After 30 years with the Victoria Police Department, Rob Dibden has turned his full attention to triathlon.
Yes, he competes on occasion, but his focus, at least for right now, is fostering a love of the sport in the youth of the community.
B次元官网网址淚 retired from policing in 2012,B次元官网网址� he says, B次元官网网址渁nd I was looking for something to do with myself that I really love, and triathlon was at the top of the list. They say if you find something you love to do, youB次元官网网址檒l never work a day in your life, and thatB次元官网网址檚 the point IB次元官网网址檓 at right now.B次元官网网址�
Human Powered Racing, the organization Dibden and Mike Neil formed in 2006, has overseen the Victoria Youth Triathlon for the past four years. TheyB次元官网网址檝e now turned their attention to spreading the love over here on the West Shore with the upcoming West Shore Youth Triathlon.
The inaugural event, in collaboration with West Shore Parks and Recreation, is scheduled for May 17 and is currently accepting registrations.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the first time our youth race has been out here and weB次元官网网址檙e really excited about it,B次元官网网址� Dibden says.
B次元官网网址淚nitially, we had a meeting with the Westshore Chamber of Commerce, just about events out here in general. They were very interested in bringing some more high-profile sporting events out to the western communities,B次元官网网址� he says, so they got to talking about possibly relocating some events. Through those conversations, however, they began to consider the possibility of starting a new one, instead.
Once the idea started germinating, Dibden approached West Shore Parks and Recreation. He had B次元官网网址渟coped out possible sites for the raceB次元官网网址� and determined the area around the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre would be the ideal location for the event.
B次元官网网址淭hey were awesome,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭he staff (at parks and recreation) were really supportive of trying to get it going. And now itB次元官网网址檚 full steam ahead.B次元官网网址�
There were 260 participants at the Victoria Youth Triathlon last year B次元官网网址� the maximum number they could accept B次元官网网址� so itB次元官网网址檚 clear there is a significant amount of interest, at least regionally.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 expect that for the first year out here, the event will not be that big,B次元官网网址� Dibden says, B次元官网网址渂ut hopefully we can generate enough interest that itB次元官网网址檚 successful. IB次元官网网址檇 like to get over 100. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a big enough number to show that thereB次元官网网址檚 a real interest within the community for having an event like this and that itB次元官网网址檒l continue to grow. I think the interest is there.B次元官网网址�
The key to gathering that interest is in getting the word out to the schools. ThatB次元官网网址檚 where Sooke School District Trustee Dianna Seaton comes in. SheB次元官网网址檚 leading the charge, Dibden says, in spreading the message.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 just fantastic,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a great thing for our kids out here.B次元官网网址�
Seaton says itB次元官网网址檚 a challenge getting the word out over spring break, with so many families either out of town or busy with other activities. As soon as school is back in session, however, the posters will go up and the promotion mission begins.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really something that I want to encourage,B次元官网网址� Seaton says. B次元官网网址淭o give our young people the opportunity to engage in something like this, that can lead them to long-term healthy lifestyles. ItB次元官网网址檚 something that we just canB次元官网网址檛 put a price on and itB次元官网网址檚 wonderful that itB次元官网网址檚 become available.B次元官网网址�
The beautiful thing about having the race at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Dibden says, is that the entire race can be contained within the grounds, which makes it both safe and very easy to manage. ItB次元官网网址檚 also easier for the parents to come out and watch, he says, because itB次元官网网址檚 a loop course. Participants will swim a certain number of laps of the pool, based on their age category, the bike course is created using the various driveways of the facility and the run will take place on the chip trail in the park.
B次元官网网址淚t safer for the kids,B次元官网网址� Dibden says, B次元官网网址渂ecause you keep everything contained in a small area that you can manage well. ItB次元官网网址檚 a little more onerous on the organization side of things, because you need lap counters to keep track of people and other extra volunteers, but itB次元官网网址檚 better, overall, I think.B次元官网网址�
Approximately 30 volunteers are needed to help with some of those ancillary duties, including marshals to assist with traffic control, people to supervise the nutrition and food tables, lap counting and other roles.
Registration is $50 per participant, which includes a medal for all who finish their circuit, a participant shirt for everyone, the awards, as well as the cost of operating the nutrition stations.
But itB次元官网网址檚 not about the medals and ribbons. ItB次元官网网址檚 about participating in something that could lead to a life-long love of physical activity, and having fun, Dibden says.
B次元官网网址淭riathlon is the type of sport where it develops an active attitude. From a lifestyle aspect, it really fosters the attitude that physical activity is an important part of life.B次元官网网址�
Especially for the kidsB次元官网网址� races, he adds, B次元官网网址渨e try not to emphasize performance, itB次元官网网址檚 more about participation. When you make a big hoopla about who did the best, the kid who came last feels pretty bad about themselves, so we make a point of not doing that. We make it about the fun of doing it.B次元官网网址�
You can register for the event or find out more by visiting or , or by contacting Dibden directly at rob@humanpoweredracing.ca.
