Greetings!  

Aloha and welcome to our first publication of LAVA FLASH, the official monthly newsletter of the Lavaman Triathlons. As the Lavaman Triathlons have grown in popularity, we have been able to reach thousands of athletes and we have created a network of competitors from across the country that come back annually to share in the Lavaman experience at either Lavaman Keauhou or Lavaman Waikoloa. Whether you are planning to compete in the Lavaman for the first time or are a regular participant, volunteer, sponsor or spectator, you are a part of the Lavaman `ohana. We want to share with you the news flashes regarding Lavaman so you don't miss any exciting announcements or opportunities and also to share with you information about those people that support and make the race happen. We hope that you will enjoy this first issue and we hope to see you soon at one of the Lavaman Triathlon events.

Mahalo nui loa,

Gerry Rott, Race Director  

Lavaman Keauhou Competitors take advantage now of the spectacular rate being offered by our Host Hotel, The Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay.  

Lavaman Special - $129.00 plus $10.42 resort fee and taxes

Stay where all of the action is for Lavaman weekend:

Friday & Saturday - Sports & Fitness Expo

Athlete Registration & Packet Pick-up

Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting

Friday - 5K Sunset Run

Saturday - LavaKids Aquathlon

Sunday - Lavaman Triathlon

It all starts and finishes at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay.  

Register now as rooms are limited. 

1st 100 athletes to register at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay will receive a special Lavaman Welcome Gift - Two (2) CO2 cartridges and Lavaman Sports Towel 

LINK FROM THE LAVAMAN WEBSITE OR GO TO:

Professional chef, amateur endurance athlete, and founder of Helgi Olafson Foundation (HOF) has been creating a buzz here on the Big Island.  Helgi started his journey into triathlon as a runner for co-ed relay team "Po'o Pua'a" at 2012 Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon.  Since this race, Olafson has been training hard and taking every chance he can to educate others about Ankylosing Spondylitis, which is a genetic autoimmune disease that he has been diagnosed with for over 11 years.

Helgi also volunteers to help out with the Lavaman Triathlons, organizing the aide station for PATH's Sunset Run 5K and community organizations like Deep and Beyond, where he helps challenged participants have fun in the water with swimming and snorkeling.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with Helgi and HOF and please visit www.helgiolafson.org for more information.

Kona Community Hospital staff turned out in force to support the 16th annual Lavaman Waikaloa Expo and Triathlon, which was held from March 22-24. At the Friday and Saturday Lavaman Expo, volunteers at KCH's expo booth took blood pressure readings, resting pulse rates and oxygen saturation levels of expo-goers. The "What's Your Number" theme was an opportunity to highlight heart health and KCH's on-campus cardiology clinic. Mahalo to Biomed's Jerry Jucha for providing the equipment and training for this event.

On Sunday, Dr. Beth Groshong, the event's medical director (and KCH Anesthesiologist), along with a large contingent of Kona Community Hospital clinical and administrative staff managed the triathlon medical tents, aid stations and medical vans. Throughout the day, the medical team taped ankles, shoulders and knees for sprains and strains; infused IV's for dehydration, nausea and vomiting and delivered oxygen and breathing treatments to asthmatics.

In addition, Dr. Groshong extended praise to the large all-volunteer, community medical team. "A great big MAHALO for everyone who helped make this year's Lavaman Waikoloa the best and safest EVER."