National titles will be up for grabs in five sport classes as athletes tackle a 750 metres swim, 20 kilometres cycle and 5km run at Cowell Beach and Depot Park on August 14.

The event is likely to feature members of the US Paralympic triathlon team in their final competition before Rio 2016, where triathlon will make its debut on September 10 and 11.

In addition to chasing national titles, athletes may also qualify for the USA Paratriathlon development team programme, which aims to identify and develop athletic potential leading toward the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

"We are incredibly excited to move this event to Santa Cruz, California, and Tri Santa Cruz in 2016," said Amanda Duke Boulet, USA Paratriathlon programme manager.

"Tri Santa Cruz is a long-standing event and Para-triathletes have been supported by race management for nearly 10 years.

“This event will showcase some of our nation's best Para-triathletes, whether up-and-coming stars or world-ranked athletes heading to Rio for their Paralympic Games debut.”

Athletes wishing to compete in the 2016 USA Paratriathlon National Championships must be officially classified and must have completed a USA Triathlon or International Triathlon Union (ITU) sanctioned event that meets distance and time standards between May 1, 2015, and July 17, 2016.

Athletes who are not classified or do not meet the time standards may choose to race in the Physically Challenged Open Division, which is available to those with a medically verified physical, visual or neurological impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

A national classification opportunity will be offered in Santa Cruz prior to the event.

Complete details on qualification standards and the link to register are available by clicking here.

Patricia Walsh was among the winners at last year's USA Paratriathlon National Championships in Austin in Texas, claiming her fourth straight PT5 title

Para-triathletes successfully defending their crowns was very much the theme of the event as 2014 national champion Mike Wong took the men’s PT3 honours.