WHEN Lachlan Patterson got the chance to compete in a special race at last year's Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival, it was a moment which sparked an idea in the minds of his parents Luke and Danielle.
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Now, some 18 months later, the Bathurst Wallabies Triathlon Club are about to stage their first tri-ability event. All local students with a disability have been invited to take part.
It will further add to the supportive, celebratory atmosphere of the Wallabies' annual Christmas triathlon program.
"My son Lachlan fits into this category. We were in Mooloolaba for the triathlon festival up there last year and they hold a special triathlon. It had been in the back of our minds for a while. We decided there was no reason we couldn't do the same thing at this club," Luke Patterson explained.
"So I took it to the committee and they were all absolutely behind it and we're all looking forward to putting it together. The support not just from the committee, but the wider club has been overwhelming.
"He [Lachlan] loves it, the kids deserve the opportunity to be involved. The kids, this will put a smile on their faces, I really hope they love being able to be involved."
There will be a special wave for those with higher needs as they tackle a 25 metre swim, a two kilometre ride on Stanley Street then 500 metre run along the river path. Specialised bikes, bike trailers, running strollers or wheelchairs are all welcomed.
The students can also slot into a joeys race if they require less assistance as the emphasis is on participation rather than results. As Patterson mentioned, the club has a host of helpers to see everyone experience the feeling of crossing the finish line.
"We've made ourselves a community club, so we decided we needed to make ourselves accessible to the whole community, which is why we put the invite out," he said.
"We will provide whatever volunteers are necessary to help, they can have much support in the pool as they need so parents and careers can hop in - whatever is required for them to complete the course.
"It really is about participation and making sure they know they can absolutely achieve the race."
That sense of achievement is something which the Wallabies have helped people of all ages and abilities feel, with the tri-ability event following on from the second edition of the women's only triathlon.
But Patterson explained it is not just those special events in which the club will offer people support.
"Thinking about it broadly, I think the message that we are trying to get across is that we are putting on this race for them, but these kids are always welcome, as is anyone with any disability," he said. "Everyone is always welcome to come down and we will make it work. It's about providing opportunity for everyone."
The regular senior short and long course races will commence from 8am Sunday morning, with the special tri-ability wave expected to start at 9.30am.
