Coaches Corner.

Anthony Isaac (Chairman, Level 1 Coach)

Since retiring after many years of playing and coaching rugby union I decided to go and watch the Wales Ironman in Tenby in 2014. It inspired me so much I thought I must try and complete this. After getting home from the event that same night I decided I was going to book up for it for the following year. I was 22 stone at this point of my life, very unfit and not able to swim so “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE”.

This is when my love for triathlon was brought to light. I completed the Ironman in Wales in 2015 & 2016 and then went on to completing Ironman Barcelona in 2017. My first triathlon event was a sprint triathlon in Llanelli where my journey began. Since then I have done numerous sprint triathlons, half Ironman distance triathlons and many cycling events including time trial races.

I had planned to complete 5 full distance Ironman events, before I reached the age of 50.

I was a member of a local Cycle Club early last year in which I found myself helping others along their journey, rather than concentrating on my own cycling/training needs. I get a great feeling of being able to help and assist others on accomplishing their goals. This is when I spoke to Helen and said I’m going to try and start a Triathlon Club to pass on my experience and knowledge to help other people achieve their goals, but first I need some help. I then rang David Joey Howland and Chris Bluck to see if they would be interested in starting up a Triathlon Club so collectively, we could pass off our knowledge and experience, thankfully they all agreed.

So we began the journey of Pen y Bont Triathlon Club.

I was amazed by the response we had after starting the club and never envisaged that we would be where we are today. It has been a truly amazing start to what I hope will be a club where people can join and achieve their goals in the confidence that we will all as Coaches and Triathlon club do our utmost to assist each and every one of you on your own personal journey on whatever you are striving to achieve. I have recently completed my Welsh Triathlon level 1 coaching course.

Final words from me “Follow your dreams, anything is possible”. “UP THE BONT”

Aaron Davies (Vice Chairman, L2 Triathlon Coach)

Hi my name is Aaron. I have been with the Club since Day 1 and have loved every minute of it. It was the Help and Encouragement I got from the Coaches and Members that enabled me to complete Ironman Wales 2019.

Now I am here as a Coach to help you all achieve your goals however big or small!!! Look forward to seeing you cross the finishing line.

Clare Hughes (Level 2 Coach)

I have been a member of Pen-y-bont triathlon club since the club founded in 2018. From that time the club has grown exponentially. I think one of the main reasons for its growth and success is because of the dedication of the coaches and the passion they have for the sport. Everyone in the club is extremely friendly and accommodating.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved to run. Over the last 30 years I have competed in many races from 5km to marathons. I even managed to qualify for London marathon with a ‘good for age’ time! My running background has given me a wealth of experience in this aspect of triathlon.

I recently qualified as a level 1 triathlon coach. The reason I became a coach is because I want to give something back to the triathlon community and help others of ALL abilities fulfil their goals and dreams.

My main focus as a coach is to help members train wisely, develop as a triathlete, be inclusive and give members the best possible experience on their triathlon journey.

Collectively as a team of coaches within Pen-y-bont triathlon club we will fine tune your strengths and steer you through your weaknesses.

I can’t wait to see you smash your goals and achieve your dreams x

Stephen Bassett (Level 2 Diploma Coach)

Stephen “Bertie” Bassett is a WTA level 2A diploma certified triathlon coach and event organiser. He has been involved for over ten years and in that time has completed 9 Ironman events in Wales, France and Spain. He has also lost count of the numerous endurance bike and running events he has participated in over the years. Stephen sees triathlon as a lifestyle that allows him to enjoy life.

Evan John (Level 1 Coach)

Sports background: From a young age I have always been quite athletic and enjoyed participating in any sport I had the opportunity to. Rugby being my first choice of sport. I played for Llanahran. I also played cricket for Glamorgan county, and then enjoyed the occasional run.

I started triathlon in 2017

I decided to start triathlon because rugby came with far too many injuries.

In 2019 I crossed that red carpet in Tenby and became an Ironman, the best feeling ever. I want to help others to have that same feeling I did, whether their goal is a sprint/olympic/middle or full, I want to share my experience and what I have learnt on my journey and pass it on to the other club members so that they can also accomplish their goals.

I am now a Level 1 triathlon coach

Alun Wood (Level 1 Coach)

I have been competing in triathlon since 2008 and before that belonged to local running clubs racing all distances from 5K up to marathon. During my triathlon career I have enjoyed competing in age group racing and attempting to qualify for GB age-group teams (I have managed this three times), and have raced at all distances from sprint to full distance, having recently completed Ironman Wales in September 2023.

I joined Pen Y Bont Triathlon club in September 2019 and it really took my triathlon performance to the next level. Whilst confident in what I need to do to make me a better runner, I had far less knowledge of swimming and cycling performance. The coaches at the club have been fundamental in guiding me and developing my performance levels in all 3 disciplines.

I recently completed my Briitish Triathlon Foundation Coach qualification, and am enjoying putting what I have learnt into practice. It is inspirational to see athletes that I am coaching making progress and that they have an understanding and appreciation of the purpose of their training. It is a challenge designing sessions that cater for all abilities and peoples’ triathlon aspirations, and this is one of the elements that makes our club so open, inclusive and welcoming.

Whilst I am very much in the infancy of my coaching career, one of my goals is to encourage longevity in the sport for athletes in the club. I would like to see club members not only enjoying the sport currently, but continuing to do so long into the future, so they can get as much out of the sport as I have done.

Caroline Rees Level 1 Coach & Level 2 STA open water Coach

Hi my name is Caroline and I am a British Tri Level 1 coach and an STA Open Water Swimming Level 2 qualified instructor. As a youngster I grew up in mid Wales and was a member of my local swimming club. I also took part in cross country, athletics, netball, and hockey. I have always been active and started triathlon about 5 years ago. I have taken part in Tenby’s Long Course Weekend and completed several sprint tri’s.

I coached open water swimmers as part of the Swim Smooth Wales team and was lucky enough to test out the slip to slip event by swimming from Ogmore by Sea to Coney beach. A recent injury has meant that I have taken a step back from running and road cycling preferring to focus on my swimming and bimbling around the countryside on my mountain bike.

I joined Pen Y Bont Tri club about a year ago and was immediately welcomed by the members. With my previous experience of coaching I am looking forward to contributing to helping members improve, and achieve their goals.

I get a buzz from seeing someone have a ‘light bulb’ moment when something clicks.

My motto in life is: feel the fear, and do it anyway.

Laura Butcher - Level 1 Coach

My Love of sport began early when I started club swimming aged 6 & I eventually progressed to competing at national level. I took up running in 2015 & I’m also an ice hockey player. I quit swimming prior to heading to University & didn’t swim for 21 years until I joined Pen-y-Bont Triathlon Club. I watched a friend compete at Ironman Wales in 2019 & I was so inspired that I joined PYBTC 2 weeks later, not knowing anything about triathlon or owning a bike.

In 2020 I fell off my bike breaking my collarbone, which saved my life as 10 months later in July 2021 aged 39 I was diagnosed with advanced stage Rectal (Bowel) Cancer. I never would’ve discovered this if I hadn’t had the accident. I endured 18months of IVF; radiotherapy; chemotherapy and 2 major operations including fitting & reversing a temporary stoma.

I trained for 3 years straight and had to postpone all my races due to the pandemic & Cancer. In September 2022, a week before my 2nd Cancer operation, I finally did my first triathlon where I got 1st place in the swim & 8th place overall. After recovering from my next operation, in May 2023 I raced at Tata Steel Tri where I gained 1st place in the (non-elite) female swim. In July 2023 I went on to achieve 1st place in AG in the Long Course Weekend swim (4th overall). Two weeks later at my first Ironman 70.3 I got 1st place in AG in the swim & overall time of 6hrs 28mins (my goal was 6:30); and 6 days later still fatigued from Ironman Swansea I became the Welsh AG Aquathlon champion. In September 2023, less than a year after my first Tri, I qualified for Team GB AG Triathlon – I will be competing at the World Championships in Spain in October 2024. Also in February 2024 (whilst doing everything backwards), I qualified for Tîm Tri Cymru (Wales Triathlon Team) & will be competing at the British Triathlon Championships in July, the week after Ironman 70.3

The people who supported me the most during my Cancer journey were members of PYBTC, they took me to activate run sessions; watch sea swims; took me for coffee; visited me in hospital and helped me to regain some form of ‘normality’. Training throughout my Cancer treatments & seeing club members kept me sane during my very dark days, I don’t think I would’ve got through it without the club. The club is essentially why I became a British Tri coach in 2023 - triathlon essentially saved my life & I owe everything to this amazing close-knit club & the kindness & support they’ve shown me. I wanted to repay the favour by becoming a coach to help others reach their potential – watching them improve & thrive weekly is so satisfying, and watching the joy on their faces going over that finish line, is priceless.

Life tip - Do one thing every day that scares you & confront your fears head on!