PLYMOUTH TRIATHLON CLUB 

NEW Section – meet the Committee Member

After a request to see who the committee and coaches are, we are running a series of meet the team, somehow I got chosen first! The updates are posted on the Facebook pages (members only and open), they will also be posted here, so here goes! p.s. I don’t know about the expert bit!!!

If you would like to get involved with the club committee or coaching then please speak to one of the team.

Becky McWass - Social Media guru and coach

I took up triathlon to raise money for charity, I thought how hard can it be, so entered Fritton Triple, a sprint, super sprint and Olympic triathlon over two days. I came last and won a Twix for my efforts as they ran out of medals. I decided to go back the following year, having not learnt my lesson and beat my time.. This was the start of the slippery slope and I’ve since taken part in half ironmans, Long Course Weekend in Wales and Mallorca and I’m the only lady to complete all 5 Outlaw races in one year. I decided to train as a coach as I noticed there was a gap for ‘value for money’ competitors in my old club, we didn’t really get long bike rides or runs as we were ‘slower’ so I decided to train and then I could take people out. I’m currently doing my Level 2 triathlon course and I’m a recent edition to the club having moved here last year. I’m a qualified Level 2 run coach and swim assistant and I’ve done many courses in disability sports and Strength and Conditioning. I love seeing people achieve things they never thought possible, whether that’s swimming a length front crawl for the first time or doing an ironman. 

Robin Dijkstra

Robin Dijkstra is our lovely Chairperson – Robin who has been a member of the club for 1.5 years.

Doing a Triathlon has always been on my “bucket list”. During the COVID period I got really “Un-Fit”. I picked up sports again, but wanted a new challenge. I learned about Plymouth Triathlon Club and did the taster sessions. What surprised me is that “The Club” made an individual sport feel like a ” Team sport”. The atmosphere in the club, the support and guidance of the coaches and the involvement of the members were all great and really motivating.

Bit about myself;

Sorry cant help it, but I am Dutch, could have been worse if I was born in Belgium.

We (my family and me) moved down to the UK in 2020 for my work. I work within the Royal Netherlands Marines Corps and am here on an exchange base. Besides me both of my kids are members of PTC and are enjoying the various training elements what the club is offering.

Upcoming races/events;

Looking forward to the Team Relays in Torbay in April. Last year we competed there twice and I think its a great event to race with other club members. Definitly doing this again! Who’s joining?

I signed up for a middle distance race in May and want to do 2 or 3 shorter triathlons throughout the year. Interested in a swim run… maybe..

Thank you all for your involvement in the club, and a special thanks to the coaches who make it possible for us to train week in, week out.

I will now hand over the “Snorkel” to Matt Searl and ask him to introduce himself to the club.

Justin Stanbrook

Meet the Committee – Introducing Justin our amazing race director.

“I took on the role in June last year, 2 months before last years race, we pulled it off, this year my challenge is to deliver a whole new race at a new venue, mount Edgcumbe, less than 5 months to go

I joined the club as I had done a few sprint triathlons but wanted to do a full distance event, the support I received from all of the coaches was amazing!

I’m also a junior coach and I love to help those at the very beginning of journey learn the basic skills

This year I won’t be doing any official events until after Mount Edgcumbe, but I will be going out regularly with mick Brian to support him in his quest to do 52 Olympic triathlons in 52 weeks for charity.”

John Best

Meet the committee continues….where would we be without our Money Man John….

So this is me. I started my tri journey in 2015 at age 41 with the Exmoor 70.3 Ironman.

No idea what I was doing. No idea what training to do and certainly no idea about nutrition. After a hateful event and feeling completely miserable I vowed never again.

I had taken swimming lessons and learned how to swim at least, although not great and that is still the case.

However after this I joined the Plymouth Tri club and took on Bolton Full ironman the following year and loved it.

The coaches and friends I have got to know and share adventures with has been brilliant. I have lifelong friends now and great memories.

I eventually got good enough to qualify for Age group GB and I am super proud of that achievement.

I am now a club coach and club treasurer for the past 6 years. My competitive days are probably over due to some spinal issue’s but I love trail running and will race again I am sure for the experience.

I love watching people develop and push themselves.

So many positives in this sport although maybe not for your bank balance.

Anyone ever want to quiz on anything Tri i am happy to help

Matt Searl

Meet Matt our webmaster expert…

I have been involved in Triathlon for over 20 years and completed many events from small Aquathlons to recently undertaking Ironman Lanzarote three times, with all the distances in between under my belt at some point during my sporting career. My main background sport was Swimming / Water Polo which I enjoyed for many years of my youth.

I was one of the founders of the Plymouth Triathlon Club, holding various positions i.e. Chairperson, Head Coach and now Webmaster.

I’m also one of the coaching team and love seeing people achieve…

Brendan Anderson

A short and sweet intro tonight to our Welfare Officer Brendan.

“I work in Special Education Needs and therefore I am very experienced in making sure all children are safeguarded. I ended up with the position in 2018 when I attended the AGM; I was only there to buy cheap kit… “

As a club with junior members as well as adults this is a really important role and we thank Brendan for continuing to take on this responsibility, we might even let him buy some kit next time.