Operation Totalled: Totalsports Challenge transition equipment tips

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Monday, 07 March 2011 10:51

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Operation Totalled

The Totalsports Challenge consists of seven legs which means a looong day of multisport if you're racing as an individual. Apart from the obvious equipment (road and mountain bike, running shoes, surfski and kayak), there are many other bits of kit that you'll need to make the day go smoother. Write out a list with your second and go through every detail.

Your second can make all transitions with one vehicle and them as the driver. A backup assistant will make carrying your ski or kayak to and from the vehicle easier, but they can manage on their own, especially if they are good at roping in other spectators to assist.
Life is easier if you pack everything required the day before, using six bags, clearly labelled with a paper swing tag. Use string and sealing tape to loop and secure the tags to the carry straps. 

Bags 1 & 2 Surfski and swim

• Tri-suit or cycling shorts under wetsuit
• Wetsuit (wear up to your waist for ski paddle; roll up and fit properly after the paddle when you leave on your swim)
• Paddle
• Leash (if conditions are windy)
• PFD (life jacket)
• Hydration pack
• Cellphone in water-tight bag (compulsory)
• Cap
• Surfski plug (ask your second to remove after the sea paddle and keep for dam paddle if you're using the same boat)
• Plastic packet for feet and arms when fitting wetsuit after the paddle (kept by second)
• Swim cap (with second)
• Goggles (kept by your second who hands to you after your paddle and then hauls your ski back to the support vehicle)

Bag 3 Road bike

• Two bottles (one half full with juice and one half full with water)
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Eyewear
• Cycling shoes
• Towel (to sit on when changing from swim to bike)Bucket/footpan for feet after swim
• You need to set up transitions 1-3

Bag 4 Road run

• Compression socks if you use them
• Cap with neck flap (you will be running directly into the sun but it will be high and this will protect the back of your neck and ears from the heat)
• EyewearUV arms
• Sunblock to re-apply
• Run backpack with approx one litre juice (there are two water points but it's better having your own juice and have it regularly)
• Salty snacks for the road

Bag 5 Dam paddle

• PFD
• Paddle
• Splash cover if using kayak
• Juice refill
• Sunblock
• Cooler box
• Salty food before you start paddling (peanuts and raisins, shelled eggs, sandwiches)

Bag 6 MTB

• Towel to dry feet and change into your shoes on
• Hydration pack with one litre juice
• Small toolkit
• Spare tube
• Pump
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Shoes and fresh pair of socks if required
• Food
• Clean eyewear

Bag 7 Beach run

• Cap
• Sunblock to re-apply if needed
• Shoes not recommended because it's nearly all on thick sand and occasionally in the shorebreak