Tri Wellington

🏆 Celebrating a TriWellington Legend: Natalie Brook Awarded Life Membership!

Life Membership is the highest honour TriWellington can bestow, recognizing exceptional contribution, dedication, and service to our club over many years. The committee is thrilled to announce that Natalie Brook has officially been awarded Life Membership!

Nat recently wrapped up two terms as Chair of Triathlon NZ—a tenure that included appointing Pete de Wet as the new CEO of TriNZ. While she’s plenty handy as an athlete in her own right, her immense contribution to the triathlon community both locally in Wellington and across the country is what truly sets her apart.

On behalf of the committee and the entire TriWellington community, congratulations Nat on this thoroughly deserved honor! 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️💙

🏆 And finally, our 2026 Sam Raphael Trophy winner.

We finish our awards with one of Tri Wellington’s most prestigious and meaningful trophies.

The Sam Raphael Trophy honours one of the club’s original high-performing triathletes, who tragically lost his life while training for Ironman in 1999. Sam raced hard, supported events across the country, and did it all with plenty of fun, enthusiasm, cheek and irreverence.

The award recognises someone who carries that same spirit. Someone for whom triathlon is a huge part of life, who races competitively, supports the local scene, inspires others, and never forgets that we’re supposed to be enjoying this slightly ridiculous sport.

💛 2026 Sam Raphael Trophy: Brett Turia

Over the years, Brett has done just about every race on the New Zealand calendar, sometimes seemingly all in the same year. From his mountain biking roots to triathlon, multisport and multiple World Championships, including taking on just about every discipline available at Townsville, Brett is always looking for the next start line.

But this award is about much more than results.

Brett is also one of the beating hearts of our community. When Jenny Weigt qualified for Kona last year, Brett immediately threw himself into helping organise the fundraising to get her there. That’s Brett. He loves racing, but he gets just as much satisfaction from helping someone else chase their goal.

Competitive, committed, enthusiastic, generous, and always up for an adventure. Brett embodies what the Sam Raphael Trophy represents.

Congratulations Brett. A hugely deserved recipient of a very special award. 🏆💛🖤

And with that, our 2026 Tri Wellington Awards are officially wrapped up!

A massive congratulations to every winner and nominee, and thank you to every athlete, coach, committee member, volunteer, supporter and photographer who makes this club what it is.

And one final thank you to our guest speaker, Jono Ridler | Ultra-marathon swimmer from Swim4TheOcean, for helping us celebrate the season and sharing his incredible story with us.

Here’s to the next chapter. See you on the start line (and the AGM)! 💛🖤

🥶 If emojis were designed in Wellington, they’d look very different… 💨 🌧️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ 💨

The annual Tri Wellington Winterman/Winterwoman 🥶 is back!

Leave the tropical swim emojis at home. This is cold water, winter winds, and big smiles.

Join us for our annual unofficial Winterman training day on Saturday 15 August, meeting at 7:30am at Freyberg Beach.

Whether you’re tackling the Full Monty or creating your own Pick & Mix challenge, come along for one of the club’s favourite winter traditions. For some, it’s just another day out, for some it’s their peak for the non-season, and for others (eg Mike) it’s the first day of training for the next season ahead.

❄️ See you at the beach… if you’re brave enough.

This is not an official Tri Wellington event. There is no entry fee, timing, marshals, or event management. Everyone takes part at their own risk and is responsible for their own safety and decisions. Tri Wellington volunteers will simply be there joining in alongside everyone else.

Full details 👉 https://facebook.com/events/s/winterman-2026/2492156841230099/

🏆 Congratulations to our 2026 Capill-Turner Trophy recipient for Outstanding Services to the Sport!

Some people measure their contribution by the races they complete. Others measure it by the people they’ve helped along the way.

💛 Capill-Turner Trophy: Matt Berg

For more than a decade, Matt has been one of the cornerstones of Tri Wellington. His four years as Club President helped shape the club into what it is today, but his contribution didn’t stop when he handed over the reins.

Whether it’s stepping in to run a group training session, mentoring our Youth Squad, volunteering behind the scenes, or simply being there when someone needs a hand, Matt always shows up. Quietly, consistently, and without ever seeking recognition.

What makes Matt so respected isn’t just everything he does, it’s the way he does it. He’s an exceptional athlete, yet one of the most humble people you’ll meet. Calm, patient, encouraging, and welcoming to athletes of every ability, he’s someone who makes everyone around him feel like they belong.

Tri Wellington is a better club because of people like Matt. This recognition is long overdue, incredibly well deserved, and a fitting way to acknowledge more than a decade of service to our club and our sport.

Congratulations Matt, and thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do for Tri Wellington. 💛👏

A big thank you as well to our guest speaker, Jono Ridler from Swim4TheOcean, who shared an inspiring reminder that sport can create real impact beyond the finish line.

If Jono’s message resonated with you and you’d like to support an awesome cause, check it out and donate here:
🌊 https://liveocean.org/swim4theocean/

Stay tuned… we’ve got one final award to celebrate. 🏆💛🖤

Triathlon Needs You 👆

World-class triathlon is coming to Tauranga — three years, three global events, starting with World Triathlon Cup Tauranga on November 22. And Tri NZ needs people just like you to help bring it to life.

Volunteering across Tauranga's Triple Crown of World Triathlon events isn't just event-day support. It's training, team culture, skills development and the chance to be part of something that will put the Bay of Plenty on the world sporting map through to the 2028 Olympic year.

Whether you're local, willing to travel, or just want to be part of a major event on home soil — there's a place for you.

One minute to register. Three years to remember.
👉 www.tri2028.nz/volunteers

Huge thanks to our Official Tauranga 2028 Volunteer Program supporters Suzuki NZ, ASICS New Zealand and Port of Tauranga Ltd 🤛

🏆 Congratulations to our 2026 Tri Wellington Best Photo of the Year winner! 📸

Every season, our incredible volunteer photographers capture the moments that tell the story of our club. The triumphs, the struggles, the laughs, the sunsets, and everything in between. This award celebrates the image that stood out above the rest.

💛 Best Photo of the Year: John Kelly

John’s stunning image perfectly captures what Tri Wellington is all about. A packed transition area, athletes preparing for the day ahead, supporters lining the course, and one of Wellington’s spectacular sunrises over Scorching Bay. It’s more than just a race photo. It’s a snapshot of our community.

As the winner, John’s photo has earned a special place of honour. It will be the Tri Wellington Facebook cover photo for the next 12 months, representing our club and welcoming everyone who visits our page.

A huge thank you goes to all of our volunteer photographers who spend countless hours standing in the rain, battling the wind, climbing hills, and waiting patiently to capture the moments the rest of us would otherwise miss. Your photos become our memories, and our club is better because of them.

Congratulations John on a fantastic image and a very well deserved Photo of the Year award! 📷💛

A big thank you as well to our guest speaker, Jono Ridler from Swim4TheOcean, who shared an inspiring reminder that sport can create real impact beyond the finish line.

If Jono’s message resonated with you and you’d like to support an awesome cause, check it out and donate here:
🌊 https://liveocean.org/swim4theocean/

Stay tuned for more award winners soon.