Find your Unstoppable: A lifelong passion

4 Feb 2025

Joining a triathlon club and community can ignite a lifelong passion, fostering a deep love for the sport and the unique challenges it offers. 

Luke Schofield first participated in a triathlon in 2008 in the Sri Chinmoy Joyathon in Canberra with his friends, and 16 years later he is still competing. 

“My first triathlon was back in 2008, and I trained with some mates to complete it,” Schofield said. 

“I didn’t think I would catch the bug and continue to do it, but here I am 16 years later, having done events I never thought I would do.

“Obtaining a bronze medal at the long course aquabike world championships in Townsville would have to be a personal highlight of my triathlon journey. 

“Completing races like an Ironman and Sri Chinmoy Triple Triathlon solo that had the impression of being impossible are very fond memories too. 

“But carrying an engagement ring throughout the entire triathlon course, and then proposing to my now wife, who was my support crew for that event is a huge life memory and highlight.” 

Being given the opportunity to travel to many different places to compete, Luke’s favourite isn’t too far from home. 

“One of my favourite locations to race is the Batemans Bay Tomakin triathlon,” he said.

“It is a very fast course and a good excuse to have a weekend at the coast with the family. 

“Triathlon has given me a reason to travel with my family to parts of Australia and the world that I probably wouldn’t have gone to and some fantastic family memories.”

Also an avid coach at the Tuggeranong Vikings and volunteer at local races, Luke enjoys getting to watch those just starting their triathlon journey grow in confidence. 

“My favorite memory would have to be having all the beginners in the program complete a triathlon, some of them even completing several, by the end of the program,” he said. 

“Their enthusiasm and desire to do their best is very infectious. 

“When volunteering you get to witness participants preserving and they often thank volunteers in the midst of their event. 

“It’s great to give back to a sport and community that has given me so much.

“Being part of the Canberra triathlon community is fantastic, there are role models at all levels and aspects of triathlon that are easily accessible. 

“In triathlon there is so much to learn and so many experiences to share. 

“It is great to hear from others as they train and compete in their favourite events. 

“This sharing helps me to keep preserving in all aspects of life, to ride out the highs and the lows.”

To anyone just starting out in triathlon, Luke encourages you to join a club, and work together to find events you enjoy.

“To anyone interested in triathlon, I recommended joining a club or a group,” he said. 

“Being able to lean on others, learn together and have those shared experiences adds to the personal triathlon journey. 

“Work together with your family to find events that suit commitments and locations they enjoy.”

If you are interested in getting involved in triathlon, head to https://www.triathlon.org.au/ to find an event or club near you.

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