# SoftStart Tri

> Beginner triathlon race finder for Florida and the Southeast US (FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, TN, AL). Lists 68 races with a SoftStart Score (0 to 10) built only from verified beginner signals, plus 345 tri clubs, running clubs and shops. Founded by Kevin Andreosky (Fort Lauderdale, FL).

## Key pages
- [Race finder](https://softstarttri.com/): filter by state, swim type (pool, lake, ocean), distance, beginner flag, month
- [How SoftStart Score works](https://softstarttri.com/how-we-score.html)
- [Beginner guides](https://softstarttri.com/guides/)
- [Clubs and shops](https://softstarttri.com/clubs-and-shops/)
- [First Tri Starter Kit PDF](https://softstarttri.com/starter-kit/first-tri-starter-kit.pdf)
- [Feature your race](https://softstarttri.com/submit.html)

## Guides
- [Your first triathlon in Florida: how to pick a race](https://softstarttri.com/guides/first-triathlon-florida-how-to-pick-a-race.html): How to pick a beginner-friendly first triathlon in Florida: distance, swim type, timing, and what to look for on the race page.
- [Pool swim triathlons in Florida](https://softstarttri.com/guides/pool-swim-triathlons-florida.html): Upcoming pool-swim triathlons in Florida and the Southeast for first-timers who want to skip open water.
- [Beginner triathlons near Orlando, Tampa, and Miami](https://softstarttri.com/guides/beginner-triathlons-orlando-tampa-miami.html): Upcoming beginner-friendly triathlons near Orlando/Clermont, Tampa Bay, and Miami/South Florida, with SoftStart Scores.
- [What gear do you actually need for a sprint triathlon?](https://softstarttri.com/guides/sprint-triathlon-gear-you-actually-need.html): The short, honest gear list for a first sprint triathlon: what is required, what helps, and what to skip.
- [Open water swim panic: what to do](https://softstarttri.com/guides/open-water-swim-panic-what-to-do.html): A simple plan for panic in a triathlon open water swim: how to stop, breathe, rest legally, and keep going.
- [Sprint triathlon training plan for beginners (12 weeks)](https://softstarttri.com/guides/sprint-triathlon-training-plan-beginners-12-weeks.html): A simple 12-week sprint triathlon training plan outline for beginners, with weekly focus and sessions.

## Data
- [races.json](https://softstarttri.com/data/races.json) and [races.csv](https://softstarttri.com/data/races.csv). Data: SoftStart Tri (softstarttri.com), compiled from public race websites and calendars listed in source_url and registration_url. License: CC BY 4.0, attribute 'SoftStart Tri' with a link. Verify details with the race.

## Scoring
Points: pool or indoor swim 2; super-sprint, try-a-tri or youth 2; novice or first-timer support 2; women-only 1; relay 1; Athena/Clydesdale 1; flat course 1; recreational wave 1; sprint distance 1; duathlon option 1; aquabike option 1. Capped at 10. Races with too little verified data are Unscored. No invented points or reviews.

## More
- [Full text for LLMs](https://softstarttri.com/llms-full.txt)