Meet the Team

Sylvia

I came to triathlon later in life and I want to encourage and motivate all ages and abilities. I am fascinated by the mental game needed to succeed at every level in the sport and the strategies for dealing with this.

I am lead coach for the Intro to Tri Course.

Qualifications:

• BTF Level 2 Triathlon Coach
• First Aid
• Safeguarding

Paddy

I did my first tri in 2002, Cockermouth Sprint Tri, at the age of 46. I finished, just, but got a real buzz for racing. I was persuaded to come and join in the swim sessions. It didn't take long and I was hooked. I have completed an Ironman and represented GB at European and World championships over a dozen times. I have mainly raced Standard Distance, but also the occasional middle distance and more recently aqua bike. 

I am a Level 3 tri coach and Level 2 cycling coach. I coach at the Club and also individuals, including some work with visually impaired athletes. I feel very proud when I see athletes from our Club doing their first race, doing any race, getting on the podium or guiding visually impaired athletes. 

My aim for the Club is simple, for members to have as much fun and participation as possible in all the combinations of swim, bike and run. 

Complete, occasionally compete. 

Qualifications:

• BTF Level 3 Triathlon Coach
• First Aid
• Safeguarding
• British Cycling Level 2 Coach, Road and Time Trial
• Cycle Leader
• Personal Trainer

Pete

I enjoy all the sports of triathlon and often do them as individual sports. I've undertaken many different types of challenges and particularly like doing these with friends. I am intrigued by the technical nature of swimming and love helping people break their stroke down to see where improvements can be made.

Qualifications:

• BTF Level 1 Triathlon Coach
• First Aid
• Safeguarding

Jill

In my youth I was a county champion and swam at national level. I went on to qualify as a swimming teacher in 1980. I taught swimming part time at a private swimming school while I went to college and then they offered me a full time job, which I did for nearly 22 years.

I specialised in teaching babies to swim, but also taught thousands of children and adults. I moved here 23 years ago and started my own swim school. Within the school I had classes for adults who wanted stroke improvement and some triathletes who wanted coaching.

I retired in 2023 and joined Kendal Tri club to restart some swimming for myself, but was soon involved in helping on the poolside, something that is obviously in my blood which I thoroughly enjoy!

Qualifications:

• BTF Level 1 Triathlon Coach
• Advanced Swimming Teacher
• Safeguarding

Sarah

I came to Kendal Triathlon Club in 2018. I'd taken part in a sprint triathlon in 2010 where I lived before in the Scottish Borders and was completely clueless! It took until 2020 before I did another, which was during the first covid year so it was a self-styled solo affair, and then in 2021 I did another 'proper' one, the 'Day in the Lakes' which I loved and hated in equal measures.

I wouldn't say that in any way that I'm hooked on these events or competition, but I like the motivation to train for them, and the fitness that means I can go out and do the things I love in the outdoors (not all swim, bike run, but mostly).

Crucial to me is inclusive and friendly nature of this Club. In 2023 I became a Level 1 coach. I am mainly involved in coaching on poolside and I especially enjoy working with the swimmers in lanes 1 and 2 who are so hungry for input to help improve their swimming.

Qualifications:

• BTF Level 1 Triathlon Coach
• Working towards BTF Group Triathlon Coach
• First Aid
• Safeguarding

Julz

I joined the Kendal Tri Club coaching team in 2025, coming from an open water swimming background. I'm keen to support swimmers and triathletes at all levels to achieve their best, and to open up the sport of triathlon to people from all backgrounds - not just those that have always been 'sporty'.

Qualifications:

• BTF Foundation Triathlon Coach
• STA Level 2 Open Water Swimming Coach
• Level 3 Outdoor First Aid
• Safeguarding
• Welfare Officer (previous role)

 

Laura

I joined Kendal Tri Club in 2023 to improve my swimming ahead of swimming Ullswater End to End. I was also a participant in the Intro to Tri course in 2024 and as running is my favourite sport I was surprised to find that it was often the least favourite discipline for others.

With support from the club and coaches, myself and two others are now Leaders in Running Fitness and coach weekly sessions for new and experienced runners along with mostly social trail runs.

Qualifications:

• • LiRF - England Athletics
  • First Aid
  • Safeguarding

Vikki

I’m one of the running leaders. I’m interested in lots of activities including yoga and caving. Over the years I have completed a number of on road and off-road long-distance events and 14 marathons including London Marathon. I recently completed the trilogy of That’s Lyth, Derwent Dawdle and Silverdale Circuit.

I enjoy personal challenges more than racing and have undertaken a cycle tour of the Alps. In 2025 I ran round the Ullswater Way and swam solo the length of Windermere one and a quarter times over two swims. I’ve also swam the length of Windermere, Ullswater with support and Coniston with and without support. I completed a middle distance triathlon in 2015 and the White Rose Classic 114-mile cycle challenge. Previously I ran/walked around the 3 Yorkshire peaks twice. I also enjoy via ferrata in Europe and have explored some caves in Northern Spain.

I’m currently learning to be a yoga instructor and next year will be training for The Windermere LAP.

Qualifications:

• • YMCA Exercise to Music (Aerobics Instructor)
  • LiRF Level One
  • NNAS Bronze Navigation
  • Currently learning to be a Yoga Instructor

Dan

I spent many years coaching juniors at Helm Hill Runners. This involved a) failing to teach them that it is possible to run at a range of different speeds (rather than all-out all of the time), and b) failing to keep up with them. I now enjoy coaching sensible adults at our club sessions.

I have the England Athletics LiRF qualification and many years of experience of running at fell races, triathlons and other events. My favourite type of running is an adventure in the mountains with friends. My least favourite type of running is the last 10 miles of a full distance triathlon, on the road, on my own.

Qualifications:

• • • LiRF - England Athletics

Charlotte

Whilst I am new to coaching, I have enjoyed training and competing in triathlon since 2018. I wasn’t sporty growing up and only discovered the sport after breaking my hip and wanting to find a way to stay active and avoid future injuries. Since then, triathlon has given me confidence, resilience and a real sense of achievement - exactly what I hope to help others achieve as I work towards my coaching qualification.

I’m looking forward to supporting others to reach their goals and enjoy all the benefits of swimming, biking and running!

Qualifications:

• Working towards BTF Foundation Triathlon Coach

Rebecca

I first came to triathlon in 2015 from a running background and found the variety in training to suit my desire to move every day...Although 10 years on I can admit that rest days are crucial!

Through work as a Mountain Leader and Yoga teacher, I found a passion for helping others develop skills and get curious about what their bodies are capable of. This naturally lead me into a coaching roll. I am now working towards the BTF Group Coaching award, with support of the club, whilst also developing my skills as a strength and conditioning coach with a specific interest in training for endurance events.

I am looking forward to getting more involved in the club in 2026.

Qualifications:

• Working towards BTF Group Triathlon Coach