At the end of July Youth, TS3, TS2 and TS1 athletes gathered together for the annual training camp.

On Thursday 27th July a group of 45, Youth,  TS3 and TS2 athletes gathered for the annual South Central Triathlon Training camp at Shennington Go-kart track near Banbury. 

This was the first time we have used this venue and had a fantastic time practising dead turns, mount/dismount, pack riding and cumulated in a very competitive but great fun Omnium race. In the omnium they loved working and racing together and trying to jostle for position to prevent being eliminated. We were blessed by blue skies and sunshine throughout the day.

At 2pm we packed up and moved to our permanent site at the wonderful Sibford School fast becoming the Triathlon Mecca for South Central. This is an outstanding school with all the facilities on campus for the triathletes to use. We made full use of the site and 25m indoor swimming pool. Sibford school was then our home for two days, training, eating, camping, BBQ’ing and having fun together. 

On Friday we were joined by 26 TS1 athletes. This is the first time the younger athletes have come to the camp and they enjoyed mock velodrome sessions, transition practice, open water skills, running sessions etc etc. The older athletes continued to train doing a bike and running session, completing a orienteering and treasure hunt course and cumulating in a water polo match which was the perfect end to a hot busy day. 

Friday night was a chance to have a parents and children girls v boys rounders match followed by the pizza van arriving to provide supper to all the campers. The end to a great day. 

On Saturday, we hired the Wood Green leisure centre in Banbury and enjoyed swimming in the open air 50m pool practising our running dive starts.  It was then time to say goodbye and look forward to seeing each other at the next competition or event. 

The focus behind the camp is to build relationships between the athletes and their families and to enjoy training together in a non competitive environment. By building these relationships South Central is stronger when it comes to racing together. The more we support these children the higher the standard will continue to be in South Central. 

Huge thank you to all the coaches that stepped forward to help support me at the camp. Your support will build a brighter future for these children and I cannot thank you enough for all your commitment and time. The sessions you planned and delivered were of exceptionally high standard and I know were enjoyed by all the children.

Thank you also to Graham at Shennington Go-Kart track and Ali at Sibford school for letting us hire their outstanding venues. Without your support none of the camp would be possible. 

The venues are booked for next year - the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd August. Make sure you are free and can join us. You are guaranteed to have fun and make new triathlon friends. 

Hester Pollock