There are plenty of triathletes in the UK, and our numbers are growing. There are over 200 official triathlon clubs UK-wide. Triathlon220, the popular UK magazine, now has a circulation of 23500; and the majority of triathletes don’t buy it, preferring to use websites and triathlon forums as their information source. It’s a popular sport, and its growing fast.

The demographics of this group tend to be middle class, white, often with a family, and usually with a steady and decent household income. We typify the Pro-Am revolution: we have superior knowledge about a particular section of consumption – we make informed choices about our often large spending patterns on bikes, trainers, wetsuits, and all means of tri kit and gear. We plan holidays around foreign races, often taking family and friends with us, we have triathlon clubs, running clubs and gym memberships, all at some cost. We (try to) eat healthily and spend a considerable amount of time (typically between 5-20 hours a week) training to achieve our triathlon goals.

Let’s face it, its not a cheap sport.

With these considerably sport-specific, well-thought-out consumption patterns, there’s big potential for us to also make a positive impact on the environment, society as well as the economy. Being eco-friendly isn’t all about growing veggies and wearing vintage clothing: its about tailoring your consumption patterns so that we minimise your impact on the environment and maximise benefits to our communities.

As triathletes, we have already shown we’re capable of wielding large consumer power, by our annual spend on sports-related consumption, in a very informed manner. Why not also use this to reduce your impact on the planet, so that your kids can enjoy triathlon in some of the beautiful places we do, knowing that you did your bit to limit climate change, reduce pollution and preserve places of natural beauty? We enjoy the environment every time we get on our bikes, lace up our trainers, or struggle with the wetsuit (and potentially the neoprene cap if you’re in the UK). Even more so when we race in some of the fantastic locations available to us: Port Macquarie, Florianopolis, Weymouth, the Victoria Docks ;) Why not make sure that your kids get to enjoy it too?

There’s a lot to take in when buying a bike, shopping at the supermarket, organising that trip to the Ironman you’ve trained for all year. But we love organising stuff, right?? Every triathlete suffers from OCD to some extent the night before a major race. I’ve seen you line up and double count those race-gels… So I’m figuring that a little extra work to make sure you’ve done the right thing not only by you, but also by the environment will not be too big a hurdle. And I’m going to help you… here’s how I’m tackling some of the problems we face in being responsible athletes, one step at a time.

Friday 24 August 2007

Sustainable consumption - clothing

If you're looking for some lifestyle tri wear which will help save the planet and be fair to cotton farming communities, check these guys out:

at www.artoftri.com

Not only is the cotton organically sourced so there's no chemical pesticides (studies show organic farming gives more income back to the farmer aswell), and only natural dyes are used, 5% of the retail price goes back into direct action projects involving underpriveledged kids and sport. And plus it is cool too.

To quote their website:

"We offer quality 100% organic casual clothing that captures the spirit, passion and dedication of Ironman triathletes, and triathlon enthusiasts the world over.art of tri triathlon clothing is the ideal choice for post and pre training sessions, and a must have for any triathlon race day!Our triathlon clothing reflects the pride we feel in our performance, and the exhilaration we experience when we cross the finish line, whatever our time and whatever our event.Whether you are a novice triathlete starting out racing sprint triathlons, or a seasoned veteran of Olympic Distance, Half Ironman or Ironman art of tri triathlon organic clothing has a range and design just for you.All art of tri triathlon clothing is made from 100% organic cotton, and packaged using 100% biodegradable materials."

At the moment they are available in some stores in the US, or by mail order until it appears in stores near you!

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