Frequently Asked Questions
This section contains answers to questions that are frequently asked by both first time participants and those that have been in the sport for a while. Please make sure you read through all the FAQs prior to sending questions to the support email. As we receive questions from participants that we feel may be pertinent to other participants, we'll update the page.
REGISTRATION
- What's included in my child's registration?
- See REGISTRATION INFO page for details.
- What is my child's USAT age?
- USA Triathlon calculates age groups based on your child's age as of 12/31 the year of the event.
- Why do I have to have a USAT membership?
- All participants are required to have a USAT membership. Youth annual memberships are $10 and can be used for any USAT-sanctioned event for an entire year, 12 months from when you purchased your membership.
- What is registration insurance?
- Registration insurance is offered through a third party provider, Allianz, and must be purchased at the time of registration. The insurance covers your registration fees if you are unable to attend the event for a variety of reasons. To make a claim you must follow the directions sent to you be Allianz.
- What is covered by registration insurance?
- Please visit the Allianz coverage page for details.
- I need to claim my registration insurance. How do I do that?
- Please follow the instructions sent by Allianz in your insurance confirmation email (separate from your event registration confirmation email). We cannot process any claims or answer any specific questions about registration insurance. It is all handled through Allianz.
- I registered my child for the live/virtual event but want to transfer to the virtual/live event. How do I do that?
- Event transfers will be allowed up to the cut-off date listed on the EVENT POLICIES page. To process the transfer you will need to go to you RunSignup profile, click Manage Registration under the event, and process the event transfer from there. Check out the RunSignup tutorial for Transferring to Another Event for additional details.
PACKET PICKUP (PPU)
- When is packet pickup (PPU)?
- See the PACKET PICKUP page for details. Packets cannot be picked up before or after the times listed on this page unless you've purchased race morning packet pickup. If you arrive early to packet pickup we WILL NOT be able to provide your child's packet until the designated start time.
- Can I pick up my child's packet on race morning?
- Race packet shipping and limited spots for race morning packet pickup is available for purchase. Only those that have purchased race morning packet pickup will be allowed to pick up on race morning, all others must be picked up at one of the scheduled packet pickups.
- I can't make PPU, what do I do?
- You’ll need to purchase race morning packet pickup or race packet shipping.
- Can a friend or family member pick up my child's packet?
- No. Per USA Triathlon rules, only legal guardians of a minor 17 years or younger may pick up a packet for a registered participant. You must show legal photo ID. See PACKET PICKUP page for additional details.
- Do I need to bring my child's USAT card to PPU?
- No, our registration system automatically handles USAT membership verification.
- What comes in my child's packet?
- See PACKET PICKUP page for details.
- What if I get home and am missing something?
- Please contact us using the CONTACT THIS RACE button at the bottom of this page.
- Where do I put all these stickers and tattoos?
- Please see our RACE NUMBER PLACEMENT diagram for details.
- How do I put the timing chip on the strap?
- Please see our TIMING CHIP diagram for details.
- Can I change my child's shirt size at PPU?
- No. We order all the items in advance and base our orders off your selection during registration, changes made at packet pickup may result in someone else not receiving what they ordered. If you wish to exchange an item, you may try to do so after the event at the volunteer check-in tent if we have leftover items.
- Where can I find Race Morning PPU info?
- Race morning packet pickup info can be found on the PACKET PICKUP page.
- If I purchased race morning PPU can I still get my child's packet during normal PPU times?
- Yes. You can pick up your packet anytime. Please make sure you let the crew know that you had purchased race morning packet pickup because they may have already pulled those aside. If you decided to pick up your child’s packet early, there are no refunds for the race morning packet pickup fee.
RACE DAY
- What is the race schedule?
- See the SCHEDULE OF EVENTS page for details.
- Where do I park?
- We have secured the Typhoon Texas Waterpark parking lot for all event parking.
- Where should I go when I arrive?
- Once you park at Typhoon Texas Waterpark take your equipment directly to the transition area in the Typhoon Texas parking lot, see RACE SITE MAP for details.
- Can I go into transition to help my child?
- One parent wearing the provided wristband with the athlete's race number will be allowed to enter transition with their child to help setup the transition area. Once transition closes before the start of the race, no parents will be allowed into the transition area until after the race. NO PARENTS ARE ALLOWED IN TRANSITION DURING THE RACE.
- How do I setup my transition area?
- Here is a short YouTube video overviewing the transition area and how to set it up. This video depicts a triathlon transition with bike but the information is still pertinent for splash & dash events. There are many other videos available so please search and watch a few of them if you are unfamiliar with triathlon and transitions. Please note that we did not produce the linked video.
- How deep is the lazy river?
- The lazy river at Typhoon Texas is between 30"-40" deep and approximately 12' wide.
- How safe is the course?
- We take your child's safety very seriously and our goal is for everyone to have a great time while maintaining a healthy and safe environment. We are known for going above and beyond what is required by certification and sanctioning organizations at our events. To ensure a safe course for everyone please make sure you always pay attention to where you are walking and always listen to instructions provided by course officials, race staff, volunteers, and event security. EVEN IF THE RATIONALE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS IS NOT IMMEDIATELY APPARENT TO YOU, OUR CREW MAINTAINS A TOP-LEVEL VIEW OF THE EVENT AS A WHOLE SO WE CAN MAINTAIN COURSE SAFETY.
- Our safety and course crew includes the following:
- 5 certified medical professionals with a minimum of EMT certification
- 5-10 certified lifeguards provided by Typhoon Texas Waterpark
- 12 dedicated race crew and coordinators overseeing various aspects of the race site
- Over 50 volunteers stationed at strategic points on the course and throughout the race site
- When can I get my child's equipment after the race?
- Transition will be opening as soon as the last swimmer has exited transition and started their run. The child or the parent/guardian with the numbered wristband will need to be present so we can verify race and bike numbers.
- Will you watch my child's equipment while we're in the park after the race?
- Once the race ends you MUST pick up your child's equipment prior to enjoying the waterpark. See the SCHEDULE OF EVENTS page for details.
EQUIPMENT & GEAR
- What swim gear will my child need?
- Your child will need goggles and the provided swim cap.
- What run gear will my child need?
- You child will need running shoes (required) and we'd recommend a race belt to hold their run number.
- Can my child wear floaties or other floatation device during the swim?
- No. Per USAT rules, no floatation devices, gloves, or shoes are allowed during the swim.
- Can my child wear gloves or shoes during the swim?
- No. Per USAT rules, no floatation devices, gloves, or shoes are allowed during the swim.
- Do I need to buy special cloths for the race?
- No. Many athletes will wear normal play items while participating. Please keep in mind that there is no place to completely change clothes so they should be able to wear the items throughout the duration of the event.
- Can my child run barefoot?
- No, shoes must be worn on the bike and the run for your child's safety and per USAT rules.
POST RACE WATERPARK TICKETS
- How long will the park rides be open after the event?
- The waterpark will open for general admission once the event concludes and the race equipment is removed from inside the waterpark and will remain open based on the waterpark's published schedule, https://www.typhoontexas.com/houston.
- Do I need to purchase tickets for the general admission opening?
- One ticket is included in the registration fee for the participant to use after the race. Additional tickets may be purchased either as an add-on during race registration or at the ticket office on the day of the event. If you have purchased season tickets to the waterpark, you can use those for the Sunday general admission opening.
- What if I just want to hang out in the park after the race with my child? Do I need to still purchase additional tickets?
- Yes, you will either need to purchase additional tickets or utilize your already purchased season tickets.
- I've already bought my season tickets, can I just used those instead of buying more tickets?
- Yes, you can use your already purchased season tickets.
VIRTUAL RACE
- Where can I find details about the virtual race(s) and challenge?
- Virtual event details can be found on the VIRTUAL EVENT INFO page.
- How do I submit my child's results?
- The simplest way to submit your results is to visit the RESULTS page, click the Submit Virtual Results button, and complete the form listed. There are a few different ways to submit your results, check out the RunSignup tutorial for Submitting and Managing Virtual Results.
