What makes my day easier

Having attend multiple triathlon/duathlon/aquathlon events over the years I have now a bag full of various items that I think make my life easier while acting as a TO.

Starting off with the essential items you must have with you on race day;

• Yellow/Red/Blue cards
• Notebook and Pencils (pencils are best as you can still write on paper even if the paper is wet)
• Whistle
• Black permanent marker
• Ball point pen/s
• Your race briefing for the event (the TD will give the race briefing)
• ITU Rule book (you could have a copy of this on your mobile phone)
• TI Derogation Booklet
• Thermometer (for checking air and water temperature)
• Protest/Appeals forms
• Race Safety Plan
• Race permit (issued from TI)
• Sanctioning notice (issued from TI)

Extra items worth having in your car;

• Penalty board (just in case the race organiser does not provide one)
• Air/water temperature board
• Bag of wine bottle caps and coloured insulating tape (ideal to plug bar ends, only a temporary solution)
• Clicker counter
• Water temperature chart
• River flow chart
• Temperature/Safety check sheet
• Jury selection sheet
• Penalty notice sheet
• Bike set up check sheet for CAT 1 & 2 events
• Sign on sheet for CAT 1 & 2 (used to check CAT competitors have attended the briefing)
• Chalk (sometimes used to mark on the ground 10 meters to show competitors the drafting distance)
• Sun cream
• Bottle of water for yourself
• Insect repellent (the midges are a killer at some races)
• Sun glasses
• Bicycle pump and a few bike tools
• Change of clothing (because you will get wet sometimes)

The Penalty Board with competitor number, the penalty and from recent experience also include the time you put the penalty up on the board.  Always write in permanent marker (so it cannot be removed) and then take a photo of the board.

Air/water temperature board                                     

Very important you have a copy of the ITU Rule book and the TI Derogation Booklet with you just in case you have to reference a ruling.  As the ITU book is quiet big document to print off having a copy on your mobile phone would be acceptable.

When taking the water temperature you should check it at least one hour before the start of the event at three locations around the course at a depth of 600 mm (approx 2ft), having a weight attached to the thermometer and a marker on the cord attached to the thermometer will ensure you are checking at the correct depth, or you could have the thermometer attached to pole.

The Protest/Appeals forms can be downloaded from the ITU website, these are required if a competitor wishes to make a protest about another competitor (an official, the course) or appeal a decision make against them.  They cannot appeal a judgement call (drafting being one).

A race number belt, bike pump and some bike tool are also worth having in your bag so you can lend to a competitor.