Tri Wellington

31/05/2026

King’s Birthday Weekend? More like a King Debut Season 👑🏊🚴🏃

This long weekend we’re celebrating 1 of our newest Tri Wellington youth legends, Mason Kyle.

Mason is also a recipient of the Tri Wellington Youth Fund, made possible by this incredible community. Every donation, every fundraiser, every bit of support helps young athletes get to races, gain experience, & discover what’s possible.

And what a first season it’s been! From the pool deck to the triathlon start line…from Splash n Dash to Secondary Schools…frm “let’s give this a go” to standing on the podium.

Not bad for a rookie season.

Mason’s Race Report:

This season I competed in my first year of triathlon, & I couldn’t be happier with how it went.

I started by entering several events in the Splash n Dash series, where I really found my feet. The 400m swim was my favourite distance, & I was fortunate to win each time I raced it. Coming from a swimming & water polo background, I’ve always felt most confident in the water.

Later in the season, I decided to step up & enter my first full triathlon at the Wellington Secondary Schools event held at Scorching Bay.

I surprised myself by coming out of the water in 1st place, which was an awesome start. After a quick transition, I got onto the bike & worked hard to stay competitive, coming back into transition in 2nd place. I gave everything I had on the run & crossed the line in 3rd place overall.

I’m really proud of that result, especially in my first season in the sport. It’s given me a lot of confidence & motivation moving forward.

One of my biggest takeaways is that I want to focus more on improving my cycling. Over the off-season, I’ll be working on my cross country running & continuing with water polo, which I know will help build my overall strength & endurance.

I’d also like to thank Tri Wellington for their support & guidance throughout the season. A special thanks to Deb & Sierra for the training day in Wellington. It was a really valuable experience heading into nationals.

***

1st season. 1st full triathlon. 3rd overall.

That’s a seriously impressive effort.

We love Mason’s willingness to learn. He knows where his strengths are (that swim 👀), but he’s already looking ahead to how he can improve his cycling & become a more complete athlete. That’s the sort of mindset that takes athletes a long way.

And let’s be honest… having older brother Casey setting the pace probably doesn’t hurt either! The Kyle brothers have been absolutely giving it heaps this season & have become a big part of the Tri Welly community.

We’ll see you back soon, season 26/27.

30/05/2026

It was the mintiest of mint Wellington days for a long Tri Club ride up to the Paekākāriki lookout and then on to the Ground up cafe and dairy in Pāuatahanui for a well deserved ☕️ and 🥧. We won’t mention the 5 punctures along the way (actually, the video starts with the 5 punctures and moves on pretty quickly to the mintiest of mint Wellington days for a long ride up to the Paekākāriki lookout and then on to the Ground up cafe and dairy in Pāuatahanui for a well deserved ☕️ and 🥧).

29/05/2026

🙌 Big congrats to Nic Hankinson who has been selected to the Triathlon New Zealand Board - a well deserved appointment! Go Nic!!

A new President, a financial surplus and growing momentum across the sport.

Tri NZ’s 42nd AGM Saturday painted a picture of a federation building strongly from grassroots participation to LA 2028 and beyond.

Full story in the comments ⬇️

20/05/2026

🌧️🏃🚴 Big shout out to Casey Kyle, one of our recipients of the Tri Wellington Youth Fund for 25/26. This fund exists because of the incredible TriWelly community helping young athletes get to races, gain experience, & keep chasing big goals.

And this is exactly why it matters…

Because sometimes races don’t go to plan…
sometimes the weather turns to 👖 …
sometimes your transitions absolutely betray you 😅. But the best athletes adapt, dig deep, & carry on.

***
Casey’s Race Report – Tauranga 2026:

After a very wet Nationals, we decided to stay on in Tauranga & line up for Marra. Due to the conditions, the race was changed to a duathlon, definitely something different!

Running is my strongest leg, so I was happy to come out of the first run in the front pack. I had a solid T1 & got onto the bike with the chase group, which is a big step forward for me this season as I’ve been working hard on my cycling. We worked well together & brought it home strongly.

Unfortunately, my T2 didn’t go to plan, my shoes were too tight after the first run, which cost me some time. That said, I backed myself on the final run, made up ground, & picked people off to finish with one of my best races of the season.

I ended up 2nd in the U19 category & 3rd overall, which also meant taking home some prize money.

A key takeaway for me is to be better organised in transition, small details make a big difference.

Now that the season is wrapped up, I’m shifting focus to cross country running, & I’ve just picked up an indoor trainer to keep building through winter.

Huge 🙏 to Tri Wellington for their continued support & guidance, it makes a massive difference.

***
2nd U19. 3rd overall. In brutal conditions.

Love this mindset from Casey. Honest reflections, learning from the details, & backing himself when it counted.

Massive congrats Casey.

Big ups also to Casey’s brother Mason, who has absolutely been giving it heaps all season too. Awesome seeing both brothers putting in the mahi, racing hard, supporting each other, & being a big part of the Tri Welly youth crew. The future is looking strong as 🙌

16/05/2026

Please, we need your nominations for any members you think deserve to be in the categories below!!! There are heaps of deserving members! Nominate away!

Please send your nominations via email to [email protected] with the subject line “nomination” & detail who you are nominated along with what category (mentioned below). Nominations close on May 24th.

1. Photo of the Year:

We are so lucky to have the regular attendance of photographers at our events, it is almost the 4th discipline of triathlon now, swim/bike/run then check the race photos. You do not have to be a professional photographer by any means just submit your photo to us here. Try to capture the spirit and energy of triathlon. Images should be in focus (unless deliberately blurred, like panning) and well composed. Wellington events only (Barefoot, Splash and Dash, Kapiti Women’s). We will cull if necessary and the final vote will be by you the viewing public.

2. Dave Scott Bowl – Meritorious Performance at an Iron Distance Event

The Dave Scott Bowl is a trophy that was awarded to Dave Scott for one of his victories in the Waikiki Rough Water Swim. This 2.5 mile open water swim is one of the individual events that were combined to create the original Hawaii Ironman (the others being the round Oahu Bike Ride (112 miles) and the Honolulu Marathon). It was presented to the club as an award for the club member who best demonstrates the “Ironman spirit” in their performance. Note that meritorious performance does not necessarily mean the club member with the fastest time but takes into account other circumstances that relate to the individual being nominated.

3. Hard Luck Award

An individual who has been unable to perform to their expectations because of circumstances (generally) beyond their control. If the person who has suffered more than one instance of ‘bad luck’ then that that will increase their prospects of receiving the award!

4. Best 1st Year Triathlete

This award is intended to recognise an individual who took part in their first ever triathlon during 25/26.

5. Most Improved Athlete

This award is intended to highlight individuals whose performance(s) during 2025/26 showed significant improvements compared to previous years.

6. All-Rounder of the Year

This award recognises an individual who has performed creditably at multisport event(s) including duathlons, Xterra style off-road triathlons and adventure racing.

7. Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises an individual or individuals who commit a significant amount of their time in an unpaid capacity to help further the sport and support others to achieve their triathlon goals.

8. The “Fork Up” Award

This award recognises an individual who has been the architect of their own downfall! Also known as the Turner Prize.

9. Sam Raphael Trophy

This prestigious award is named after one of the Club’s original high-performing triathletes. Sam was killed while out riding on Saturday 20 February 1999. He was training for the Ironman at Taupō. Sam supported a large range of national and local races and raced them at a very competitive level, but always with an element of cheek and irreverence. Nominations should be those for who triathlon is a big part of their world, are highly competitive in events, support local races, as well as race around the country or internationally, and do so with a great attitude of fun and enthusiasm. They will be the kind of person who inspires and motivates others with their passion, commitment and endeavour.

Please send your nominations via email with the subject line “nomination” and detail who you are nominated along with what category (mentioned below). Nominations should be emailed to [email protected]. Nominations close on May 24th.

Happy nominating!

10/05/2026

🏆 Tri Wellington Prize Giving 2026 🏆

Lock it in. The annual Tri Wellington prize giving extravaganza is happening on Sunday 5 July at the Toitu Poneke Hub in Kilbirnie. Ticket link below 👇

Doors open from 1:30pm, awards kick off at 2pm sharp, and this year as well as celebrating you, we’ve got a seriously legendary guest speaker joining us… 🌊

Jono Ridler is an endurance swimmer, ocean advocate, and founder of Swim4TheOcean. In 2026, Jono completed the longest unassisted staged swim ever done anywhere in the world. Swimming the entire length of New Zealand’s North Island from North Cape to Wellington over 90 days. Nearly 1,400km. No wetsuit. No performance aids. Just absolute grit, determination, and a massive mission to raise awareness for ocean health.

This is going to be an epic afternoon celebrating the people, stories, volunteers, athletes, chaos, commitment, and community that make Tri Wellington what it is 💛

🎟 Get in early as space will be limited - ticket link 🔗: https://events.mygameday.app/event/prizegiving
📍 Toitu Poneke Hub, Kilbirnie
📅 Sunday 5 July 2026
Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cb3ApYMSD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🏅 We also need your award nominations Details here 🔗: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Y2oQe4dr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Grab your tickets, nominate your legends, and come celebrate another huge season with the Tri Wellington crew. 💛🖤

07/05/2026

We need your nominations!

We have details of the Tri Wellington Club awards coming out very soon (it will be epic), but in the meantime we need your nominations for any members you think deserve to be in the categories below!!!

Please send your nominations via email with the subject line “nomination” and detail who you are nominated along with what category (mentioned below). Nominations should be emailed to [email protected]. Nominations close on May 24th.

There are nine awards you can send suggestions for below:

1. Photo of the Year:

We are so lucky to have the regular attendance of photographers at our events, it is almost the 4th discipline of triathlon now, swim/bike/run then check the race photos. You do not have to be a professional photographer by any means just submit your photo to us here. Try to capture the spirit and energy of triathlon. Images should be in focus (unless deliberately blurred, like panning) and well composed. Wellington events only (Barefoot, Splash and Dash, Kapiti Women's). We will cull if necessary and the final vote will be by you the viewing public.

2. Dave Scott Bowl – Meritorious Performance at an Iron Distance Event

The Dave Scott Bowl is a trophy that was awarded to Dave Scott for one of his victories in the Waikiki Rough Water Swim. This 2.5 mile open water swim is one of the individual events that were combined to create the original Hawaii Ironman (the others being the round Oahu Bike Ride (112 miles) and the Honolulu Marathon). It was presented to the club as an award for the club member who best demonstrates the “Ironman spirit” in their performance. Note that meritorious performance does not necessarily mean the club member with the fastest time but takes into account other circumstances that relate to the individual being nominated.

3. Hard Luck Award

An individual who has been unable to perform to their expectations because of circumstances (generally) beyond their control. If the person who has suffered more than one instance of ‘bad luck’ then that that will increase their prospects of receiving the award!

4. Best First Year Triathlete

This award is intended to recognise an individual who took part in their first ever triathlon during 2025/26

5. Most Improved Athlete

This award is intended to highlight individuals whose performance(s) during 2025/26 showed significant improvements compared to previous years.

6. All-Rounder of the Year

This award recognises an individual who has performed creditably at multisport event(s) including duathlons, Xterra style off-road triathlons and adventure racing.

7. Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises an individual or individuals who commit a significant amount of their time in an unpaid capacity to help further the sport and support others to achieve their triathlon goals.

8. The “Fork Up” Award

This award recognises an individual who has been the architect of their own downfall! Also known as the Turner Prize.

9. Sam Raphael Trophy

This prestigious award is named after one of the Club’s original high-performing triathletes. Sam was killed while out riding on Saturday 20 February 1999. He was training for the Ironman at Taupō. Sam supported a large range of national and local races and raced them at a very competitive level, but always with an element of cheek and irreverence. Nominations should be those for who triathlon is a big part of their world, are highly competitive in events, support local races, as well as race around the country or internationally, and do so with a great attitude of fun and enthusiasm. They will be the kind of person who inspires and motivates others with their passion, commitment and endeavour.

Please send your nominations via email with the subject line “nomination” and detail who you are nominated along with what category (mentioned below). Nominations should be emailed to [email protected]. Nominations close on May 24th.

Happy nominating!

05/05/2026

From sideways rain to showing up anyway 💨🌊

Huge shout out to Emily Robbie, one of our Tri Wellington Youth Squad legends and a recipient of the Tri Wellington Youth Fund. A fund powered by this awesome community, helping remove barriers so our young athletes can get to races, gain experience, and keep progressing.

This is exactly why we do it 💛

From windy swims…
to soaking wet transitions…
to adapting when things don’t go to plan…
to still getting stuck in and racing anyway.

That’s TriWelly energy.

Emily’s Race Report – Secondary Schools Triathlon Champs 2026:

I wanted to share a quick update from the Secondary Schools Triathlon 2026 a couple of months back and say thank you for your continued support.

Unfortunately, the triathlon event was cancelled due to challenging weather and water conditions. While that was disappointing, I still had the opportunity to compete in the open water swim, where I placed 5th overall. I was really pleased with this result, and it was a great chance to test my swimming in a race environment.

Despite the change in plans, it was still a really valuable experience. It was great to stay involved in the event, watch the aquathlon races, and see how other athletes adapted to the conditions. I also enjoyed meeting new athletes and being part of the atmosphere on the day.

Overall, it was a positive experience, and I’m looking forward to building on this moving forward and getting back to training soon.

Thank you again for your support, it makes a big difference, and I’m proud to represent Tri Wellington.

Kind regards,
Emily Robbie

5th overall in tough conditions. No fuss. Just getting it done.

We love seeing this. Not just the result, but the mindset. Turning a cancelled race into an opportunity and making the most of it.

That’s how future TriWelly legends are built.

If you’ve supported the Youth Fund in any way, this is the impact you’re making 🙌