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John Hellemans never planned to become one of New Zealand’s leading triathlon coaches and admits that he “got into coaching by accident, really”. 

With a background in sports medicine and a career as an elite athlete, he certainly had all the credentials to take on such a role.  

As a triathlete, John represented New Zealand at many World Championships as well as the Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990, and has won numerous Open New Zealand Triathlon titles. In 2007, he was crowned World Masters Champion for Standard Distance for the seventh time. 

“I found that my background in medicine was very useful too, as I understand the physiology of sport,” John explains. “Not only do I apply this knowledge to the athletes I’m working with, but I have practised it myself, so I know the effects it can have and the improvements it can make.” 

Teaming up with Erin Baker (Multiple World Champion Triathlete) back in the early 80s was the defining moment for John’s coaching career. “We got together when triathlon was just starting out, to look at ways to prepare athletes for multi-disciplinary events. Erin was already competing at an elite level and had a real vision for the sport. She was totally motivated to get to the top of the then still very young sport,” says John. 

“Because I was busy with work and family at the time, I wasn’t able to get too involved with the experimental side of the training,” John recalls. “Erin was happy to be a guinea pig and trial different training techniques, and report back to me with her findings.”