What to Buy for an Aquathlon

An aquathlon needs more than swim goggles and a finish line. You will need equipment for the swim course, a clearly marked run route, a workable transition area and supplies for registration, hydration and safety. Plan quantities around your participant count, volunteers and course layout. Check pool rules and access times before buying or collecting lane equipment, and arrange power, tables and weather cover early so setup does not depend on last-minute availability.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Registration tablesqty 3
Buffet tablesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Changing room benchesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Competition swim gogglesqty 6
Swimming lanesqty 6
Swim lane reelsqty 2
Traffic conesqty 30
Route arrowsqty 20
Crowd barriersqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 6
Water station tablesqty 3
Reusable drink cupsqty 150
Starting blocksqty 4
Transition zone binsqty 30
Stopwatchesqty 8
Timekeeping clocksqty 3
Whistlesqty 10
Safety vestsqty 20
Course signsqty 12
Towelsqty 120
First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Ice packsqty 20

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Power banksqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Laptopsqty 2
Printers

Tableware

Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Reusable mugsqty 120
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving Cupsqty 8

Decorations

Start and finish arch
Buntingqty 8
Sponsor bannersqty 6
Stage blocksqty 3

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Hand broomsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 8
Ice packsqty 30
Hot holding containersqty 4

Catering

Bib numbersqty 130
Wristbandsqty 130
Medalsqty 120
Winner's cupsqty 6
Groceries
- Still water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 48 bottles
- Lemon sports drink - 60 bottles
- Orange sports drink - 60 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Ice tea - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Green tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Pears - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 12 trays
- Oranges - 60 pieces
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Energy gels - 120 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Wholemeal rolls - 100 pieces
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Margarine - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Turkey breast - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 8 bags
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Vegetarian wraps - 60 pieces
- Chicken breast for wraps - 3 kilograms
- Feta cheese - 2 kilograms
- Corn - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Pasta salad - 10 kilogram
- Potato salad - 8 kilograms
- Vegetarian pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Chicken meatballs - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian meatballs - 4 kilogram
- Mini wraps - 150 pieces
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Vegan spreads - 6 tubs
- Gluten-free bread - 4 loaves
- Allergen stickers - 2 sets
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Garbage bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper bread bags - 150 pieces
- Cooling elements for refreshments - 40 pieces
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Herb mix - 4 jars

Tips

Prepare one set of bibs, wristbands and registration materials for every participant, plus at least 5–10% extra for replacements and late corrections. Keep the start list and spare materials at the registration table.
For hydration, plan at least one reusable cup per expected user at each serving point, then add 10–20% spare cups. Provide coolers and chilled drinks early enough that they are cold before the first swimmers leave the transition area.
Mark the swim, transition and run sections separately. Use lane equipment for the pool, cones and arrows for the route, and barriers or barrier tape where runners could enter the wrong lane or come close to traffic.
Pack safety equipment separately from general supplies: whistles, safety vests, stopwatches, timekeeping clocks and first-aid arrangements should be checked before volunteers arrive. Test every timing device and radio or phone contact at least 30 minutes before the start.
Bring a power plan for the event site. Count extension cords and power strips by setup area, keep power banks available for timing or registration devices, and protect speakers and the wireless microphone from rain under party tents.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for an aquathlon?: At minimum, plan swim goggles, swimming lanes and lane reels, starting blocks if the venue uses them, plus cones, route arrows, course signs and transition zone bins. Add timing equipment, whistles, safety vests, hydration supplies and registration materials for event-day operations.
How many drinks should I buy for an aquathlon?: Use two to three drinks per participant for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy at least 10% extra for volunteers, warm weather and spilled or misplaced cups.
How many spare bibs and wristbands do I need?: Prepare one for every registered participant and keep 5–10% extra. For 100 participants, that means 105–110 bibs and wristbands, with a marker and blank labels available for corrections.
When should I prepare the aquathlon shopping list?: Make the first list at least two weeks before the event, once the participant estimate and venue layout are clear. Confirm rented or borrowed equipment 5–7 days before the start and check drinks, signage and power supplies again the day before.

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