Captain Kids Triathlon
When is Captain Kids Triathlon?
Captain Kids Triathlon takes place on Sunday, September 13, 2026 in Galveston, TX.
What distances does Captain Kids Triathlon offer?
Captain Kids Triathlon offers 7 events: Mini Mates Kids Tri (Ages 6-10), Mates Kids Tri (Ages 11-14), Long Course Mates (Age 15-16), Captain's Wave - Mini Mates (Ages 6-10), Captain's Wave - Mates (Ages 11-14), 1st Mini Mates - Adaptive Wave, 1st Mates - Adaptive Wave.
| Event | Distance | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Mates Kids Tri (Ages 6-10) | — | $85.00 | Register |
| Mates Kids Tri (Ages 11-14) | — | $85.00 | Register |
| Long Course Mates (Age 15-16) | — | $85.00 | Register |
| Captain's Wave - Mini Mates (Ages 6-10) | — | $85.00 | Register |
| Captain's Wave - Mates (Ages 11-14) | — | $85.00 | Register |
| 1st Mini Mates - Adaptive Wave 30 spots left | — | $85.00 | Register |
| 1st Mates - Adaptive Wave 30 spots left | — | $85.00 | Register |
How much does Captain Kids Triathlon cost?
Registration for Captain Kids Triathlon starts at $105.00. Prices vary by event distance.
Where is Captain Kids Triathlon held?
Captain Kids Triathlon is held in Galveston, TX at Moody Gardens.
About Captain Kids Triathlon
Get ready for a great race!
Your Mates and Mini Mates will swim in a lazy river, bike through the Moody Gardens resort, and run through the tropical gardens—all leading up to a waterpark celebration for the family! Every athlete gets a waterpark admission + free entries for three family members or friends! Come for race day or make it a fun family getaway. Parents, siblings, friends & teammates can join the fun—volunteer as a Deckhand and experience the race up close!
Captain Kids Waves for 2026:
✔️ Age Group Waves: Mini Mates, Mates & Long Course Mates (based on USAT age)
✔️Captain's Waves: For experienced youth triathletes ready to race
✔️ First Mates Waves: Adaptive divisions with guides & race modifications available
Race Distances:
✔️ Mini Mates (6-10): 100m swim, 2 mile bike, ½ mile run
✔️ Mates (11-14): 200m swim, 4 mile bike, 1 mile run
✔️ Long Course Mates (15-16): 200m swim, 6 mile bike, 1.7 mile run
✔️ Captain's Wave Mini Mates (6-10): 200m swim, 4 mile bike, 1 mile run
✔️ Captain's Wave Mates (11-14): 200m swim, 6 mile bike, 1.7 mile run
The Captain's Wave:
The Captain's Wave is for those athletes that have their sea legs and are experienced triathletes wanting to race, and is designed to add additional safety and fairness within the races. If your athlete is on a racing team, has a coach, routinely places in other youth races, and wants to test their skills against the other experienced athletes, then the athlete may qualify to compete in the Captain's Wave. Your athlete should be familiar with all aspects of triathlon, including the rules and regulations for youth triathlons (drafting, spacing, passing, etc), and should have competed in a number of triathlons prior to this event. If you’re not sure which division is right for your athlete, send the Captain an email and we’ll help you figure it out.
The Captain's Waves have separate awards from the age group division and only compete against each other. The athletes are numbered from oldest to youngest, and awards are based on the number of participants.
🏴☠️ Ready to race? Join the crew and sign up today!
Packet Pick-up
The Captain Kid's Tri packet pick-up will be held in three locations around the Galveston/Houston area. Deckhands will be available to help you get set for race day - and it's a great time to ask all those questions too! And here's a big THANK YOU to one of our amazing presenting sponsors, Ally Medical ER, for hosting two of our pick-up locations!
YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR ATHLETE'S PACKET AT ONE OF THE DESIGNATED TIMES AND LOCATIONS LISTED BELOW. THERE IS NO RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP!
Packet Pick-up Schedule for 2024
- Tuesday, September 3rd at Ally Medical ER - Spring (2490 FM 2920, Set 100, Spring, TX 77388)
- 12:00 pm: Pick-up #1 begins
- 5:30 pm: Pick-up #1 ends
- Wednesday, September 4th at Ally Medical - Clear Lake (3351 Clear Lake City Blvd, Set 100, Houston, TX 77059)
- 12:00 pm: Pick-up #2 begins
- 5:30 pm: Pick-up #2 ends
- Saturday, September 7th at the Moody Gardens Hotel, Garden Cay Room near the Hotel Check-in and Laguna Lobby
- 12:00 pm: Pick-up #3 begins
- 5:00 pm: Pick-up #3 ends
QR Code
Please bring your race confirmation email with your custom QR code to the packet pick-up. Our Deckhands can scan your athlete in and save some time! A phone screen or a printed code work equally as well.
Race Info for 2024
Join the Captain on Sunday, September 8th, 2024! Click here to be notified when registration opens.
Place
Moody Gardens
Galveston Island, Texas
Description
Captain Kids is a pirate themed destination race in the Moody Gardens resort and water park. Athletes ages 6-14 swim in the lazy river, ride a bike through the resort, and finish with a run through the tropical gardens on property. The podium celebration is on a white sand beach overlooking the water, and the event finishes with a private party in the waterpark for the entire family. It’s a fun race in a beautiful resort - come for race day or stay at the hotel and make it a family getaway! Special group pricing is available for the Captain Kids room block.
There are two divisions based on USAT age, as well as a Captain’s Wave and a physically challenged wave for each age group. The Captain Kid’s team has, and always will do everything we can to make sure your athlete can experience success at the finish, regardless of experience or ability level. Parents and older siblings can get in on the act too - our Deckhand volunteers get to experience the race right along with their athletes.
Mates (USAT ages 11-14)
200 meter swim
4 mile bike
1 mile run
Mini Mates (USAT ages 6-10):
100 meter swim
2 mile bike
1/2 mile run
We will have a Captain's Wave for each race distance (Mates and Mini Mates). The Captain's Wave will begin at the beginning of their respective race.
The Mates Captain's Wave (200M swim, 4 mile Bike and 1 mile run) will include athletes from 11 - 14 years old and will have separate awards than the age group division. The athletes will be numbered from oldest to youngest. Awards will be based on the number of participants.
The Mini Mates Captain's Wave (100M swim, 2 mile Bike and .5 mile run) will include athletes from 6 – 10 years old and will have separate awards than the age group division. The athletes will be numbered from oldest to youngest. Awards will be based on the number of participants.
Who Qualifies for the Captain's Wave?
This Captains Wave was created for those athletes that have their sea legs and are experienced triathletes wanting to race. These divisions were also designed to add additional safety and fairness within the races. If your athlete is on a racing team, has a coach, routinely places in other youth races, and wants to test their skills against the other experienced athletes, then the athlete may qualify to compete in the Captains Wave. They should be familiar with all aspects of triathlon, including the rules and regulations for youth triathlons (drafting, spacing, passing, etc), and should have competed in a number of triathlons prior to this event. If you’re not sure which division is right for your athlete, send the Captain an email and we’ll help you figure it out.
Note: A race timeline will be posted on the race site. Upon completion of their race, athletes in the Captain Wave will not be permitted to re-enter transition until the last finisher of the Mates Race is finished.
Race Instructions
Read the Race Instructions carefully or walk the plank!
Athletes are assigned to one of three Crews, and there is a set of race instructions written specifically for each one. Please make sure you read the ones that correspond to the crew your athlete will sail with.
Here are the Crew Assignments:
- Crew One - Captain's Wave Mates and 15 yr old Long Course Mates
- Crew Two - Captain's Wave Mini Mates and Mates Regular Wave
- Crew Three - Mini Mates Regular Wave
Here are the race instructions specific to each crew:
Stay at Moody Gardens
Give your Mate and Mini Mate some extra rest on race morning. Reserve your room at the Moody Gardens Hotel - it's just steps away from the race!