ABOUT US

USA Triathlon High Performance Team logo
USA Triathlon Gold Club logo
USA Triathlon certified coach club logo
USA Triathlon Raced at YJN club logo
Best of Mount Pleasant 2018 medal logo

USAT CERTIFIED TRIATHLON CLUB

We areĀ Charlestonā€™s premiere youth and junior triathlon club, founded in 2016 by Shana Fitch. Coach Shana was the first in the State of South Carolina to receive the USAT Youth & Junior Elite Coaching certification.

Acquired in 2024 by Kurt Polk, of Cove Creek Partners, Palmetto TRIbe continues to recruit a top-talent USAT Certified Coaching team, amplified by local partnerships that share the team’s purpose-driven mission to grow youth triathlon across South Carolina. Since our inception, our program has always been committed to creating a pure triathlon environment, applauding progress over perfection, in anĀ athlete-first focused team culture. Our ultimate goal is to foster a life-long love of sport in our athletes. We believe there isĀ anĀ athlete inside every child.

Palmetto TRIbeā€™s programs ensure athletes practice all sport segments every week, in a high-energy, safe,Ā teamĀ environment. Our performance progression for athletes Ages 8-19yo follows the Team USA Athlete Developmental Model. Our coached programs provide triathlon-specific swim, bike and run coaching to drive skill development and speed performance. We model USAT best practices in triathlon technical skills, transitions, safety protocols, mental skills, and race-day preparation & strategy. There is no bench-warming on our team – everyone practices, and everyone races.

Palmetto TRIbe competes in local and regional races, in addition to USAT Youth & Junior Nationals held annually. We are South Carolina proud!

#swimbikerunTRIbe

2016

Palmetto TRIbe Founded

200+ triathletes coached since inception

2017

Charleston’s 1st Youth TRI Team

2018

Charleston’s 1st High School TRI Team

Charleston’s 1st Open Water Youth TRI Race

Cofounded race in partnership with Charleston County Parks & Recreation

2019

Charleston’s 1st Youth Travel Team

2020

Received USAT High Performance Team Designation

First and only recipient in South Carolina

First Youth TRI Summer Camp

In partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant

2021

First athlete to podium finish at USAT Youth & Junior Nationals.

First athlete to head to college on triathlon scholarship.

2022
Charleston’s 1st Draft-Legal TRI Team
2023

Launch of the Inaugural MPRD Youth & Junior Tri Race

Cofounded race in partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant.

USA Triathlon High Performance Team logo
USA Triathlon Gold Club logo
USA Triathlon certified coach club logo
USA Triathlon Raced at YJN club logo
Best of Mount Pleasant 2018 medal logo

USAT CERTIFIED TRIATHALON CLUB

We are Charlestonā€™s premiere youth and junior triathlon club, founded in 2016 by Shana Fitch. A former Division I Track & Field athlete at Virginia Tech, Coach Fitch was the first in the State of South Carolina to receive her USAT Youth & Junior Elite Coaching certification. Fitch has been racing short-course triathlon for over a decade and her two kids have been racing triathlon with Palmetto TRIbe from the start.

Coach Fitch has amassed a talented team of USAT Certified Coaches that share her purpose-driven mission to bring youth triathlon to South Carolina in an unordinary way. We focus on creating a pure triathlon environment, applauding progress over perfection, in an athlete-first focused team culture.

Respecting the multisport aspects of triathlon, Palmetto TRIbeā€™s programs ensure athletes practice all sport segments every week, in a high-energy, safe, team environment that has its own unique #TRIbeVibe culture.Ā Our mission is to develop the athlete inside every child, at their progression, through intentional and thoughtful application of triathlon specific swim, bike and run practices. We appreciate and acknowledge that every athlete is unique and that the multisport experience of triathlon allows multiple segments for athletes to excel and be challenged in individual ways.

Our intentional performance progression for athletes Ages 7-19yo is built upon a commitment to the USA Athlete Developmental Model, with a methodical progression to support the athlete lifecycle. Our talented team of USAT Certified Coaches provide triathlon specific coaching to drive skill development and speed performance in swimming, biking and running. We model USAT best practices in triathlon technical skills, transitions, safety protocols, mental skills, and race-day preparation & strategy.

Palmetto TRIbe competes in local and regional races, in addition to USAT Youth & Junior Nationals race held annually. We are South Carolina proud and have many unique team culture elements, like running the last athlete in at races. We focus on creating a progression for athletes to experience a lifelong love of sport. #swimbikerunTRIbe

2016

Palmetto TRIbe Founded

200+ triathletes coached since inception

2017

Charleston’s 1st Youth TRI Team

2018

Charleston’s 1st High School TRI Team

Charleston’s 1st Open Water Youth TRI Race

Cofounded race in partnership with Charleston County Parks & Recreation

2019

Charleston’s 1st Youth Travel Team

2020

Received USAT High Performance Team Designation

First and only recipient in South Carolina

First Youth TRI Summer Camp

In partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant

2021

First athlete to podium finish at USAT Youth & Junior Nationals.

First athlete to head to college on triathlon scholarship.

2022
Charleston’s 1st Draft-Legal TRI Team

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