By Margaret Maccoll
Thousands of children charged into Noosa River at Chaplin Park on Saturday to begin their swim leg of the Kids Tri followed by a cycle and run.
Connor MacLeod, 9, of Sunrise Beach was “nervous” at competing in his first Tri. Connor had never swum in the river before but he was well prepared for the event with a stack of sports experience under his belt. As well as being a nipper at Noosa Connor plays AFL, basketball, soccer and cricket.
First timer Laila Moloney, 10, of Noosa was “a little bit nervous”.
“I’ll probably get kicked in the head (in the swim),” she said.
Her friend Alyssa Dinnage, 10, who competed last year was “excited”.
“Last year it was pretty fun,” she said.
There were plenty of smiles at the end of the event.
Alexander Nicholls, 11, of Peregian Springs said “it was very fun”.
“The worst part was the swim,” he said.
“My arms tired out.”
But that won’t stop Alexander coming back.
“I’ll do it every year,” he said.