Para Triathlon

Interested in trying Para Triathlon? Submit an Athlete Interest Form Below!

Para Triathlon

Triathlon Canada has developed one of the top para-sport programs in the world over the last decade which has resulted in multiple medal-winning results internationally, at numerous World Championships and at each of the Para Olympic Games.

One of the newest sports added to the Paralympics, para triathlon debuted at the 2016 Rio Games where Canada’s Stefan Daniel celebrated a silver medal. Since that breakthrough day on Copacabana Beach, the sport has not lost sight of its two major goals: introduce more Canadians with a disability to triathlon; and develop more Canadian medal winners.

The program receives top marks for achieving its mission to date having gone on to celebrate multiple international podium performances by Daniel, who is now a six-time World Champion, and adding to his silver medal in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, Daniel was a bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Leanne Taylor recently brought home the bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Now both athletes have their sights set on the 2028 Games in LA. Kamylle Frenette also achieved multiple international podium performances before her retirement in 2025 including a bronze medal at the 2022 Para-Triathlon World Championship Finals in Abu Dhabi and Jessica Tuomela won a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 World Championships. These athletes have brought Canada international success within the three main categories of para triathlon – wheelchair, visually impaired and standing classes!

Para triathlon has six medal categories for both men and women. People with various physical impairments take part in the sport; including wheelchair users, amputees, and visually impaired athletes. They are classified according to their capabilities and often use adapted equipment to assist their movement such as handcycles, racing wheelchairs, tandem bicycles, and a wide variety of prosthetics. Visually impaired athletes race with guide.

Triathlon Canada is looking to build on its tradition of excellence in Para triathlon to develop more para-triathletes and coaches across the country at all levels of the sport – from those interested in participating in age-group community sport, all the way to those dreaming of chasing the podium at the Paralympic Games.

Pathway

Overview

As a Paralympic sport, para triathlon is most often a sprint distance triathlon made up of a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike and a five-kilometer run with time spent in transition between each discipline contributing to the athlete’s total time. However, there are racing opportunities and para athletes competing in triathlon events over every triathlon distance. The umbrella of “triathlon” also includes additional formats collectively referred to as “multisport”.  These include duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, cross triathlon, and long distance triathlon.  There are lots of opportunities and possibilities within this sport!

The starting point for all athletes should be indicating their interest in para triathlon via our online Athlete Interest Form. (Athlete Interest Form for Para Triathlon – Fill out form) Athletes can also connect with their provincial triathlon federation and para-sport organizations within their communities.  These organizations will provide a strong foundation for competition in any para sport.  See the “resources” section below for information on community programs.

The Age Group and Performance streams outlined below are two unique pathways with different participation and competition goals. However, athletes can move between the two streams at any time. Classification is optional at the national level and is only required once an athlete has met criteria to race internationally in World Triathlon competitions. International classification is done by World Triathlon or the International Blind Sports Federation at an international event. Triathlon Canada also offers National classification events so that athletes have an understanding of this process and a good estimation of their category, should they wish to work towards International level competition and classification.

Click here for the Para Triathlon pathway infographic

How to submit an Athlete Interest Form for Para Triathlon

The first point of entry for the Para Triathlon program, regardless of pathway, is completion of the Athlete Interest Form. This form is used to collect basic information to determine the best route forward for any athlete looking to join the sport and is the mechanism for expressing interest.

Click here to submit an Athlete Interest form for Para Triathlon

General inquiries can be submitted to:

Equipment

Required Equipment

There are many programs to help new para triathletes source equipment. You do NOT require a brand new handcycle or racing chair to get involved in para triathlon. Different equipment is needed for different categories. Here is a quick summary of specialty equipment needs:

PTWC – Para Triathlon Wheelchair

Swim – neoprene shorts are recommended to increase floatation and a leg brace may be used, wetsuit permitted according to race day water temperature rules
Bike – a handcycle is used for the cycling portion
Run – a racing wheelchair is used for the run portion

PTS – Para Triathlon Standing

Swim – wetsuits are permitted according to race day water temperature rules
Bike – approved physical and bike adaptations are permitted
Run – approved physical adaptations are permitted

PTVI – Para Triathlon Visually Impaired (races entire race with a guide)

Swim – an elastic swim tether is required to connect the athlete to their guide, wetsuits are permitted according to race day water temperature rules.
Bike – a tandem bike is required piloted by a guide
Run – a non-elastic run tether is required to connect the athlete to their guide

How to source equipment

There is a good support system in place for obtaining specialized para equipment. The best place to start is with the list of para sport organizations provided in the “resources” section below. There are also grants available to help with costs that can be accessed through the provincial sport system.

Para Community Age Group Competition & Classification

Overview

Classification is not required for athletes who wish to compete in paratriathlon in Canada within the community sport system in local and regional events. The most common community paratriathlon events run as “open” or “age-group” categories. This means that para triathletes may all race together in a single wave, or they may be included in age-group waves. All para athletes are welcome to participate.

Because paratriathlon is such a broad category it is often difficult for community events to meet the criteria for every para category. However, just because a paratriathlon category is not listed on an event website does not mean the race is not accessible. The best way to get involved is to reach out to your Provincial Sport Organization or local race organizers and let them know what support you need to participate. Often para triathletes are included in “age group” competition categories as well. The Canadian triathlon community works hard to offer numerous safe racecourses to meet the needs of para triathletes.

Para Designated Races & Development Camp Details

Para Designated Race Calendar/Information

Para National Development Camp Information

International Competition Classes & Classification

There are 6 medal events representing sport classes in para triathlon defined as follows:

PTWC – Wheelchair users (2 subclasses – PTWC1 & PTWC2)
PTS2 – Severe impairments*
PTS3 – Significant impairments*
PTS4 – Moderate impairments*
PTS5 – Mild impairments*
PTVI – Total or partial visual impairments (3 subclasses – PTVI1, PTVI2, & PTVI3)

*athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices for both the bike and run segments: https://triathlon.org/documents/paratriathlon-docs

Classification Process

The process for being classified varies depending on the nature of each athlete’s level of impairment.  A classification appointment may take between 30 minutes and 2.5 hours.  The process assesses how each athlete’s impairment impacts their ability to compete in triathlon.  An outcome is determined based on tested ability, rather than on disability. Both National classification and International classification panels are composed of at least 1 medical classifier and 1 technical classifier for standing and wheelchair categories. Visual Impairment classifications are completed by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) for all Paralympic sports.

Resources

All of the downloadable resource documents for para triathlon are available by using the link provided below. This includes intake forms, pathway information and a full list of international, national and provincial support organizations.

Click here for all para triathlon publications.

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