Over the last month both the National Triathlon Performance Centre Wales (NTPCW) and Welsh Academy Program have been taking part in camps.

The NTPCW athletes have just arrived back from their warm-weather training camp, having been out in Portugal for three weeks racking up some sunny miles in preparation for the 2022 season. A total of 14 athletes from the centre took part in the camp, with 2022 Commonwealth Games Paratriathlon hopeful Rhys Jones and his guide Rhys James also joining the group.

After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic the group returned to Vilamoura with the view of putting in a big block of training in more favourable weather conditions than the UK to give themselves a pre-season fitness boost. The camp was also a great opportunity to work with the coaching team and support staff to develop their individual plans for the crucial training block through to the start of the race season.

The athletes put in back to back 20-30hr training weeks, clocking up 100+km rides in the hills over Malhao, and 15-20km runs around the beautiful salt flats at Quinta do Lago. The weather was certainly an improvement on the UK, with temperatures a constant, sunny 16-20°C throughout the block, except for a huge downpour on the last ride, where the boys group were grateful for the tow from the pair on the tandem to get them home quicker! It was the perfect venue to get some quality work done without any distractions, and always provides plenty of opportunities for people to learn and develop from each other by spending an extended period in close proximity.

In addition to their training athletes took over the @ntpcwales Instagram page at various points to provide an insight to camp life from the athlete’s perspectives.

Welsh Triathlon’s Performance Coach Luke Watson had this to say about the camp:

“Its been a really successful three weeks. Everyone has come away from the camp having put in a consistent block of training setting them up for the early season races. It has also been a great opportunity for our newer squad members to experience a full time training environment and learn from the more senior athletes within the group.”

It wasn’t just the NTPCW who have been on camp, youth & junior athletes on the Welsh Triathlon Academy Program (WTAP) took part in their second camp of the academy year in Bath.

The four-day residential camp in Bath was focused on supporting athletes develop their technical swim skills in the pool in preparation for the upcoming season. In addition to the physical session’s athletes took part in a nutrition workshop and mental health and resilience workshop.

Many of the camps attendees will now be turning their attention to the British Youth & Junior Super Series which kicks of with the Performance Assessments in April.

Welsh Triathlon Development Coach Vicky shared her reflections on the camp.

“It was really good to see the squad back together again along with a few new faces. We made some great progress around the open water specific technical elements and the athletes really engaged with everything we did. I would like to say a big thank you to British Modern Pentathlon who invited us to use their lanes at Bath University for a number of sessions as well as Rhys Thomas, Ray Morgan and Kevin Mulford who all helped me with the delivery of the camp.”

With the triathlon race season fast approaching camps such as these are crucial in supporting our athletes to reach their potential. Welsh Triathlon Head of Performance had this to say.

“It’s really exciting to get back to delivering these kinds of camps. Whether its supporting senior athletes in Portugal working towards CWG nomination, or inspiring and educating the next generation of athletes, myself, the coaches, and the wider support team thrive on helping athletes reach their goals. There is a real excitement and momentum around the Welsh Performance program at the moment. Whilst triathlon is an individual sport, it’s the team-based environments that really enable individuals to thrive.”

If you would like to keep up to date with NTCPW squad via social media, you can follow them on Instagram @ntpcwales.

Information relating to the Welsh Triathlon Academy can be found HERE.