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Family friendly training with Balance Point Triathlon
Courtesy: Jennifer Matthews

Family friendly training with Balance Point Triathlon

LONDON, Ontario — London’s Balance Point Triathlon Club was established by Gabbi Whitlock 14 years ago. Gabbi, who had been a competitive swimmer, had been participating in triathlons for about five or six years when she arrived at Western University. Although the school had a triathlon club, it didn’t have a coach, so Gabbi stepped up and started her journey that has continued for 30 years.

Courtesy: Jennifer Matthews

While developing Balance Point, Gabbi focused on creating a plan that allowed families to attend training sessions together. “I wanted parents to bring their kids to the workouts, and also have those kids participate at the same time.” Her philosophy was that when children witness their parents training, they too will be motivated to pick up the sport. Workouts, then, are designed with scalability in mind, and no babysitter required!

Complementing Gabbi on the coaching team is Ryan Power, who specializes in individual coaching programs, and assists with youth training. Gabbi’s sister Shannon, a former competitive swimmer, has been assisting with the swim groups and as a kids’ club mentor for over 10 years.

When asked what are the most rewarding moments in her life as a triathlon coach, Gabbi answered, “when I see someone accomplish what they set out to do, what they have been working towards, that is where I get the most satisfaction. It doesn’t matter if it’s just getting someone afraid of open water to do a training swim, or someone completing their first try-a-tri, or watching an athlete complete an Ironman, it is the moment they complete that goal that I love to see.”

Courtesy: Jennifer Matthews

Although training has looked a little different over the past year, Gabbi has been able to adapt the program given the ever-changing health protocols. “In the summer, we had to have smaller groups for the workouts, staggered throughout a morning, a lunch hour, or evening,” she explains. “We still tried to fit it all in.” The kids’ program continued as well, five days per week, and included some parking lot workouts that emphasized bike skills. The coaches even had the privilege of training some nurses last summer who were working in a frontline capacity during Covid. The opportunity to provide a stress-relieving escape in a safe, socially distanced environment was one of the highlights of the season.

At the moment, swim workouts are next to impossible other than some at-home band training, but Gabbi and team maintain an online workout presence with their athletes. “Last week, we did a youth workout on the bike trainers via Zoom, then the kids would hop off and go do a run around the neighbourhood and return to their bikes. With this bit of improvisation, we were able to practice transitions, and get a Covid brick workout in, and it was so great to see the smiles on all the kids’ faces.”

Courtesy: Jennifer Matthews

The future for Gabbi, the coaches, and triathletes alike looks positive. “I absolutely want to continue doing this for a long time. I’d really like to grow triathlons as a sport for youth, while maintaining the adult program. Sometimes people really need a challenge or adventure to work towards, and that’s what this sport is—an adventure. And who couldn’t use an adventure right now?”

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