Sláinte EnduranceSláinte EnduranceAll triathlon disciplines — coached with care, and met exactly where your child is today. A fun-first pathway with a credible route as far as they ever want to go.
The Sláinte Youth Academy works from a single belief: a child who loves what they're doing will always outwork one who doesn't. Sessions are built around movement the athletes actually enjoy, standards they grow into rather than are rushed through, and recognition that goes well beyond finishing times.
Progress is measured against each athlete themselves, not against whoever won last Saturday. Young people develop at different rates. The coaching team's job is to read where your child is, challenge them in the right direction, and build foundations that don't break under pressure.
Movement they enjoy, built on skills that last. Early specialisation is never the goal.
Every child progresses when ready, measured against themselves, not anyone else.
Skill, consistency and effort are seen and celebrated, not just the fastest time.
Placement is categorised by ability, not age group. Each programme has ability levels per discipline, with benchmarks that build a clear path toward national-level standards — and a limited Performance-PLUS route for those reaching for it.
A lighter way in. One swim, one bike, one run each week to build water competency, movement and a love of the sport — no pressure. Offered when space allows.
The full foundation. Aerobic endurance, race skills and the first complete swim-bike-run brick sessions, where young athletes find their rhythm.
Race-specific fitness, pacing and tactics across sprint-distance triathlon. Longer sessions for developing juniors ready to train with intent and chase more.
A limited national-level route, by assessment only, for the few ready to represent. A calm, credible ceiling — reached only when they're ready.
“Times are targets to grow into — never pass/fail cut-offs that pressure young athletes. Technique and safety always take priority over the clock.”
Season 2026/2027 · Abu Dhabi
Placement is by ability, not age, and each discipline (Swim / Bike / Run) is assessed and graded independently — an athlete can sit at Development 2 in swim, Development 3 in bike, and Performance 1 in run. Grades move when the athlete is ready, not on a fixed schedule. All times are guide targets, not pass/fail cut-offs; a grade is only awarded when the skill is demonstrated safely and repeatably. Technique and safe execution always take priority over the clock. Athletes are re-assessed at least once per term.
| Discipline | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swim | 100 m freestyle continuous | 200 m continuous; tumble turns | 400 m continuous; 100 m under ~1:45 |
| Bike | 10 km continuous | 20 km; efficient gearing on hills | 20 km at target effort; race cornering |
| Run | 2 km continuous | 3 km; 1 km under ~4:15 | 5 km; 1 km under ~4:00 |
Athletes who do not yet meet the water-competency entry standard are welcome in the Academy's learn-to-swim feeder group until they do.
| Discipline | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swim | 100 m freestyle continuous | 200 m continuous; tumble turns | 400 m continuous; 100 m under ~1:45 |
| Bike | 10 km continuous | 20 km; efficient gearing on hills | 20 km at effort; steady cadence; race cornering |
| Run | 2 km continuous | 3 km; 1 km under ~4:15 | 5 km; 1 km under ~4:00 |
Times are guide targets, not pass/fail cut-offs. A grade is only awarded when the skill is demonstrated safely and repeatably.
| Discipline | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swim | 400 m continuous | 750 m continuous (sprint distance) | 750 m under ~12:00; 100 m under ~1:15 |
| Bike | 20 km continuous | 40 km incl. climbing | 40 km time-trial; manages cadence/power |
| Run | 5 km continuous | 5 km under ~24:00 | 5 km under ~20:00; completes 10 km |
Any sign of excessive fatigue, anxiety or pressure is addressed before any progression is considered. Athletes re-assessed each term.
Performance-PLUS uses a single national-standard benchmark per discipline rather than three graded levels. Entry is by individual assessment; places are limited each term.
| Discipline | National-Level Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Swim | 1,500 m continuous; 100 m under ~1:05; holds race pace across repeated sets |
| Bike | 40 km TT at competitive time; applies race tactics and cadence management |
| Run | 5 km under ~18:00; controlled race pacing off the bike |
Assessment required before entry · Limited places each term.
These must be met before a young athlete joins Academy sessions. Water competency is a non-negotiable safety standard.
| Requirement | Standard to be met before joining |
|---|---|
| Water competency (mandatory) | Swim 25 m unaided and continuously, float/recover to a standing or wall position, and submerge to retrieve an object from the pool floor. No exceptions. |
| Cycling competency | Ride a bike confidently and unaided (no stabilisers), able to start, stop and brake under control. |
| Running competency | Able to jog continuously for at least 3 minutes without distress. |
| Minimum age | 8 years old (by 1 January of the current year). |
| Equipment | Own a road bike in full working order and a correctly fitted, undamaged cycling helmet (helmet mandatory at every session). |
| Health & consent | Signed parental/guardian consent and a completed medical/health questionnaire. Any condition affecting exercise disclosed to the head coach. |
Athletes who do not yet meet the water-competency standard are warmly welcome in the Academy’s learn-to-swim feeder group until they do.
Coached swim, bike and run each week, scaled to your child’s level.
Age-appropriate S&C that keeps growing bodies resilient.
Guidance for fuelling well, and a coach beside them on race day.
They arrive part of the team from their very first session.
Where they are, what they’ve improved, and what’s next. So you’re never in the dark.
Sessions run six days a week, with Sunday reserved as rest and recovery. Pool sessions run two Performance groups. Each venue is chosen for its suitability to the discipline.
| Day | Discipline | Development | Performance | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Cycle | 16:30 – 17:45 | 17:45 – 19:45 | Al Hudayriat Island |
| Tuesday | Run | 16:30 – 17:45 | 17:45 – 19:15 | Khalidiya Park |
| Wednesday | Swim | 16:30 – 18:00 | Group 116:30 – 18:00 Group 218:00 – 19:30 | Zayed Cricket Stadium |
| Thursday | Run | 16:30 – 17:45 | 17:45 – 19:15 | Al Seef Village Mall |
| Friday | Swim | 14:30 – 16:00 | Group 114:30 – 16:00 Group 216:00 – 17:30 | Zayed Cricket Stadium |
| Saturday | Cycle | 10:00 – 11:00(Winter) 08:00 – 09:00(Summer) | 08:00 – 10:00(Winter) 06:00 – 08:00(Summer) | Zayed Cricket Stadium |
| Sunday | Rest & recovery | |||
| Term | Period | Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 31 August – 13 December | 15 weeks |
| Term 2 | 4 January – 4 April | 13 weeks |
| Term 3 | 12 April – 2 July | 12 weeks |
It starts with a tryout, where we assess each discipline, recommend a starting level, and shape a programme based on individual ability.