Welcome to the Blackwater Triathlon Club! We understand that starting a triathlon can seem daunting, but we’re here to assure you that it’s an incredibly rewarding journey, and you’ve found the right place to begin. Our club is a small, friendly community based in Maldon, Essex, home to members ranging from hardened triathlon veterans to complete novices, competing in everything from Junior TriStart to Ironmans. We pride ourselves on offering a supportive and encouraging environment for athletes of all levels.

One of the biggest myths that often discourages first timers is the belief that you need an expensive, high-tech bike. We’re here to bust that myth! You absolutely do not need a £5,000+ bike. Most working bikes, powered by your legs and equipped with brakes, are British Triathlon compliant and will get you to the finish line. Whether you have a road bike, a hybrid, or even one that’s been hanging in your garage, you’ll crush it on the bike you already own. The goal for your first race is simple: cross that finish line, and no upgrade is required to achieve that.

We would love to have you join us! All new members are welcome to enjoy 2 free trial sessions before needing to officially join, so there’s nothing to lose!

The Blackwater Triathlon Club offers a comprehensive range of training options to support you through the swim, bike, and run disciplines:

Swimming

• We offer regular weekly pool-based sessions at the Blackwater Leisure Centre.
• You can choose between a Monthly Membership Swim subscription, allowing flexibility to adjust between 1, 2, or 3 swims per week, or Single Pool Swim sessions for ad-hoc attendance or as a top-up.
• Coached Pool Swims for adults are available on Tuesdays (7pm to 8pm), Thursdays (7pm to 8pm), and Sundays (7:30am to 8:30am, with no coaching on the first Sunday due to training events). Juniors also have a coached pool swim on Thursdays (6pm to 7pm).
• During warmer months, we have Open Water Lake Swims. For adults, these run from mid-April/May to end September (7:30am to 9am) and a winter version from October to May (8am to 9am). Juniors have their open water lake swims from end May/June to end September (8:00am to 9am).
• Our experienced Swim Coaches, provide guidance and may ask you to use specific pool equipment like kickboards or pull buoys to improve your technique; the club even has some spares available. They can also help explain key swimming terms and techniques like Entry, Catch, Pull/Finish, Recovery, and Rotation, as well as skill-specific training drills, kick, pull, and streamline.

Cycling

• We have Social Club Rides that meet at Blackwater Leisure Centre on the second Sunday of the month at 8:55am.
• Members can also access a Closed Road Cycle Circuit at Colchester Sports Park during the summer for coached training or own laps.

Running

• Join us for the Maldon Parkrun every Saturday at 9am, meeting at Maldon Prom at the Twinning Links.
• There are also Social Club Runs that meet at Blackwater Leisure Centre on the last Sunday of the month at 8:55am.

Combined/Multisport Training

• We offer Transition Training at Maldon Prom during Spring/Autumn.
• Throughout the year, we run regular training events from the leisure centre and the lake, including Aquathlons through the winter and Triathlons in the summer.
• Open Water Lake Aquathlons take place on the third Saturday of the month during summer, with distances like ~800m Swim, 5k Run for adults and ~400m Swim, 5k Run for juniors.
• Pool Aquathlons / Triathlons are held on the first Sunday of the month.
• We also host a Charity Triathlon each year, which is a fun, friendly event perfect for both first timers and experienced competitors.

Our club aims to foster a strong community where members meet new friends, train together, share tips and tricks, and celebrate each other’s successes. Don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our club members or committee if you have any questions. Welcome aboard!