Gerry Rott launched Lavaman Triathlon Waikoloa in 1998 in honor of her husband, Nick Rott, who died tragically on a bike training ride in 1994. That first year 83 competitors gathered along the sandy beach of Anaehoomalu Bay ready to take on the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run as the newest Olympic Distance event on the circuit. Lavaman celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023 after missing two years as a result of Covid. Therace grew from the first 83 to an average of 1600 athletesfrom across the United States, Canada and Europe.
Gerry leaves a lasting legacy. She will forever be remembered and admired as a pillar of our sports community devoting her life to helping others make positive changes by living an active lifestyle. Gerry gave extensive contributions to and was an advocate for youth groups along with schools across the Big Island. She was a true champion and inspiration helping to shape the next generation of community leaders through LavaKids. Gerry's
LavaKids motto "Kulia I Ka Nu'u", Strive to Reach the Highest will forever remain in our hearts. Mahalo Gerry!
Kona Brew Partnership:
The Sponsorship/Partnership between Kona Brewing Company and the Lavaman Triathlon, began in 1997 when Gerry Rott, then owner of B & L Bike & Sports approached Mattson Davis with Kona Brewing Company to help sponsor the Inaugural Lavaman Triathlon by providing beer for the Awards Banquet at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. We had only had 83 Competitors & 2 Kegs that first year. With the support of Dieter Seeger, then General Manager of the Hilton Waikoloa Village and Kona Brewing Company we were able to create a high quality event even though the numbers were small. We all agreed that this was an event that could grow.
1998 – In exchange for the use of the name Lavaman to name the newly developed Red Ale by Kona Brewing Company, an official sponsorship began between Kona Brewing Company and the Lavaman Triathlon whereby Kona Brewing Company would continue to provide the beer the Lavaman along with some prizes and other concessions.
For the last 20 years, this partnership and co/branding has grown. Kona Brewing Company is now a major player in the world of specialty beers and the Lavaman Triathlon has become a major world class Olympic Distance triathlon, having grown from 83 Competitors in 1998 to a sold out field of over 1800 Competitors that will be competing on April 2, 2017.
The 1800 Competitors and the 600 Volunteers now consume nearly 24 kegs of beer at the Lavaman Awards Beach Party, often dubbed as “The Best Party in Triathlon.”
A joint tag line developed by Kona Brewing Company and Lavaman Triathlon 20 years ago was “Celebrate the Spirit”. Today we continue to “Celebrate the Spirit” of the Competitors that race in the Lavaman, as well as that of the Race Committee, Volunteers, the Community, and the Sponsors that make this all happen.