Riptide Multisports, based in Golden, Colorado, is one of the top multisport youth and professional teams in the country. Youth aged 8-19 and emerging elite athletes from around the country are invited to become a part of this successful venture.

Riptide was formed in 2002 by director and head coach Sean Wendt as a development program for the sport of triathlon and duathlon. The team remains one of very few triathlon/duathlon development programs in the U.S. More importantly, it is the only organization in this niche athletic arena that trains both Youth, Junior, and Pro/Elite athletes. For this reason Riptide has been a unique oasis that multi discipline competitors can turn to in a sport where assistance is often found in limited supply.

The philosophy behind Riptide is one that functions on the ideals of inclusion and open participation. Youth and junior members have the opportunity to train at the pool together along with professionals. Bike rides and run sessions are coordinated in much the same way, so that everyone has a chance to work with and feed off each other, even as training schedules are catered to individual and age specific needs. The goal however has been the same from the top down, to achieve podiums at World Championships and the Olympics, nothing short of the best.

With such lofty goals in mind it is understood that success is primarily derived from sustained and managed progression. Riptide is a program that was designed to build enthusiasm, depth, support, and numbers to promote the multisport lifestyle, focusing on youth as the foundation. By far youth make up the largest numbers of the team with some 35 participants ranging in age from 8-19. There is much to be said about involving kids early on in sport. Athletes like Tiger Woods and Sean White, currently at the top of their game as professionals, were introduced to their respective athletic careers when they were barely able to walk. Early involvement helps ease the transition into a higher level of training and competition as youth are allowed the chance to acquire skills and file away experiences, both good and bad, without much of the time crunch and pressure that professional athletes face. The key is balance.

Maintaining that balance of fun and competitive challenge is what has helped lead a team like Riptide to several national youth and junior titles. But this system was not designed to be a piece of machinery pumping out accomplishment after accomplishment while burning off the rest. To join as a youth member is first and foremost about enjoying and appreciating all aspects of sport.

As it should be, the greatest pressures and expectations are placed on the elites. Over ten pros from assorted backgrounds, in only the past few years have amassed multiple World Cup triathlon and Duathlon World Championship appearances, along with numerous other accolades.

As Riptide Multisports continues to expand and succeed we look forward to competing in a neighborhood near you.