The UCLA Triathlon Team is an official club sport of the University of California, Los Angeles. We welcome athletes at all levels from beginner to elite, and help them reach their multisport goals. Although the team is student-run, you do not have to be a student to join. We encourage participation from both undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, alumni, and other members of the community. Again, all levels of experience are welcome, so stop by a workout and give it a try!
For the 2009 season, we introduced a tiered structure to the UCLA Triathlon Team. This structure helps our coaches design better training protocols and allocate their resources both during and after team workouts. See below for information on the specific tiers.
Check out our calendar to see a schedule of workouts for the season, but be aware in the event of a schedule change, the team may not be at the locations listed on the calendar. Gareth Thomas, our certified triathlon coach, puts on a variety of workouts throughout the year. Several of these include:
- Pool swimming
- Ocean swims and ocean entry/exit clinics
- Cycling and cycling skills clinics
- Interval workouts at the track
- Group runs, including trail running and hill repeats
- Numerous clinics - transition workshops, swim clinics, nutritional guidance, and much more!
Athletes in this tier want to be part of the team and do some training and racing without commitment to strict regimens. This is the stress-free way to stay in shape while in college. Joining the team can also be a great way to get motivated to get into or back into shape. Absolutely no experience is necessary, but veterans are always welcome. Note that all incoming members will begin in this tier and can apply within to higher levels of involvement.
Material benefits to joining the program include great discounts and free products from our sponsors. This is not available from any other triathlon organization in the LA area. No other team or program can match our free nutrition products and equipment loans, which include PowerBar products and complete bicycle builds from Orbea. More importantly, the program builds an unmatched camaraderie. We are a university-based student-centered team (from incoming freshmen to students seeking professional degrees), and we always have intense energy and enthusiasm for workouts, races, and celebrations.
Please come try us out if you are at all interested in being part of our program. For information on joining or to trying out a workout, click here.
The Performance Tier is for any team member who is committed to excellence in performance. Admittance into this tier is not based on athletic ability or talent but rather commitment to the team and our training schedule. This tier is for dedicated athletes who will attend nearly all training sessions and race a full season of events.
Benefits to joining this tier include:
- Preferred access to team funding for scientific training and race/travel expenses.
- Eligibility to represent and compete for the team at USAT Nationals.
- Deeper discount on sponsorship product and services.
- More precise and scientific coaching services
Entry to this tier will be by application to the coach, president, and other team officers. Information will be available starting in October, and the tier will be open for membership through the end of January 2009.
Triathlon is a relatively new sport and as such there are few resources for exceptionally talented young triathletes looking to develop their talent while also pursuing an education. The leadership and management of the UCLA Triathlon Team has realized this and launched the first-ever scholarship program for elite student-athletes. The performance of the program will be directed by our coach, Gareth Thomas. This program seeks young talented athletes who are interested in pursuing Triathlon to the highest level while simultaneously pursuing a first-rate education at UCLA.
The chosen athletes will be fully supported with personal scientific workout schedules, regular coached workouts, clinics, physiological testing, physical therapy, strength conditioning, technical development, race entries, and travel and equipment provision (for training and racing). These athletes will be required to meet specific performance benchmarks throughout the season and race a minimum number of key races in the area.
We are currently seeking athletes to be part of the 2010 scholarship program. Selection criteria is based on performance in each of the three sports. Undergraduate or graduate students who have been admitted to UCLA for the Fall 2009 school year may apply. Applicants should send a racing resume and a cover letter to Head Coach and Elite Program Director, Gareth Thomas by email at gareth@coachgareth.com by April 18th, 2009. Recipients will be notified no later than June 1, 2009.
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