FAQ
OUR CLUB
What will I gain by joining the Tri Club?
You'll get a way of developing your ability in each of the different areas of triathlon and a group of people to train and share your experience with. By joining us, you'll join people who are passionate about their sport. Your horizons will be expanded by meeting people who have years of experience of not only triathlon, duathlons, aquathons, rowathons, road, cross country and track running, but also mountain biking, cycle touring, orienteering, fell running, mountain marathons and adventure races.
In short, you'll experience real fitness.
Do I need to be an experienced triathlete ?
No. We welcome all abilities and our current members range from beginners through to internationals. Our swim sessions are not "learn to swim" courses, but if you can swim 100m continuously you should be fine on Mondays and Fridays. For Addiscombe cycling, we suggest you are able to ride for 2 hours. For running, if you can run for 30 minutes, you'll be able to manage both Tuesdays and Thurdays. If in doubt, please call us.
Am I really going to be able to do it?
Yes. You should have seen what I was like when I joined!
Is there a social aspect to the club?
Yes, definitely, it's not all work and no play! We do have an active social scene, which includes a friendly and very reasonably priced bar, open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Plus the club runs a series of social events during the year, more details here.
What's the link between you and South London Harriers running club?
We're the same club, just affiliated to a different organisation and with a different committee looking after it. If you're a member of South London Harriers, you're a member of SLH Tri Club and vice versa. So our runners can have a go at swimming or cycling whenever they want and our triathletes can (and do) enter our cross country and road races.
MEMBERSHIP
How do I join?
Details of how to join South London Harriers, and membership fees, are listed here. Membership covers both the running and triathlon sides of the club for a single fee.
Can I try you out before I join?
Yes. You're most welcome to join us for swim sessions at Caterham or running sessions at Coulsdon for six weeks while you decide whether or not to join us. Swim sessions cost £5 per session for non members, but the running sessions are free and you can join us in the bar afterwards to meet us.
The website gives different prices for membership (£35 and £45 for adults). Do I have to pay the higher rate to take part in triathlon?
No. The £35 membership fee for adults is all you need to join the club for triathlon. The extra £10 is for England Athletics membership, and although recommended for first claim members of the Club as it helps fund and develop athletics, it's not compulsory unless you want to compete in county, regional or national running championships.
Do I have to join the triathlon governing body on top of the club?
On the triathlon side we are governed by Triathlon England, and many of our members are also members of that body (£40 per year for SLH members, £51 per year for non-members). It's not compulsory to join them at all, but there are some benefits in doing so. More info here.
TRAINING
Do I need to book training sessions in advance?
Not normally, just turn up on the day. An exception is at Southwater where we need a minimum of 3 swimmers per session for safety reasons. Please do let a committee member know or post on the forum if you want to go and it's not clear that anyone else is going. Occasionally a message will be put up on the forum about an extra session and we may need to get an idea of numbers before the day.
Do I need to commit to a certain number of training sessions when I join?
No, you can train with us as often or as little as you want.
What are the training fees for members?
Swim sessions at Caterham pool cost £3.50 each session for members (£1.50 per session for juniors on Wednesday).
Swim sessions at Southwater cost £15 for the whole year and you get a free SLH swim hat as part of the cost.
Addiscombe cycle sessions are free to members of Addiscombe cycle club.
Run and brick sessions at Coulsdon are free to club members.
RACING
Do members have to race?
No, you can race as much or as little as you like, and in whichever races you choose. Some of our members don't race at all, some enjoy just the occasional race, whilst others have a busy race calendar. South London Harriers tri club has already made its mark in local and national events through some of our competing members.
Our triathlon schedule runs during the spring and summer, but from September through to March, there is also a full cross country race programme for men, women and juniors which some of our members enter.
Do you have to be up to a particular standard to race for the club?
No, anyone can race for us and will be made most welcome. We love to see people completing their first triathlon.
Do you enter any competitions?
Yes, we compete against other clubs in Greater London in the nine-event London League each season. We also race against clubs from across Surrey and Sussex in the Southwater Relay in September and against clubs from across the UK in the National Club Relay in Nottingham in August.
How do I enter club races?
You will need to enter the races yourself using the details set out on the individual event website. A list of the websites of the events that we're taking part in this year can be found on the Race Fixtures page. When you enter, make sure you put your club name as SLH Tri Club so that you are recognised as being part of the club on the results. That's especially important at London League races where there are team results produced.
How good's your team?
We're not a big club but we punch above our weight. To give an idea of recent form, in 2012 we finished 5th in the London League, and 7th in the corresponding mob match, out of about 30 clubs who entered. We beat a number of bigger and more expensive clubs, a testament some quality athletes here. SLH entrants won their age categories at a number of events during the year. We have several GB age groupers in the club and a group of Ironmen.
Am I going to look good in the club kit?
Oh yes.
