The Safest Series Around

We’ve been pulling back the curtain on Somersault lately by sharing more of the behind-the-scenes, the “why” behind what we do, and how everything comes together on race day.

This time, we’re diving into something that matters just as much as the finish line vibes: safety.

From the very beginning, safety shapes every decision we make including course design, layouts, and scheduling.

In this newsletter, we’re highlighting two of the key pillars that help keep our events safe (and fun). Read on to meet some of the people who make it all happen.

Our Water Safety Team - Olympic Quality!

We truly believe that we have the best water safety team around.

Every triathlon takes a full crew: boat operators, lifeguards, paddlers, and a land team, all working together to keep athletes safe. On average, it takes 15 people to cover the water, and more often than not, it’s the same 15 familiar faces at every race.

For the past five years, this core group has been showing up early, race after race, making sure everyone can get out there, have fun, and race safely.

And we're not the only ones who think that they’re kind of a big deal.

Two of our lifeguards were selected to be lifeguards at the 2024 Paris Olympics. A third Olympic lifeguard fills in on our water safety team, too!

To give you a sense of their commitment they went straight from the Meech Lake Triathlon to the airport, timing their flights so they had just enough time to make it after the final swimmer exited the water.

Then there’s Amanda, who's our always-reliable course sweep. She’s the one paddling behind the final swimmers, making sure every single athlete gets off the course safely. She’s also the last set of eyes before we reopen the water or start tearing things down.

And somehow, in between all that, her regular job, and personal life, she just opened a bookstore called Evermore Books, Ottawa’s only romance-only bookstore. If (when!) you pop in to check it out, make sure to ask for Amanda. As a new business owner, she's almost always there.

It’s pretty special to have people like this on our team. Because the truth is, without them, our races simply wouldn’t happen.

Their work is mostly behind the scenes and most athletes hope they don’t have to spend extra time with the rescue team, so they don't often get the recognition that they deserve.

So next time you’re at a race, take a second to say hi 👋

SMPG - Tough Exterior, Warm Hearts

For over 20 years, we’ve had the same incredible motorcycle patrollers looking after our courses, known as the Somersault Motorcycle Patrol Group (or SMPG for short).

They might look tough (don’t tell them we said otherwise…), but they’re some of the nicest people you’ll meet on race day.

They’ve helped athletes through it all: flat tires, broken bikes, crashes, and everything in between. But they also bring a ton of energy to the course, using their lights to escort riders, waving to spectators, and waiting at the finish line to congratulate athletes on a job well done.

Behind the scenes, they do even more.

They sweep the course before and after every race. They help reunite athletes with lost items. They work closely with the public, the police… and yes, even the occasional piece of roadkill.

Some members of the SMPG have been part of over 100 Somersault races. They know the courses, the community, and many of you by name.

So if you see them before, during, or after your race, don’t be shy, stop and say hi. They’re always up for a chat, and they love hearing how your day went.

What's Next on the Calendar?

In just a few short weeks, the flowers will be blooming and the Tulip Festival will be in full swing.

Our most beautiful run course of the year is definitely the Flower Fun Run on Mother’s Day.

Whether you run, walk, or stroll, this is your chance to take on a 5K right through the heart of the festival. The course is lined with hundreds of thousands of tulips and tens of thousands of spectators. You’ll feel like a total rockstar and end up with some pretty incredible race photos.

Then, just one week later, we kick off triathlon season with the Early Bird Triathlon.

With a pool swim, it’s a favourite for so many, especially after a long winter. There’s nothing quite like being back together with 1,200+ local triathletes and feeling that community energy again.

Two very different events, but equally fun, and we hope to see you at one (or both!) start lines.

In Case You Missed It:

Here are some links from recent updates.

• Amanda, from our Water Safety Team opened Evermore Books - Ottawa's first bookstore dedicated to romance novels! 

• Have your say: checkout our Facebook and Instagram pages to join the conversations. This week we asked people about their favourite pieces of equipment, and their pre-race rituals. 

• Results are now at Results.Somersault.ca. After an overhaul of our timing system, all the results are now in one place. You can find your results, and then click on your name to see your tagged photos. 

Let's Keep in Touch:

Stay connected with us! Follow us on social media to keep up with all the latest news, race updates, and fun content.

Join us on Facebook and Instagram for insider updates, exciting announcements, and a behind-the-scenes look at our events. Or, visit our website to see what else we have in store for you!

That’s all for now!