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Report from the Oysterman Triathlon on 28th June.

Posted: Monday, 06 July, 2015

On Sunday 28th June, Whitstable Yacht Club and the Wild Times Sailing School hosted the registration and the swimming section of the Activelife Whitstable Oysterman Triathlon. Over 100 competitors took part, including some members of Whitstable Yacht Club. Thanks to all the volunteers from the club and school who came together to support the event on and off the water, and keep everyone safe. Below is a report from Paul Moore (competitor #051).

As I claw at the slime-greasy boat ramp by the West Quay, two thoughts momentarily distract me from the gasping physical pain.  The first is that I’m not a Triathlete - so what am I doing here..? At best, I’m really a Duathlete (run, bike, run) - who swims occasionally. So my race has only just started.  The second is to appreciate each breath - now that it’s returning to something approaching normal, by which I mean it doesn’t contain at least 50% salt water.  At this point it doesn’t matter that I’m in 88th position, it’s just enough to be back on dry-land, breathing, and not having donated any limbs to Crabzilla – that dark, sinister monster that lurks off the shore and also deep in the psyche of most open water swimmers.
First, let’s just say what an outstanding success Oysterman 2015 was from a participant’s perspective.  Putting a ‘simple’ one-leg race together in a bustling town centre would be enough of a challenge, let alone the complexity of organising 100 hyped-up competitors through a complex multisport format - 750m swim, 20k ride and a 5k tab.  So a big thanks to Richard Oliver and his team for having the courage to take on the challenge of a complex multisport event and the tenacity to see it through.  As ever, there are too many people to thank - but friends at Whitstable Yacht Club helped with a great race reception and sterling work in laying a good swim course and shepherding their sometimes wayward ‘paddling sheep’. Friends at Whitstable Parkrun/Canterbury Harriers were also clearly the backbone of marshalling, out in full force on the rest of the course and gave great encouragement to all participants, as well as keeping us on route.
As for the race, the swim conditions were good, with relatively flat water for Whitstable - at least for those who avoided the ‘washing machine’ at the start line.  The ‘onto the ramp’ finish to the swim gave a great Triathlon feel and made a nice change to clawing up a muddy bank.  Although not hugely technical, the bike course required focus and concentration.  The hill past Chestfield into the woods required a bit of determined effort to knock it off, if momentum was to be maintained, but not so much effort to ‘blow-up’.  Once past that hill, the course opened into a glorious back-section of fast, sweeping country lanes and slingshot bends.  Rewards were there for those with the commitment and resolve to stay down on the aero bars, as the chevrons screamed at the brain to back-off.  The bike course was a great choice and is now a firm favourite for a Sunday morning time-trial.  The run was kind of a Parkrun-in-reverse course, which became a drag-race along the prom, once past the ‘Parkrun turn’.
Some Oystermen/women will have been concerned for one of our number who had a unfortunate entanglement with a car at Chestfield.  Thankfully, although battered, and after a trip to Margate hospital for further treatment - no stitches were needed - so a very lucky man!
My race ..?. 88th out of the water, 8th quickest on the bike – says it all. Overall 27th.  Out and back in 1.17.01 - and yes Mr Figgis, that is under 1.20.  If anyone knows a good swim coach please do let me know.  A special thanks from me to two members of the medical profession (also Parkrunners and one a WYC sailor) -  who put me back together after a collapsed lung four years ago and to whom I continue to be grateful for those first few breaths coming out of the water.
As for next year - same again please Richard.  Just maybe a Crabzilla or two on the T-shirt ...?  I’m sure that there are plenty of ‘Arty’ people in Whitstable who could help with that.  That would go down well with nieces and nephews - especially as their Mum was first woman home - great work Kate.
Parkrun is open to all - is free - and is a fantastically informal and supportive route to start - or maintain - a bit of activity/running/jogging.  Parkrunners gather every saturday morning on Tankerton slopes at 9am. It’s really worth it.
A final thought is to reflect on whether the turnout for Oysterman suggests that there is now sufficient critical mass for a Tri-club in Whitstable…. Maybe as an offshoot of Canterbury Harriers ...? And wouldn’t the Whitstable Yacht Club provide a great training base… ?  Oysterman has surely proved that We have got a great training ground on our doorstep – so I wonder if there is enough support for a local club that can offer encouragement and support.  There are so many great events across Kent – Kentish Killer, Chilham Castle Duathlon, Leeds Castle Triathlon, and Parkrun’s New Year’s day Whitstable/Margate Duathlon – and you will know of others. Do let me know if you think there is any mileage in a local club that could help keep us all going through the winter months.  At least we could have a Tri-suit emblazoned with ‘Whi-Tri..?’ and dotted with Crabzillas - which, brings me full-circle to that scramble up the ramp.
Thanks again to Richard Oliver, the Whitstable Yacht Club and Parkrunners for making a great day happen.
Keep racing people - and have a great season.
Paul Moore (051)
Mooreaptm@icloud.com

Photo courtesy of Wild Times Sailing & Windsurfing School