Club Members Conquer the Swashbuckler Triathlon

Date: 6th July 2025
Location: Bucklers Hard, New Forest

Last weekend, several of our club members took on the challenging yet picturesque Swashbuckler Triathlon, an annual event set in the heart of the New Forest. The race offers both Standard Distance (1.1 km swim, 40 km bike, 11 km run) and Middle Distance (1.5 km swim, 90 km bike, 21.1 km run) options—both of which were tackled with grit, camaraderie, and a good dose of New Forest sunshine.

A Scenic but Demanding Course

Set in the historic village of Bucklers Hard, the Swashbuckler course is known for its stunning riverside swim in the Beaulieu River, scenic yet rolling countryside bike leg, and a mixed-terrain run that weaves through shaded woodland paths. While the beautiful backdrop helps take the edge off, this race is no walk in the park.

The day started at a reasonable hour due to the tide times, with the Middle Distance athletes entering the water at 8am. With calm river conditions and supportive volunteers lining the course, spirits were high. Shortly after, the Standard Distance wave dove in—eager to chase personal bests or simply enjoy the challenge.

Outstanding Club Performances

Our club was well represented across both distances. Among the standout results:

  • Dawn put in a phenomenal bike leg on the Middle Distance course, averaging 31 km/h through the rolling terrain over nearly 3 hours!

  • Katie completed her second triathlon in the Standard Distance event, an incredible achievement after months of dedicated training, finishing the gruelling run in exactly 1 hour!

  • Chris had a challenging run but gearing up to Copenhagen Ironman later this year, still smashed the Middle Distance in well under 6 hours.

A Great Start to the Summer Race Season

For many, the Swashbuckler marks the start of their 2025 race calendar. With upcoming events like the New Forest Triathlon, Ironman and local sprint races, we’re excited to see even more club colours out on the course in the coming weeks.

To those who raced: congratulations on a gutsy performance. To those cheering, supporting, or helping in training, thank you. Let’s carry this momentum into the rest of the season!

Back to Top