Club Champs Feb 2026

The NSW Club Champs race brought together triathletes from 35 clubs across the State for a day full of competition, camaraderie, and celebration. After a 5.5 hour drive the majority of Byron Breakers blew into the lovely coastal town of Forster on Thursday ready to race and eager to enjoy the weekend. From a challenging course to impressive individual results, the event was a memorable experience in more ways than one!

A Weekend of Fun

The Byron Breakers had an absolute blast, not just racing, but also catching up, having picnics, runs, swims, dinners, and plenty of fun as a team. It was great to meet up with some of the triathletes we've known over the years, and to have a boogie after the club Awards.

The Race Challenge: Technical Course and Summer Heat

The revised course tested us this year as the cycle was shorter but notably technical, featuring numerous sharp turns and lots of steep hills - not what triathletes are used to! The run course presented its own challenge with the soaring heat. Despite these tough conditions, the Breakers demonstrated their resilience and determination, by all of them pushing through and crossing that finish line!

Standout Performances from Byron Breakers

Several team members delivered remarkable results. Note that this is a club vs club event and no individuals are awarded. Each athlete’s performance contributed valuable points to the team’s overall standing. Here are the highlights for the Sprint Distance event;

• Jaime Cascajares finished 7th overall with a time of 1:11:38, securing 1st place in the M40-44 age group.

• Kiva Gwynne made an impressive debut at Club Champs, winning 1st in the M25-29 category with 1:16:48.

• Huw Jones earned 2nd place in M60-64, finishing in 1:27:47.

• Deborah Fuller came in 4th in F60-64 with a time of 1:33:42.

• Bogi Varga took 3rd in F30-34, completing the race in 1:33:58, this was Bogi's first Club Champs too.

• Sandra Killen secured 2nd place in F65-69 with 1:38:13.

• Annie Pellatt finished 7th in F35-39, clocking 1:38:33 - pretty impressive esp after waiting for the men to pass in the water so she could enjoy her swim without any argy bargy

• Joana Sponsel wanted to save herself for her last race in Oz at Kingscliff and effortlessly came 8th in F30-34 in 1:51:36

• Nerida Clarke earned 3rd in F70-74 with a time of 2:09:03 and I must say looked fresh as a daisy crossing that line.

  
  

These results reflect the depth of talent and commitment within the Byron Breakers.

Team Results and Future Goals

This year, Tri NSW decided to shake things up by abandoning the traditional club champ distance 1km/30km/8km and instead offering points across a variety of event formats. Participants could earn points not only through the usual race events like the Sprint and Standard distances but also through Aquabike, Super Sprint, and a selection of relay events. This approach aimed to encourage greater participation and provide more opportunities for athletes to contribute to their club’s overall score.

Out of 20 teams in our Division 4 (the small clubs division), the Byron Breakers finished in 5th place, which is a fantastic achievement for a relatively small team. Congratulations to the Brighton Baths Athletic Club, who took out the division by ensuring the majority of its members participated in the race. Amazing efforts!!

Considering we had only 20% of our club members racing, we recognise there’s definitely room for growth. The club is already motivated and fired up to improve, with our sights set on winning our division next time!

Volunteers Make a Big Difference

Behind every successful race day is a group of dedicated volunteers. The Byron Breakers were fortunate to have Beck, John, Benz, Andy, and Peter supporting the event. These volunteers helped manage the course, ensuring safety and smooth operations. Their efforts also earned valuable points for the club.

Volunteers often go unnoticed, but their role is crucial. The team extends heartfelt thanks to these individuals for their time and energy, which made the race experience better for everyone.

Reflecting on a Memorable Weekend

A big thank you to all our members for participating and helping to put our club on the map. Your dedication and effort are truly appreciated. It’s a significant commitment in terms of time and cost, and your support makes all the difference.