Kingswood Tri Club are a modest group of enthusiastic amateur athletes based in and around Kingswood in Bristol.

The club was formed in 1986 as a way for local triathletes to plan and train in preparation for early Ironman events.

The club encompasses a wide range of abilities from Novices to Age Groupers with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Formal training sessions consist of a weekly swim, a couple of quality runs and various bike sessions. For more info on club training session click here. Please “like” our Facebook Page for the latest updates and if you’re already a club member you can join our members only Facebook Group.

Our constitution is provided here.

Who’s who in KIT – The KiT Committee 

Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith

Chair
Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Ironman Wales 2019 – tough course!
Favourite piece of Tri equipment: My TT Bike
Least favourite discipline: Swim
Favourite discipline: Bike – much more social!
Swim – Open water or Pool? Open Water
Run – Off road or On road? On Road
Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Fast & Flat

My journey into triathlon started in 2015 when I supported a friend at Ironman UK. I was someone who enjoyed fitness and was an avid runner at that time.  After the event I knew completing an Ironman is exactly what I wanted to do. I was completely and utterly inspired. At that point I couldn’t swim so I had to learn! Alongside this I also had to learn how to ride a road bike effectively and how to use clipless pedals. That was a learning curve too and I encountered a fair few falls and even a trip to A&E! Over the next 12 months I entered many different events; starting with a sprint tri then increasing the distance of the triathlon each time culminating in a 70.3. Once I had completed that event I was well and truly ready and entered Ironman Austria 2018. Since then I have done two more Ironman along with countless other triathlons, duathlons, time trial races and a few marathons for good measure!!! I also represented GB in my age group in 2022.

I love being a part of Kingswood Tri, it’s a really friendly club and it’s great to train with people who are now good friends of mine.

Claire Graham

Claire Graham

Social Secretary

Proudest triathlon achievement to date: Ironman Finland and The Outlaw 2021 at age 60

Favourite piece of triathlon equipment: Sublime and Bianchi Bikes

Least favourite discipline: Runnning as it is really hard for me now

Favourite discipline: Bike

Swim – Open Water or Pool? Open Water in the summer  months when very warm pool when colder

Run – Off road or on road? Off road

Bike – fast and flat or up and down? If racing flat and if training definitely up and down

Being born hyperactive (which is a curse) I have always loved any sport.   I played  netball, hockey and squash over the years and then took up running  at the age of  44.   I joined a running club once I moved to Bristol and raced for a while through to my early 50’s.   My husband introduced me to off road mountain events and  that was my passion for a number of years.   Once running became slow and painful it was recommended to me to take up triathlon so that I was doing  other disciplines.   Once I had mastered basic front crawl swimming  (this was over a period of a year or so) and having done a lot of long distance ultra running events  I knew I had the mental strength for endurance sport so I decided to sign up straight away for an Ironman at  the age of 53 in 2015 which was Bolton.   Obsession took over after that and  I have  been  doing triathlon ever since.

Maggie Bromley

Maggie Bromley

Membership Secretary
Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Winning gold in European Duathlon Championships
Favourite piece of Tri equipment: My Bike
Least favourite discipline: Swim
Favourite discipline: Bike
Swim – Open water or Pool? Pool
Run – Off road or On road? On Road
Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Up & Down

I started multisport in about 2004 after my husband bought me a road bike. I started with Duathlon. After I turned 50 I decided it was time to learn to swim front crawl and with lots of encouragement from triathlete friends I got to the stage where I could manage 400 metres for a sprint tri. With lots more practice I managed to get as far as the 1,900m required for middle distance and decided that was far enough. I have loved being part of the GB age group team on various occasions but most of all love training with friends in the club.

Mark Wyatt

Mark Wyatt

Treasurer
Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: In the Navy years ago and being part of Kingswood triathlon club
Favourite piece of Tri equipment: Bike
Least favourite discipline: Run
Favourite discipline: Bike
Swim – Open water or Pool? Open Water
Run – Off road or On road? On Road
Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Fast & Flat
Felicity Driver

Felicity Driver

Welfare Officer
Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Cardiff Triathlon 2018
Favourite piece of Tri equipment: Garmin to count down every mile!
Least favourite discipline: Bike
Favourite discipline: Swim
Swim – Open water or Pool? Both
Run – Off road or On road? On Road
Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Flat and trying to be faster!
Safia Wortelboer

Safia Wortelboer

Club Secretary
Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Ironman 70.3 Dun Laoghaire
Favourite piece of Tri equipment: My watch, can’t get lost without it!
Least favourite discipline: Run
Favourite discipline: Bike
Swim – Open water or Pool? Open Water
Run – Off road or On road? On Road
Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Fast & Flat

The first triathlon event I participated in was Ironman Maastricht 2017 and completed it as a relay with my mum and sister. I did the swim part of it and loved it, the three of us crossing that finish line together was amazing! After cheering everyone on, I thought perhaps I could do this too. So I thought let’s go for the whole thing but sign up for a shorter distance to start with and that was Ironman 70.3 Dun Laoghaire. My mental health wasn’t great back then and every time I trained all I thought was, you are stronger than you think, prove yourself wrong and train so you can finish the race! Damn that feeling of crossing the finish line was such a rush! Since then I’ve been looking for new races and loving the social aspects of training together as a club.

Stuart New

Stuart New

Kit Officer
Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: 2022 was an amazing year, completing Long Course Weekend Tenby, IM Copenhagen & IM Kona – Surreal
Favourite piece of Tri equipment: My Race shoes, they feel fast even if I’m running slow…
Least favourite discipline: I don’t have a least favourite, genuinely enjoy them all.
Favourite discipline: Oooh I like racking the bike in T2, its only a run now!
Swim – Open water or Pool? Open Water when the sun out
Run – Off road or On road? Road all day long
Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? I quite like it mixed, enjoy a hill but like the fast flat stuff too.

I got into triathlon in the hot summer of 2018 when I discovered Mad Mikes lake and found myself heading over there pretty much every evening for a swim.  It wasn’t long before I got my first road bike and hit the cycle track (!)… Turning up for my first club ride in football shorts and a rucksack sums up my level of experience, but I’ve worked extremely hard in all areas to build strength and stamina for the long events.  I love a race, but I also love the training – Particularly the journey to Ironman, pushing past your own pre-conceived limits, making friends along the way, all the ups and downs, it makes the finish line that much more special.  I believe that with the right commitment and effort pretty much anything is achievable – I try to enjoy the process and have lots of fun along the way.   My absolute favourite is the coffee & cake stop on long rides, its pretty much why I cycle.. 😊

Tina Dury

Tina Dury

Communications Officer
Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Westonbirt Sprint Tri (my only Tri)
Favourite piece of Tri equipment: Running Shoes
Least favourite discipline: Swim
Favourite discipline: Run – Bike scares me!
Swim – Open water or Pool? Open Water when the sun out
Run – Off road or On road? On Road
Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Fast & Flat (well slow and flat really)
I have only every completed one triathlon I was planning on doing more last year but due to my bike accident and then my breast cancer diagnosis that was kind of put on hold.  This year I would like to regain my confidence on the bike and rebuild by fitness. I am happiest when I am out supporting my fellow club athletes screaming at them to keep going and not give up. I completed London Marathon 21 weeks post mastectomy surgery this is probably the hardest thing I have ever done. Kingswood Tri club has added a new perspective to my training and even as a novice triathlete I have felt well supported and encouraged.

KiT President (Non Committee Role)

Eric “the Eel” Downey

Eric “the Eel” Downey

President
Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Ironman Austria in 10:34
Favourite piece of Tri equipment: Union Jack Sublime Bike
Least favourite discipline: Run
Favourite discipline: Swim
Swim – Open water or Pool? Open Water
Run – Off road or On road? Off Road
Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Fast & Flat
It all started in 2000 when I changed from an active job to a desk job and I could see my waist line growing at an alarming rate, I started swimming, then running and was asked to go on a ride? I had a problem I did not have a bike – asking around I blagged a new GT bike for £250 and so it all began…
My first Tri race was Wansdyke Sprint Tri and on completing this I was then bitten by the tri bug. I joined Kingswood Tri in 2001 and soon became Vice Secretary then voted in as Secretary in 2002. Over the next few years, I improved in all disciplines from the great knowledge base within the club to complete my first Ironman Triathlon in 2005.
I then specialised in Olympic Distances and represented GB in my age group. I have now completed 6 Ironmen. I can be found at most of the club training sessions. If you are interested in joining or want a friendly chat please do not hesitate to contact me on 07769172594 or e-mail me

Honorary members for long term service to KIT

  • Kes Aleknavicius
  • Jeremy Dale
  • Alex and Lee Francis
  • Dave Hares
  • Alex and Rich James
  • Ali Lucas