3rd time to attempt the Poseidon Adventure of Worthing Triathlon! Never let the look of a calm sea fool you it was still a bit choppy although lovely and warm! Shame tide times were against us this year so it was a late start for a Triathlon. I competed in the Sprint. Transition was in a perfect position for quick access behind the swim start/finish. Bike section is easy out and back, it’s on traffic local roads so you need your wits about you especially this year with the later start. Back for the run on the flat fast (windy) coastal Path to Finish near Transition and Race HQ. Lots of support and great for families to spectate and day on beach if weather permits! Great memento collectors T shirt, plenty of Prizes and refreshments after. Free top quality Photos to download. REP events are fantastic affordable and friendly perfect for novice to experienced

Worthing Standard Triathlon as Olympic distance was probably not a great one to pick as a first attempt. I do like a challenge so arriving on the morning to see the most choppiest waves this was going to be interesting! Transition was a good size and very organised with bikes placed into your Coloured wave section. Racking up It then dawned on me the quality of the competitors! My poor little Tarmac was over shadowed by shiny Cervelò and Trek TT bikes, the GBR Tri Suits were slowly being covered over as Wetsuits were pulled on and by the buzzing in the air of anxious anticipation was really pulling the atmosphere together this was an ÉTU Age Group Qualifier.
Called by your coloured Wave the Sprints went of first.. I was still in line at the toilets, only 6 for more then 500 people when will they ever get this sorted at events!
I made it up to start line just in time with minutes to spare pulling wetsuit on & trying not to look out to Sea!
Now I've had plenty of practice in the Sea ( I'm a local) however this was not the case this morning ..sadly I was thrown by what felt like a 6 ft wave against the first Buoy which shook me up a lot and unfortunately for me a ride in the Speedboat with the Lifeguards is how I finished my Swim! ( I wasn't the only one a few were pulled or sea sick)
Please don't let this put you off as plenty of other competitors made it round the 1.5km swim and I praise them!
After I composed myself I was seen by medics for risk of secondary drowning however I wasn't defeated. The kind Organisers /Marshals allowed me to continue with bike and run just not as a competitor so I completed what was a lovely undulating 40km bike ( a PB!) ride and a very wet & windy run along the Seafront and wore my lovely T Shirt as my condolence Prize!
It's a shame it all ended in horrendous downpours & torrential rain so no finishing picnic on the beach after with an Ice Cream..that is our Beautiful English Weather for you!

I would like to commend and Thank the Marshalls at Raw Energy Pursuits for a fantastic organised Event.

This being a European Qualifying event meant it was very busy, and had sold out both in the sprint and standard distances.

Registration was either Saturday late afternoon or very early Sunday morning (5am) the guys at Raw Energy Pursuit have this down to a very fine art and it really does not take long to get sorted. They were super helpful to me letting my better half register me on Saturday while I was working so I didn't have an even earlier start then i did.

Sunday the weather was shell we say challenging, the tide and swell added to the dramatic back drop of dark clouds and flying gazebo's.

This really is a well organised event with a change this year to a wave start rather then the normal mass starts due to the number of people taking place. Marshalls had us ready for a few minutes acclimatisation to the water as soon as the previous wave was of. Certainly the 3 waives before mine and the waive I was in went of dead on time.

The sea was not nice to us that day, but there were plenty of kayaks and a safety boat out making sure everyone was OK.

The bike leg was a long drag out no major hills but enough to get you working on the way out. The course was well sign posted and marshalled. On the turn around you where hit with the head wind straight off the sea. Had the weather not been so challenging it would have been a really fast return back to transition, but at times the wind felt like it was blowing you backwards.

The run is mostly flat along the prom but with 3 loops which included some grass sections. Not the most exciting of run courses but it was fast, even with the wind trying to blow you over.

Once again the marshals were great, and I truly thank them for staying out in the wind and torrential rain.

Transition was well laid out and easy to get in and out of.

Its not the most picturesque of courses but hey who has time to look at what's around them!

For an ETU qualifier, the competition at Worthing was always going to be tough. Age group waves for the swim lead to healthy competition on the swim, with ample room at the start line. The sea was very choppy and a difficult swim, but kayak and rib supervision along with Marshalls helping swimmers out of the water helped with safety. The transition area was well laid out with lots of room. The bike course was a tough undulating course but excellently signposted, although some points were a little dangerous with traffic. The run was flat and a mix of path and grass, and the out and back along the seafront very enjoyable, the rubber band collection for laps was a little annoying, but overall the course was good. The photography was also quite extensive and free with entry so that's a benefit. Overall a good event, but due to the fierce competition and average course for enjoyment, only really attractive for experienced athletes and those looking to qualify for the Europeans.