QUADRATHLON IN IBIZA

"Quadrathlon is the exciting modern sport of swimming, kayaking, cycling and running combined into one adrenaline filled race." Quoted from EL CUADRIATLÓN

"The World Quadrathlon Federation (WQF) was established in 1992 to govern the sport of Quadrathlon. Quadrathlon was founded in Ibiza, Spain in 1989 with the Diamond Man Long-distance Quadrathlon - 5k swim, 20k Kayak, 100k bike and 21.1k run

The SWIM, KAYAK, BIKE, RUN endurance sport spread through Eastern Europe from the original founder in Ibiza, Sergio Ferrero who still lives here. In 1992 The European Quadrathlon Federation (EQF) was formed by the present Czech National Team Coach Vaclav Marek. Today the WQF includes 10 registered National Federations (NFs) including Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Spain.

Three distances are raced in Quadrathlon; sprint, middle and long-distance. A World Championship exists in Canada, the Czech Republic and Germany for the respective race distances. These World Championships combine with five additional races to form the World Cup. Eight quadrathlons in six different countries are displayed on the Calendar.

Quadrathlon is growing in popularity recently, attracting triathletes, flatwater kayakers and other curious athletes. Triathletes usually are attracted to quadrathlon wishing to balance their fitness with the addition of the upper-body strength-endurance sport of flatwater kayaking. The time ratio of upper-body to lower-body dominated sports is equal in quadrathlon. Swimming and running represent finesse endurance sports while cycling and now kayaking add an equal strength component to create a true test of fitness in the new millenium. The possibility of quadrathlon joining triathlon and perhaps duathlon (run and bike) in the Olympics would offer a combined dynamic sport of Multiathlon or Polyathlon."

Interested in Quadratlon?

The Quadrathlon scene in Great Britain.

Quadrathlon came from many quarters, the Scottish Canoe triathlons being one of the first influences. Furthermore many poor swimmers or good canoeists wanted a bigger challenge incorporating their strengths. At the same time other European nations had formed Quadrathlon associations, most affiliated to their country’s Triathlon associations. Inaugural world "Diamond Man" World Championships were held in 1992. Diamond Man Distances were Swim 5km Kayak 20km Cycle 100k Run 21km. In much the same way as many Triathlon distances evolved from the Iron man distance, in Quadrathlon half and quarter Diamond man distances developed, and the European cup series at half Diamond Man distance, was inaugurated.

The Sport of Quadrathlon in Great Britain had been running in a laissez faire fashion for many years until in 1996 the British Quadrathlon Association was formed. The competitors wanted a sport incorporating more freedom than other similar associations. They wanted a mixture of distances, surfaces and variable combinations of the four disciplines. Thus Quadrathlon incorporates Swimming, Canoeing, Cycling and Running but not necessarily in that order. The way Quadrathlon was initially defined was a test of physical and psychological endurance, Normally including the four sports but also incorporating kayak multisport.

As well as competition, being open to all standards of athlete without distinction, age groupers were to be acknowledged for their real contribution to the sport. And most of all they wanted Quadrathlon to stay a fun sport, no officious controlling body, just facilitating representatives. So the B.Q.A. executive committee is not in charge of the sport, they merely reflect and respond to what their members demand. Their function being to give backing to race organizers, deal with publicity, information, funding and legal matters.

Australians and South Africans won the early World Diamond Man Championships, in part by their use on the breaking surf of Ibiza, of wave skis. (Sealed toped boats like surf boards but 20 foot + long) There are also shorter more stable versions nicknamed Pink Pigs, for paddlers with less sea canoeing experience.

But once the Europeans, including the British, also caught on to skis they have quickly caught up. The Hungarians and Czechs being dominant recently helped by high levels of sponsorship from firms like Lada. As the Czech World Champion told me, "Remember I am a professional Quadrathlete I only train or race." Despite having no professionals and few sponsored athletes the British have done very well at world level.

Tracy Bryden taking the female World Championship out right, away from Andrea Spitzer the several times champion and glamour model from Germany, with a fantastic run that made up twenty five minutes. She was such an outsider that Eurosport had completely ignored her in favor of more celebrated ladies, until the British insisted she could win. Eddie Goodridge won the over 45 World Championship, while Ruth Fletcher also won the over 45 Ladies World Championship.

Additionally several men, such as Andy Fletcher, have placed highly in the top ten and featured strongly in the Eurosport coverage. Over in the age groupers Great Britain has taken 12 gold’s 10 silver and 5 bronze medals in six years, probably the best of any nation. Few of these led from the start, but showed real guts to hang on and come from behind to win. Furthermore we have won or been placed in most years in the relay event that is run in conjunction.

In the European Cup Series, despite the handicap of ‘working’ racers having to travel to several races overseas each year to qualify, the British have done remarkably well. For example in 1997 Keith Longney placed 5th Mark Nixon 6th Peter Hart 7th Mark Laithwaite 12th and Ted Martin 20th making us the second most successful nation. See the report of High Seas fail to Quell GB Medal Haul for the 1998 low down.

As well as coming in the first three our competitors have gained a reputation of being the gustiest racers at international level (or the maddest). One racer was stung very badly several times by jellyfish in the sea but still went on to finish.

And in the Diamond Man World Championship Eric Hatliff 60/65 and Keith Scrivener 50/55 (Who had food poisoning, diarrhea and sickness all the night before) Not only started but finished despite being followed by an ambulance and police escort for the full 100k bike and 21k run. Many younger competitors had given up way before out of exhaustion but Eric was heard to say to the doctor in the ambulance "your not getting me mate". This shows the spirit of our competitors who may not be the fastest in the word but are the most enthusiastic.

Captain Ted Martin has been quoted as saying, "Quadrathlon is the natural form of racing, incorporating as it does, propelling you on and in the water and on land running or with human powered mechanical assistance".

Ted has not only World Diamond Man Champion in his age group, (40/44) but also organized the remarkable Army Invitation Quadrathlon at Aldershot. Which had a mass of competitors (services & civilian) 95% who had never before competed in any multi discipline event. This success has been rewarded in 1998 by the award to his race of the prestigious European Quadrathlon Sprint Championships, which was held at Bassingbourne Barracks, Royston, Hertfordshire.

The Quadrathlon scene has also been lucky to have the use of the really beautiful Bluebell Lakes at Tansor nr Oundle Northants. These Lakes are big enough to allow all distance swimming in clean water plus long canoe courses. And the huge surrounding private park is ideal for the runs and is in fact all but the longest cycle distances can also be accommodated off road, away from all traffic.

Quadrathlons do not just happen in the Summer period there is now a winter series, The four race, Wadenhoe Winter Challenge, each comprising of two x two miles cross country run, a two mile canoe and a six mile cross country mountain bike section. Out door swimming is obviously out as it runs from December to February, but the very hard racing really keeps the fitness and interest levels up. See reports of the 98-99 series.

The competitors who run the Quadrathlon scene hope that more competitors will join them in really enjoying their sport, without on the other hand, it becoming too big that it forgets it is competitor participation that matters

Why TRY Quadrathlon?

As a change in your training routine

As another challenge, you know you can paddle but can you do a QUAD?

Because although they can be competitive they are also low key.

Because it is a relatively new sport there is more chance of getting a place in an international team.

Age groupers are especially welcomed, even by the very best (note I don’t say Elite’s) . You are open to 40 years then the age groups go up in 5 year bands.

Quadrathlon competition can give you back that buzz that you had when you started getting fit.

No canoe?

- Contact your nearest canoe club.

- Contact the BQA who may be able to help with advice.

Come to Ibiza on a Quadrathlon Training Holiday and we can arrange a kayak :)