Learn swimming, biking, and running safety, create a training plan, and complete a triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, or aquabike event to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. 1. Safety and First Aid

    Hazards and First Aid

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter during multisport activities and what you should do to anticipate, prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

    2. b.

      Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in multisport events, including abrasions, blisters, concussions, contusions, dehydration, hypothermia, overheating, sprains, and strains.

  2. 2. Train Like an Athlete

    Physical Readiness and Nutrition

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.
      Discuss the importance of having a physical examination each year. Discuss why overall health, immunizations, medications, allergies, and medical history are covered during an examination. Tell your counselor when you last underwent a physical examination.
    2. b.

      Explain the importance of maintaining good health habits, especially during training, and how the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and other harmful substances can negatively affect your health and your performance in athletic activities.

    3. c.

      Define a healthy diet and explain the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.

  3. 3. Choose Your Format

    Picking Your Event

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Discuss with your counselor your level of familiarity and experience with the multisport events (swimming, biking, and running) and the order and distance of each sports segment.

    2. b.

      Explain to your counselor which multisport event (swimming, biking, or running) you feel is your strongest and which you could improve upon the most.

    3. c.

      Identify the required equipment for each of the three common multisport events (swimming, biking, and running).

    4. d.

      Based on your interests, experience, and discussion with your counselor, select ONE of the following multisport formats to concentrate on for the remaining requirements: triathlon (swimming, biking, and running), duathlon (biking and running), aquathlon (swimming and running), or aquabike (swimming and biking).

  4. 4. Aquabike Path

    Complete ALL of the following for the multisport format option you selected in requirement 3(d):

    Choose 1

    1. Triathlon Roadmap

      Do all
      Option A—Triathlon.
      1. 1.

        Triathlon Swim Skills

        Do all
        Swimming
        1. a.

          Before doing requirements 5 through 8, earn the Swimming merit badge.

        2. b.

          Explain the components of the Scouting America Safe Swim Defense program and how you will ensure they are in place when you swim.

        3. c.

          Explain to your counselor the difference between a pool swim and an open water swim, including at what water temperature it is appropriate to wear a wet suit.

      2. 2.

        Triathlon Bike Skills

        Do all
        Biking
        1. a.

          Explain to your counselor how to ride predictably, be conspicuous, think ahead, and ride ready.

        2. b.

          Discuss what should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.

        3. c.

          Explain the importance of wearing a properly sized and fitted helmet while cycling and of wearing the right clothing for the weather.

      3. 3.

        Triathlon Run Skills

        Do all
        Running
        1. a.
          Demonstrate a proper run warmup and cool-down. Explain to your counselor the importance of maintaining healthy habits, including hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, and rest.
        2. b.

          Learn and state the basic rules of the road for runners.

        3. c.

          Demonstrate important running drills, including high knees, butt kicks, lunges, inchworms, and soldier kicks.

    2. Duathlon Roadmap

      Do all
      Option B—Duathlon.
      1. 1.

        Duathlon Bike Skills

        Do all
        Biking
        1. a.

          Explain to your counselor how to ride predictably, be conspicuous, think ahead, and ride ready.

        2. b.

          Discuss what should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.

        3. c.

          Explain the importance of wearing a properly sized and fitted helmet while cycling and of wearing the right clothing for the weather.

      2. 2.

        Duathlon Run Skills

        Do all
        Running
        1. a.
          Demonstrate a proper run warmup and cool-down. Explain to your counselor the importance of maintaining healthy habits, including hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, and rest.
        2. b.

          Learn and state the basic rules of the road for runners.

        3. c.

          Demonstrate important running drills, including high knees, butt kicks, lunges, inchworms, and soldier kicks.

    3. Aquathlon Roadmap

      Do all
      Option C—Aquathlon.
      1. 1.

        Aquathlon Swim Skills

        Do all
        Swimming
        1. a.

          Before doing requirements 5 through 8, earn the Swimming merit badge.

        2. b.

          Explain the components of the Scouting America Safe Swim Defense guidelines and how you will ensure they are in place when you swim.

        3. c.

          Explain to your counselor the difference between a pool swim and an open water swim, including at what water temperature it is appropriate to wear a wet suit.

      2. 2.

        Aquathlon Run Skills

        Do all
        Running
        1. a.
          Demonstrate a proper run warmup and cool-down. Explain to your counselor the importance of maintaining healthy habits, including hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, and rest.
        2. b.

          Learn and state the basic rules of the road for runners.

        3. c.

          Demonstrate important running drills, including high knees, butt kicks, lunges, inchworms, and soldier kicks.

    4. Aquabike Roadmap

      Do all
      Option D—Aquabike.
      1. 1.

        Aquabike Swim Skills

        Do all
        Swimming
        1. a.

          Before doing requirements 5 through 8, earn the Swimming merit badge.

        2. b.

          Explain the components of the Scouting America Safe Swim Defense guidelines and how you will ensure they are in place when you swim.

        3. c.

          Explain to your counselor the difference between a pool swim and an open water swim, including at what water temperature it is appropriate to wear a wet suit.

      2. 2.

        Aquabike Bike Skills

        Do all
        Biking
        1. a.

          Explain to your counselor how to ride predictably, be conspicuous, think ahead, and ride ready.

        2. b.

          Discuss what should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.

        3. c.

          Explain the importance of wearing a properly sized and fitted helmet while cycling and of wearing the right clothing for the weather.

  5. 5. Build Your Plan

    Build Your Four-Week Plan

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.
      With guidance from your counselor, establish a four-week training plan that combines your chosen multisport format to develop proper techniques, gain self-confidence, and increase endurance. Each session should last at least 25 minutes and include a proper warmup before the session and stretching afterward.
    2. b.

      Use a chart or other tracking method to monitor your training and development during this period.

    3. c.

      Set a personal goal for improvement based on one or more of the following criteria: time, technique, or distance.

    4. d.

      At the end of four weeks, discuss your progress with your counselor and tell how your development has affected you mentally and physically.

  6. 6. Transitions

    Set Up Your Transition Area

    Learn the methods of setting up your transition area, which is where your bike equipment and/or running gear will be. Discuss with your counselor how to smoothly and safely transition from one element to the next, such as mounting and dismounting your bike or adjusting your gear.

  7. 7. Race-Day Challenge

    Choose Your Race Simulation

    Choose 1
    After completing requirements 1-6, do ONE of the following (complete all of the activities on the same day and consecutively) for the multisport focus area you selected in requirement 3(d), including demonstrating a smooth and safe transition between each:

    1. Triathlon Simulation

      Triathlon (swim 100 m, bike 3 km, and run 1 km)

    2. Duathlon Simulation

      5 km, bike 3 km, and run 0.75 km)

    3. Aquathlon Simulation

      Aquathlon (swim 100 m and run 1 km)

    4. Aquabike Simulation

      Aquabike (swim 100 m and bike 3 km)

  8. 8. Staying Involved

    Pick Your Next Two Steps

    Choose 2
    Do TWO of the following and discuss with your counselor:

    1. Keep Participating

      Research and identify two ways you can continue participating in multisport after completing this merit badge.

    2. Study a Triathlete

      Research an Olympic, Paralympic, or professional triathlete (past or current). Share information on their background in the sport and what inspires you most about this individual.

    3. Lead a Training Group

      Demonstrate leadership by starting a training group and educating your peers on the importance of physical activity, nutrition, and the disciplines of multisport.

    4. Enter a Sanctioned Event

      Sign up for and participate in a sanctioned multisport event in your area.

    5. Volunteer at an Event

      Volunteer at a local multisport event, running race, biking event, swim meet, or adaptive sporting event.