i qualified for aquathlon worlds. for team kit and registration it is $600, so we can pay usat to fly out there. i turned it down, and signed up for a local usat certified college aquathlon, that was $25.... and i think at a just equal level of competition as worlds would have been, cause these kids are up and budding xc runners/swimmers,etc.

when you sign up for a race... you see an advertised price... by the time you actually register, price is probably 25% more than advertised (processing fee, usat membership). it deteriorates the soul after a while. the full price should be advertised up front.

the tri club here in SD is doing something right in terms of pricing. $75 a year, and about 10 chip timed sprint races a year, with all post race perks as normal (food..... minus finisher medal and t shirt). participation is not that high though, because everyone is sucked into the mental realm of ironman being the only legitimate type of racing, so many dont show up for the race because they are busy doing a long ride or whatever.

so this gentrified sport of ironman, nationals, worlds keeps real potential athletes out, because of the costs which favor someone in a white collar desk position of the bourgeois class.

im only surviving in this sport because i use to have a decent job. i got hit by a car which insurance got me a decent tri bike to use. the race costs are getting to me though. the club races are real fun... i think you should contact them or other tri clubs should follow the model
.... we do have an advantage here though. you really dont need a pool membership. open water is bearable all year.