The membership fee for the 2011-2012 academic year is going to be £35. So for just under £12 a term, (that's about £1.50 a week), you get: free to attend training sessions including a free coached swimming session, free transport to all BUCS and Varsity matches, use of the club's turbo trainers, use of the club's wetsuits and invitations to all the club's races and social events. You'll also get free access to the club library.
A bargain already, however a significant portion of this can be claimed back as race subsidy. For some of the club's races over the season, OUTriC will contribute towards your race fee.
All OUTriC members are also encouraged to take out joint membership with the cycling club. Then, for an extra £28 (£10 less than joining each club separately) you get all of the above, a free OUCC cycling jersey and all the benefits on being a member of the cycling club. An unbelievable price! For more information see the OUCC website.
To join the club you need to send a completed 2011-2012 membership form together with a cheque for the correct amount to:Treasurer, Katie Truslove, Worcester College
How much do you have to train?
The club's main purpose is to organise training sessions for our members. We currently organise six training sessions a week, all of which are at relatively civilized times. Members are free to attend as many or as few training sessions as they wish and training sessions are designed to encompass athletes of any ability. Our training schedule can be found in the training section of the site. We encourage people to arrange training outsise of the normal club sessions on the mailing list.
How much do you race?
There are four main races on the club's calendar: The BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) duathlon and Sprint triathlon champioships; and duathlon and triathlon Varsity matchs. The club sessions are geared towards these races.
The club is a discretionary full blue sport and the two triathlon races determine who is awarded a half-blue or a full blue. Both these races are over the sprint distance and are relatively early in the season. We always have a good number of athletes at these races; they're good fun and inevitably result in some kind of social either on the way home, or afterwards.
As well as these races the club identifies a number of races over the summer where the club will provide transport for all competitors. In 2011, the club sent teams to the Bristol Harbourside triathlon, BUCS Olympic distance triathlon and Swanage triathlon.
What about socials?
The club always has at least one major cannot-be-missed-social event every term. The annual highlight is the Varsity dinner with Cambridge where both teams take over a restaurant somewhere. As well as this, spontaneous social events happen regularly, usually involving a pub, college bar, or club somewhere.
The first social of the year is always the freshers social which allows new members and potential members to meet some of the more established club members. Details of this will be sent round on the club mailing list.
I'd like to get involved with triathlon at some point, but I'm not in great shape at the moment. Can I still train with you guys?
Absolutely, the club embraces athletes of all abilities. Come train with us, it will be the most effective way to get better.
I'd like to take up triathlon, but can hardly swim at the moment, should I take lessons before I join.
No. The club is proud to run the only coached swimming sessions in Oxford open to athletes of any ability. Many of our members are not strong swimmers when they first join, and the club coaches are prepared to help develop weak swimmers.
I haven't got a bike at the moment. Can I still get involved?
Absolutely, there is no compulsion to come to any particular training sessions so new members are welcome to only swim and run. A bike will be necessary for racing and will need to be bought at some point, but feel free to fall in love with the club before that. Some people in the past have even rocked up to races sporting "aero baskets" on the front of their bikes!
What do I have to do to be in the OUTriC team?
For the club's BUCS and Varsity matches, everyone enters and the first three people across the line on the day comprise the team. Teams are not preselected before the race. Generally, triathlons tend to be races for individuals with no team element as such.
Will I have to join the pool to attend the swimming sessions?
Yes. New members are allowed to try the first swimming session of the year without being members of the pool. But after that they must be a pool member to use the pool during our training sessions.
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