The festival kicks off with a 1km ocean swim on Friday afternoon at around 5.30. Like most of the festival events ‘race central’ will be a large marquee at Main Beach. Registration for the ocean swim will take place there between 4.30 and 5.10pm.

Saturday will see various events such as the Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run) at 7am and the Enticer Triathlon (300m swim, 8km cycle, 2km run) at 10.30am.

Making it a truly family friendly festival, there’s also the Miniman Triathlon for the seven to 11, and 12 to 16 age groups.

Proving popular at last year’s inaugural triathlon festival, the YMCA Charity Fun Run is back again this year. This is a 5km run along a picturesque course, kicking off at around 4.30pm.

The afternoon will also see the Forster Criterium with some top riders doing laps of Macintosh St.

Once again the Great Lakes International Triathlon Association (GLITA) is coordinating the team of local volunteers who are crucial for such a festival to take place.

According to race director Mark Emerton from Elite Energy there are over 250 locals who have pledged their assistance and they will be briefed on Thursday evening at Club Forster.

Volunteers are still needed so if you can lend a hand call Paul Nixon on 0421 046 199 or call the Forster Visitors Information Centre on 6554 8799.

Mr Emerton is hoping the community will come out and cheer on competitors and witness the spectacle.

“Why not rise early on Sunday to watch entrants tackle the NSW Long Course Triathlon Championship which completes an arduous loop course from Forster to Pacific Palms and return?

“The course concludes with the famous run leg across Forster-Tuncurry bridge with both individuals and teams taking part.”

For more details on events to be held over the weekend go to:

www.eliteenergy.com.au/forster .