Students get rolling with tips from Olympic triathlete

River Valley Primary School students strapped on their helmets when they were visited by Olympian Ryan Bailie.

The Bunbury triathlete competed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where he won a bronze medal.

Joined by Bunbury Triathlon Club junior coordinator Paul Hanson, they took each year group out onto the oval to do some cycling workshops.

“We came down on behalf of Triathlon Western Australia to promote the SunSmart Kids Triathlon but also to get kids more bike aware,” Mr Bailie said.

“A big thing is getting kids out there riding their bikes.”

From a professional athlete point of view Mr Bailie said the enthusiasm of the students and their willingness to challenge themselves was great to see.

“To see them pushing themselves like they did, that is where the magic in sport happens, outside of the comfort zone,” he said.

River Valley PE teacher Susanne Williams said it was great to see the students getting involved in a sport she was involved with.

“When Triathlon Western Australia put out the call, me being a triathlete, I was keen to show the kids my sport and the sport I enjoy doing,” she said.

“As a small school we often miss out on things, but to have someone of Ryan’s calibre and Paul’s expertise come to our school and meet the kids is amazing.”

Ms Williams said giving the students the opportunity to try sports outside of the curriculum was important to expand their engagement in how they could be healthy and active.

“The kids have been smiling and saying how great it is to be able to use their bikes during school time,” she said.

Anyone who is interested in triathlon contact Paul Hanson. The Trystar program is looking for aged seven to 12 to participate and it introduces them to the sport.