Hamilton Island Triathlon 2009 and 2010 - by Bilbys' member Michael Dupé

In November 2009 I had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Hamilton Island Triathlon. Although I suspect there have been previous triathlons there, the management is kicking off a new series and the first event was on Sunday 30 November. I had read about it in an e- mail from 2XU, one of the sponsors and I followed the links. What I discovered was that they were offering a one week workshop of triathlon coaching in addition to a 2k ocean swim race and a sprint distance triathlon. The full workshop package was roughly a thousand dollars but it included a busy schedule every day for a week (starting at 5.30 am!), entry and transport for the ocean swim at the famous and
pristine Whitehaven beach, triathlon entry, presentation dinners and a whole bunch of extras. Details of the 2009 event are at: http://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=14002

 I convinced my wife that we really needed a week at Hamilton Island and we elected to stay at the Reef View Hotel. This was the most expensive accommodation option (the cheapest would be to rent a house or apartment privately and take a big group). However, it was fantastic accommodation and included a daily buffet breakfast (the best I have ever encountered) and full use of a really good gym including daily classes (yoga on the beach at sunset was unforgettable). We flew by Jetstar. The other option is Virgin. Both have small luggage allowances (20kg) but I bought a QANTAS bike box for $16, packed light and carried on some more gear in my day pack.

The workshop program was great. It began with welcome cocktails on a Sunday evening where we met our coaches:

• Miles Stewart: Former World Triathlon Champion and dual World Record Holder. Miles can be found in the Guinness book of records for the fastest triathlon time in the world
• Michael Bohl: Current Australian Swim Coach of the year and coach to Olympian Stephanie Rice.
• Victor Popov: Sports physio to Stuart O’Grady, Robbie McEwan, the Brisbane Lions and now the Russian Cycling team.
• Brad Hiskins: Ten World Championships with the Australian Triathlon Team. Four Olympic Games with two of them as Head of Service for Soft Tissue

• Louise Bell: Nutritionist to the 2008 Australian Olympic Team
• Dan Atkins: Queensland Junior Elite Head Coach and QAS Metro Coach

In the background was the organiser, Steve Jackson, who is the Hamilton Island sporting coordinator. In addition to his day job he is a triathlon enthusiast and along with his staff and local triathletes, he had put together a great week. Every day included a mix of training, (which was videotaped), workshops and specific feedback on our own videos - which was also taped. I now have a DVD of my performance in each discipline (or would have if I hadn't slept in and
missed getting my cycling taped) and the commentary from Michael Bohle and Miles Stewart. All of the coaches were approachable, realistic and helpful. I had thought Hamilton Island would be flat. However it is so hilly that even I developed calves on my skinny stick legs by the end of the week. My calves were so sore after day one of running hills, cycling hills and walking up hills to get anywhere at all, that I despired of being able to finish the triathlon scheduled for the Sunday. The island is so steep that they had to include the airstrip in the cycle course so as to get some flat bits! Local triathletes take ferry trips to Airlie beach so they can go for a decent ride.....Fortunately the week of training did me good, and I was able to enjoy the sprint course even though it felt as hard as any Olympic distance.

The 2k ocean swim at Whitehaven beach on the Friday was a great prelude to the triathlon. It was a magical experience to arrive on one of a flotilla of craft large and small that arrived at the pristine tropical island, to swim in sparkling water with hundred of others and then to leave the beach as bare and beautiful as we had found it. The triathlon itself was also great. I have never ridden on an airstrip before and it was great fun to hurtle towards the Pacific Ocean along
a strip of perfect tarmac - even if it was followed by loops of steep roads soon after! ....and of course I raced in Bilbys colours....You can find photographs of the event at ttp://photos.hamiltonisland.com.au/en/Member/Cover.asp?M=182856

In summary, I thoroughly recommend the experience whether as an individual adventure or a family holiday. The date for the 2010 workshop has already been set for 7-14 November and more information is available on the Hamilton Island website. If anyone would like a copy of my DVD they can see for themselves what they might expect.