Club Information

As one of East Anglia’s leading triathlon clubs, we aim to promote the sport of triathlon to all levels of athletes, whether beginner or expert, junior or ‘superveteran’.

No-one will be excluded and beginners and newcomers to the sport are especially welcome. In 2012 we had over 200 members of all ages spread over Suffolk, South Norfolk and Essex. They ranged from complete beginners - some still yet to do their first event - to athletes who have competed in world championships.

What can the club offer?

• Members-only swimming sessions are held on a Saturday morning at a local 25m pool during term time, with coaching available. During the summer holiday period, senior members have been able to use a private open water facility which has also been available one evening a week for most of the summer.

• Our weekly club night is Thursdays at Greshams in Ipswich, which is used as a base for shorter training sessions - typically run-training but also turbo-bricks and other sessions – usually followed by a chat in the bar afterwards. The club owns a small number of turbos mainly for use at these sessions but which can also be borrowed by members.

• We are affiliated to BT (British Triathlon) through Triathlon England. This means that members can get a discount off the full year subscription if they choose to join BT direct - for example to get an annual race licence. (Please check back with me if you cannot find our club listed on the Triathlon England or BT website.)

• We are linked to the Ipswich Cycling Association, which means members are able to compete in the ICA's summer series of mid-week evening time-trials (five & 10 mile).

• We are affiliated to UK Athletics through England Athletics. This allows us to enter the Suffolk County winter cross-country league. First claim members, once registered, also receive the England Athletics competition licence which serves as a club membership card, gets discounted entry to UK:A registered races and, for the time-being, a discount from Sweatshop.

• Affiliation to England Athletics often means we are able to be allocated two or three places in the Virgin London Marathon. These places are made available to members who have been rejected in the normal ballot and who have also met various criteria such as having marshalled at club events.

• Club kit is sold to members at cost, with members also receiving discount vouchers as part of their membership - in particular on fulfilling their marshalling obligations.

• As well as the UK:A arrangement with Sweatshop, discounts are often available from various other retailers. For example, during 2012 we have secured discounts for members shopping in person at some local shops and a club discount code for on-line shopping with Compressport UK.

• The club retains a club website for advertising club events such as the ever popular Culford triathlon but an increasing number of senior members are also regular users of a very active members-only "closed group" on Facebook.

• We have Club Championships with categories for juniors, seniors, veterans and supervets. The junior championships are decided by participation in a number of local activities including training sessions and events such as our own Junior Triathlon. The senior, vet & supervet championships are decided by performance within a club championship league, featuring a choice of eligible events from sprint to Ironman distance.

In addition to these club activities, individual members organise social and other events throughout the year, including ride-outs & yoga sessions.

What does membership cost?

For 2013 the subscriptions becomes:

• Senior (18 yrs & over) £20.00

• Family £30.00

• Junior (17 yrs and under) £5.00

Senior members must also provide help with one or more of our three "open" events: Culford, Framlingham junior, Duathlon (see below for dates).

The subscription fee includes affiliation to England Athletics for first claim senior members which will gain you an England Athletics competition licence. (Please note this is NOT a triathlon race licence, which you buy as part of entering an event. You can get a discounted annual licence through Triathlon England.)

You will receive £10 worth of club kit vouchers when you first join the club (max of £20 per family membership application), whilst members who renew promptly in January each year receive a £5 club kit voucher (max of £10 per family membership). Further vouchers are then given to members at the discretion of our Chairman and our event race directors as a "thank you" for helping out.

What events does the Club promote?

The Club promotes three events each year:

• a "sprint" triathlon held in July at Culford. For 2013 this is scheduled for Sunday 28th July.

• a Junior Triathlon for 8-16 year olds. Usually part of the Eastern Area series, this is scheduled to be held at Framlingham on Sunday 18th August 2013.

• an autumn duathlon (run/cycle/run). This is based at Alton Water and scheduled for Sunday 15th September 2013.

All profits are used to the benefit of the membership, and members will be expected to assist or provide an assistant for at least one of these events.

For more information on us go to the club website at http://www.ipswich-tri.org/ from where you can also download an olde application form if you'd rather join by post.