Giving a golden thank you to his sideline supporters
A not too far drive from the 2025 Age Group World Championships Wollongong course, sits Brighton and the Brighton Baths Athletics Club (BBAC), Ben Dibdin’s home base and the colours he proudly flew alongside the green and gold on his way to becoming the 20-24 Aquabike World Champion.
For the young BBAC athlete, the win was the perfect blend of preparation, local knowledge and the kind of race‑day energy that only comes from having your club mates and family right there on the sidelines, cheering.
Coming out of winter and into the unpredictability of a coastal spring, Ben credits early heat acclimation as a major factor in his winning form. Training through the temperature swings meant he arrived in Wollongong ready for anything, and able to hold strong effort across the day. Add to that a familiarity with the course and Ben was able to execute the fastest ride of his life when it mattered most.
But even with a world title, Ben still shared that the highlight of his day wasn’t just the result, but watching his dad and his fellow BBAC teammates deliver standout races of their own! It was a shared moment of pride for a club that lives and breathes community, and a reminder of why sport feels bigger when you’re part of this kind of community.
When asked about any pre‑race rituals, Ben shared that is’s simple, loud, and very Dibdin: hype‑up back slaps from Dad. A family tradition that gets him fired up and ready to launch into a hard start.
If he had to sum up his race in three words? Swim. Bike. Fun.
With eyes now turning to 2026, Ben is excited to be racing and plans to add some shorter distances into the mix – an exciting prospect and we’ll be keeping an eye to see which startlines are next for Ben.
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