Junction, Colo.)
June 18 — RVA Splash and Dash Series (Richmond, Va.)
June 19 — Paragon Splash & Dash #2 (San Antonio, Texas)
June 19 — E3 Endurance 7.03 Junior Tri Series (Greensboro, N.C.)
June 25 — Pikes Peak Swim-Run Series (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
June 25 — Tri-NOW KIDS! Splash and Dash (Dallas, Texas)
June 25 — RVA Splash and Dash Series (Richmond, Va.)
June 28 — Alaska Kid’s Splash ‘n Dash Series #1 (Anchorage, Alaska)
June 30 — CORE Superhero Splash and Dash (Virtual)
July 3 — RVA Splash and Dash Series (Richmond, Va.)
July 9 — Women’s Philadelphia Kids’ Splash and Dash (Philadelphia, Pa.)
July 9 — Lake Whatcom Splash and Dash (Bellingham, Wash.)
July 12 — Alaska Kid’s Splash n’ Dash Series #2 (Anchorage, Alaska)
July 16 — RVA Splash and Dash Series (Richmond, Va.)
July 17 — Paragon Splash & Dash #3 (San Antonio, Texas)
July 21 — MMTT Splash and Dash (Geneva, Ill.)
July 23 — Boston Triathlon (S. Boston, Mass.)
July 24 — Montclair Splash and Dash (Montclair, Va.)
July 24 — Kids Splash N Dash at Peachbowl Park Pool (Palisade, Colo.)
July 26 — Alaska Kid’s Splash n’ Dash Race Series #3 (Anchorage, Alaska)
July 30 — Alexandria Triathlon (Alexandria, Minn.)
July 31 — Kids Splash N Dash at North Fork Pool (Hotchkiss, Colo.)
Aug. 14 — Paragon Splash & Dash #4 (San Antonio, Texas)
Aug. 23 — T-Rex Tri Splash and Dash Series (Brighton, Mich.)
Aug. 26 — Maple Grove Tri Youth Splash and Dash (Maple Grove, Minn.)
Aug. 27 — E3 Endurance 7.03 Junior Tri Series (Greensboro, N.C.)
Aug. 27 — Tri Faster Splash and Dash Youth Aquathlon Series (Menomonee Falls, Wis.)
Sept. 18 — YMCA Central Maine Youth Splash and Dash (Lewiston, Maine)
Sept. 18 — San Diego Kids Splash and Dash (San Diego, Calif.)
Oct. 10 — Alpha Win (Saugerties, N.Y.)
Oct. 16 — Tri-Now KIDS! Splash and Dash (Dallas, Texas)