BERMUDA'S budding triathletes have just had the benefit of coaching from one of Canada's top trainers. Tracey Shelley, a "coach's coach" from Vancouver, was on the island last week and was impressed with what she saw from the 37 juniors.

She said: "The kids who came were very fit, very keen, very capable athletes."

Sent by the International Triathlon Union, Shelley said transitioning was a big part of her programme in order to cut down on seconds wasted moving from one element of the sport to another.

There was even a transition competition with prizes for the master transitioners.

"One of the most important parts of triathlons is knowing how to do really quick transitioning going from the swim to the bike and the bike to the run.

"You are always thinking one step ahead. Knowing where their bike is in the racks," she said.

The rules enforce the need for smooth change over time ? bikers are not allowed to pedal off until their helmet is strapped on.

Swimming skills included cornering around buoys and proved no problem for her students.

"Children in Bermuda are brilliant swimmers. I have never seen kids so competent in open water," said Shelley adding that speed work went down well with the children who naturally love to race.

Helping out at the running skills session was Bermuda's famous triathlete Flora Duffy who came eighth in the Commonwealth Games while Matthew Godfrey also lent a hand.

The sport might seem to be a gruelling slog to the layman but Shelley said: "Triathlon is so much fun."

The younger kids do short distances and care is taken not to overdo it.

Those in the seven to ten age group do 100 metre swims, five kilometre bike rides and one kilometre runs. Those in the 11 to 14 age groups do 200 metre swims, 10 kilometre bike rides and two kilometre runs.

She explained the ITU's ethos was that triathlon was a lifestyle rather than a sport.

"We don't just coach kids in sport, we coach them in becoming the best people they can be ? what can they do for their community and parents."

Kids are encouraged to be sporting and clap in other athletes who finish behind them. Many of the kids train with their friends and parents and she said triathlons had a unique allure.

"Not many kids do it, so they feel a bit special. Most kids know how to play soccer but triathlon is a little bit unique."

Shelley, 46, has been coaching for 15 years, got into triathlons as a way of recovering from a personal trauma.

"I needed an outlet, I had always been a good swimmer, a competent biker and runner and found the triathlon family which was overwhelmingly accepting of any age of athletes. You don't have to be very fast, just dedicated to your training. I coach everybody from kids to seniors ? the oldest is 64 back in Canada."

She is also teacher to child actors filming in the Vancouver area.

Recently she taught the boy who played the body of the baby character in the latest Wayans brother movie Little Man.

And she believes Bermuda's little men and women have a great chance of doing well in triathlons.

"I have never seen a country so committed to making sure everyone can race in a fun, competitive way. It's very exciting."

Next time hopes to see more varies social spectrum.

"I would hope that kids in the public schools get made aware of what triathlon is."

She also ran three evening sessions with Trihedz Junior Triathlon Club coach Neil de ste Croix teaching Bermuda coaches more about bringing the youngsters on.

And de ste Croix, who has been running an annual clinic/camp for the last eight years bringing in an overseas coach, said last week's camp went very well.

He said: "The feedback from Tracey was good ? she was impressed with the bike handling skills of the athletes which was nice to hear as we spend a lot of time during out club sessions working on the bike as this can be a dangerous part of the sport.

"We intend to continue to educate the coaches so that all the athletes benefit from the increased knowledge base."