Multisport, an athletic competition that features a combination of two or more sports, is now a Scouting America merit badge.
Scouts BSA members, along with Sea Scouts and Venturers who have earned the rank of First Class in a troop, may begin work on the merit badge beginning in March 2025, when the pamphlet becomes available at local Scout Shops and at ScoutShop.org.
The Multisport merit badge allows Scouts to combine two or more activities from the sports of swimming, biking and running.
The Multisport merit badge and its accompanying pamphlet were made possible by Distinguished Eagle Scout and Silver Buffalo recipient Dave Alexander, an accomplished multisport athlete and longtime supporter of Scouting America.
Much of the content and photography was supplied by USA Triathlon, the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon and other multisport events in the United States.
“Multisport has been a major part of my life,” says Alexander. “The people I have met through triathlons are multifaceted, and they tend to be very successful in their lives. I would like to see more young people involved in multisport because of what it did for me in my life and what I’ve seen it do for others.”
What is the Multisport merit badge all about?
Scouts who choose to pursue the Multisport merit badge have the option of exploring and participating in one of the following multisport formats:
- Triathlon — swimming, biking and running
- Duathlon — running and biking
- Aquathlon — swimming and running
- Aquabike — swimming and biking
Scouts who choose to focus on a multisport competition that includes swimming are required to earn the Swimming merit badge before completing the more rigorous swimming Multisport requirements.
Scouts do not have to complete an official, sanctioned multisport event to earn the Multisport merit badge, though they can if they want to. They do have to complete all of the events of their chosen format in the same day under the direction of a Multisport merit badge counselor.
Scouts will also learn about the history of multisport, related safety hazards and the importance of staying physically fit. Additionally, they will learn how to get involved with multisport activities in their community.
The Multisport requirements include the completion of a four-week training plan that will give Scouts a good idea of what it takes to Be Prepared for a multisport event.
The Multisport badge serves as a natural progression for Scouts who are interested in or have already earned merit badges for Swimming, Cycling, Athletics or Personal Fitness.
What is USA Triathlon?
USA Triathlon is the national governing body for triathlon — as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon — in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world.
In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon World Championships, Pan American Games, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We are thrilled to partner with Scouting America to introduce young people to the lifelong benefits of multisport,” says Christi-Marie Butler, chief development officer of the USA Triathlon Foundation. “This badge program will provide a fun and engaging way for Scouts to learn the fundamentals of swimming, biking and running, and hopefully inspire the next generation of triathlon athletes.”
What are the Multisport merit badge requirements?
The complete requirements are listed below.
- Do the following:
(a) Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter during multisport activities and what you should do to anticipate, prevent, mitigate and respond to these hazards.
(b) Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in multisport events, including abrasions, blisters, concussions, contusions, dehydration, hypothermia, overheating, sprains and strains.
- Do the following:
(a) Explain the importance of a physical exam, and have your health-care practitioner give you a physical examination using the Scouting America Annual Health and Medical Record.
(b) Explain the importance of maintaining good health habits, especially during training, and how the use of tobacco products, alcohol and other harmful substances can negatively affect your health and your performance in athletic activities.
(c) Define a healthy diet,,k and explain the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.
- Do the following:
(a) Discuss with your counselor your level of familiarity and experience with the multisport events (swimming, biking and running) and the order and distance of each sports segment.
(b) Explain to your counselor which multisport event (swimming, biking or running) you feel is your strongest and which you could improve upon the most.
(c) Identify the required equipment for each of the three common multisport events (swimming, biking and running).
(d) Based on your interests, experience and discussion with your counselor, select one of the following multisport formats to concentrate on for the remaining requirements:
(1) Triathlon: swimming, biking and running
(2) Duathlon: running and biking
(3) Aquathlon: swimming and running
(4) Aquabike: swimming and biking
- Complete all of the activities that apply to the multisport format that you selected in requirement 3(d) (triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon or aquabike):
(a) Swimming
(1) Before doing requirements 5 through 8, earn the Swimming merit badge.
(2) Explain the components of the Scouting America Safe Swim Defense program and how you will ensure they are in place when you swim.
(3) Explain to your counselor the difference between a pool swim and an open-water swim, including at what water temperature it is appropriate to wear a wet suit.
(b) Biking
(1) Explain to your counselor how to ride predictably, be conspicuous, think ahead and ride ready.
(2) Discuss what should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
(3) Explain the importance of wearing a properly sized and fitted helmet while cycling and of wearing the right clothing for the weather.
(c) Running
(1) Demonstrate a proper run warmup and cooldown. Explain to your counselor the importance of maintaining healthy habits, including hydration, nutrition, injury prevention and rest.
(2) Learn and state the basic rules of the road for runners.
(3) Demonstrate important running drills, including high knees, butt kicks, lunges, inchworms and soldier kicks.
- Do the following:
(a) With guidance from your counselor, establish a four-week training plan that combines your chosen multisport format to develop proper techniques, gain self-confidence and increase endurance. Each session should last at least 25 minutes and include a proper warmup before the session and stretching afterward.
(b) Use a chart or other tracking method to monitor your training and development during this period.
(c) Set a personal goal for improvement based on one or more of the following criteria: time, technique or distance.
(d) At the end of four weeks, discuss your progress with your counselor, and tell how your development has affected you mentally and physically.
- Learn the methods of setting up your transition area, which is where your bike equipment and/or running gear will be. Discuss with your counselor how to smoothly and safely transition from one element to the next, such as mounting and dismounting your bike or adjusting your gear.
- After completing requirements 1-6, complete all of the activities (on the same day and consecutively) for the multisport focus area that you selected in requirement 3(d), including demonstrating a smooth and safe transition between each:
(a) Triathlon: swim (100 m), bike (3 km) and run (1 km)
(b) Duathlon: run (1.5 km), bike (3 km), and run (.75 km)
(c) Aquathlon: swim (100 m) and run (1 km)
(d) Aqua bike: swim (100 m) and bike (3 km)
- Do two of the following and discuss with your counselor:
(a) Research and identify two ways you can continue participating in multisport after completing this merit badge.
(b) Research an Olympic, Paralympic or professional triathlete (past or current). Share information on their background in the sport and what inspires you most about this individual.
(c) Demonstrate leadership by starting a training group and educating your peers on the importance of physical activity, nutrition and the disciplines of multisport.
(d) Sign up for and participate in a sanctioned multisport event in your area.
(e) Volunteer at a local multisport event, running race, biking event, swim meet or adaptive sporting event.
(Always check the official Scouting America Merit Badge Hub for the latest requirements.)
Photo of swimmer by Jupiter Images. Photos of biker, runner and athlete transitioning from swimming to biking courtesy of Archi Trujillo/USA Triathlon.
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