Most of us had some experience in at least one of the three disciplines prior to starting triathlon, so while many of us are beginner triathletes there was already a reasonable level of base fitness prior to joining. We do not expect any members to win races this year, however we're pretty sure we won't finish last either... on the bell curve of fitness, the majority of expaTRIés members are right on the hump!
If you are a runner or cyclist and want to get into triathlon but are concerned about the swim, expaTRIés is definitely the place for you as most of our members have this profile. The same is true for swimmers who are concerned about the aerobic effort of the run.
What methods of payment are accepted?
Members can pay by check, or via electronic transfer. See our Join Up page for details.
Where do expaTRIés members train?
While the club has not yet established designated hours at any of the larger sporting complexes in Paris, we train in some of the best facilities in the area. In the pool, you can find us at the Suzanne Berlioux pool in Les Halles, the Neuilly Aquatic Center or the Municipal pool in Courbevoie. Bike rides and runs are spread out, however on the weekends, longer training sessions typically kick off from the Bois de Boulogne.
Do I need a medical certificate to get a license?
Short answer - yes.
You need to have your doctor conduct a medical examination and sign the "Attestation Medicale" section of the License Application Form prior to sending it to us. One of the club’s founding principles is to facilitate the access to swim, bike and run events in France. By having your doctor complete the License Application Form, you may take part in the Paris half marathon in March, the Time-Mégève cycle race in June and Medoc marathon at the end of September and you will not need a medical certificate each time - just your FFTRI license!
What if I don't think I'm going to take part in any races?
It is possible to join expaTRIés as full member with a training licence. However, we would recommend that you take full membership and a senior triathlon license just in case you get tempted. If you’re not going to train or compete, then you should consider a social membership (see our Join Up page for more details).
If I join a triathlon club, will I only be licensed for triathlon events?
The triathlon license is advantageous to anyone competing in multiple sports. By joining the club one is licensed to compete in events for any single sport. So, if your race schedule starts with the Paris Marathon and ends with the Duo Normand, the triathlon license is recognized by either as a valid certificate for registration.
Why don't I take out an individual license outside the framework of a club?
Triathlon can be a daunting sport for the uninitiated. The framework of a club is key to surmounting many of the challenges posed by multi-sport events. From a strickly financial perspective, it is generally cheaper to join a club than take out an individual license and in the case of expaTRIés, you will probably save around €45.
Why do I need an annual triathlon license?
To compete in triathlon in France you need a triathlon license. While you could take out a daily license each time you race, ultimately it doesn't add up if you are going to do more than a few races a year. Aside from the cost, some race organisers are not that organised and simply may not have the paperwork for you to complete a daily license. Furthermore, without an annual triathlon license you will also need to provide a valid medical certificate each time you race. As race organisers tend to require an original copy (and like to keep them) this means you will have to re-visit your doctor prior to each race. With an annual license you visit the doctor just once a year. The system of sports' licenses in France also provides additional insurance for license holders - in this case under a policy taken out by the FFTRI on behalf of its members.
Why join expaTRIés?
Our club is aimed specifically at the English-speaking community and this distinguishes expaTRIés from any other club in France. The recognised language of the club is English and this is enshrined in the club by-laws. We want to facilitate access to competitions for those individuals who would otherwise swim, bike or run but who are deterred from doing so in France by language issues. By providing regular training sessions we want to develop an environment in which members can exchange ideas and provide mutual support in a language in which they are more comfortable. Many existing clubs are focused on their elite teams - our goal is to encourage people of average athletic ability to go that little bit further.
- Why join expaTRIés?
- Why do I need an annual triathlon license?
- Why don't I take out an individual license outside the framework of a club?
- If I join a triathlon club, will I only be licensed for triathlon events?
- What if I don't think I'm going to take part in any races?
- Do I need a medical certificate to get a license?
- Where do expaTRIés members train?
- How much do I pay?
- What methods of payment are accepted?
- What is the fitness level of most club members?
