Triathlon Squads 2013-2014 applications are now open
If you would like to know more about the squads or how to apply please read on.
Applications to join the 2013-2014 Serpentine Triathlon Squads are now open. If you would like to know more about the squads or how to apply please read on.
There will be five squads next season: women's and men's novice, a mixed improvers' squad, a performance squad and a long distance squad.
All squads are targeting individuals who are looking to commit to a full season of triathlon training and racing as their athletic goal and specifically:
The novice squad is suitable for individuals who have not yet completed a triathlon or who have completed a triathlon, but perhaps did so without any structured training, and are looking to train for, and race, either Sprint or Olympic distance in 2014.
The improvers' squad is suitable for triathletes who have completed one or more seasons of training and racing and are looking to train for, and race, Olympic distance in 2014. If you are thinking of racing middle distance late in the season this is also the squad for you.
The performance squad is for highly motivated triathletes who are looking to achieve maximum performance gains targeting Sprint or Olympic distance races and qualifying events for ETU and ITU age group championships races in 2014.
The long distance squad is for triathletes who have completed 2 or more seasons of training and racing and are targeting either Ironman Germany or Ironman Austria in 2014. Please note you must have a confirmed entry for one of these races before being considered for the squad. Entries are currently available via Nirvana Travel.
If you are unsure of which squad to apply for choose one and we'll talk amongst ourselves to select the most appropriate squads for you. Please note the squads are not suitable for those that intend to run a spring marathon. The coaching and training we provide is not compatible with marathon training.
Applications to join close on Sunday 3rd November. Once you have applied there will be an initial meeting on Wednesday 13th November at 19:00 (venue tbc) between the coaches and triathletes so we can meet you and you can ask questions to find out more about the squads.
Cost for the squads for the whole year is approx £240 payable in 2 instalments. The first instalment of approximately £160 is payable after the initial meeting and confirms your acceptance on the squads. The second of approximately £80 is payable in March 2014. Please note these costs are approximates as we are still planning your season and have yet to confirm all costs. Your coaches receive no payment for the coaching services provided and the payment is to cover all swim costs (pool and open water sessions), a swim video analysis, the spin studio and the services of a sports psychologist etc. Payment must be received no later than Sunday 1st December as squad coaching starts week commencing Monday 2nd December.
Your coaching team for the year consist of:
Beate Vogt – BTF level 3 - heading up the womens novice squad
Claire Strong – BTF level 2 – assisting with the women's novice squad
Jen Nel – BTF level 1 - assisting with the womens novice squad
Chris Langley-Waylen – BFT level 2 - heading up the men's novice squad
Rosh Karunaratne - BTF level 1 – assisting with the men's novice squad
Stefano Pardi - BTF level 1 – assisting with the men's novice squad
John Lund – BTF level 2 – heading up the mixed intermediate squad
Margaret Sills – BTF level 3 – assisting with the intermediate squad
Steve Anyon – BTF Level 2 – heading up the performance squad
Will Jones – BTF level 2 – assisting with the performance squad
Alex Elferink – BTF level 2 - heading up the long distance squad
Ludovica Bruno – BTF level 1 – assisting with the long distance squad
Kamlesh Parmar – BTF level 1 – assisting all squads and focusing on spin and cycling
Ben Cope – BTF level 2 – assisting all squad
Kristin Duffy – BTF level 2 – assisting all squad
Vicky Edmonds – BTF level 1 – assisting all squad
Also note that although we have allocated coaches to squads and disciplines your may receive coaching at some point from any of the above in any of the disciplines at we operate in a fluid manner. Further information on these coaches can be found on the Serpentine website.
So what's involved in the squads?
You will receive 2 to 4 coached sessions per week in total from December through to July in the three triathlon disciplines. Each squad will receive 1 coached swim session and 1 coached bike spin session exclusive to the squads as well as 1 coached run session each week. There will also be adhoc weekend coached sessions covering cycle skills, group riding, transitions and run technique. You'll train mostly with your squad though we'll mix up squads were necessary to balance the skill level.
You will also receive a swim video analysis, feedback and a DVD of your swim stroke. In the summer there will be open water swim coaching. We have also booked a sports psychologist and a nutritionist to help you with this side of the sport. There are other things that are still in the planning stage that we'll be able to confirm at the initial meeting.
There will also be theory sessions such as goal setting and helping you to understand concepts such at periodization of training, volume, intensity, frequency and duration of training. We'll give you the tools to help you construct your own training plan. Please note we will not actually write the plan for you but will give you feedback on the plan you have written yourself using the tools we give you.
Please note it's not first come first served so take time with your application and give as much detail as possible.
To apply for the squads please send an email stating:
1. your name and age
2. which squad you are applying for
3. your swim background including time for 400m if known
4. your cycle background
5. your run background including time for 5/10km if known
6. your triathlon background if any
7. your season goal if known
8. any races you have entered or are thinking of entering
9. why you want to join the squads
Send to:
beate@serpentine.org.uk for the women's beginner squad
chris@impactpersonaltraining.co.uk for the men's beginner squad
lundjo@gmail.com for the mixed improvers' squad
steve.anyon@macquarie.com for the performance squad
alex_elferink@yahoo.co.uk for the long distance squad
If you have any questions regarding the Tri Squad please email tri-coach-liaison@serpentine.org.uk
Alex Elferink
Submitted: 14 October 2013