Author: Ray Boardman

Ray has competed in triathlons from sprint to ironman distance (both IM Taupo and Challenge Wanaka). Consequently he is aware of the importance of balancing training with lifestyle, thus complimenting other important aspects of an athlete’s life (family, work, study commitments etc…). • Entering your first triathlon? • Stepping up to a longer distance? • Looking to go faster? • Wanting to turn previous negatives into positives? Ray has coached athletes to achieve these and more. Training programmes are accessible online, so athletes can be located anywhere and still reap the benefits of Ray’s coaching. Contact him to discuss how he can assist you to achieve your goals.
Double Smooth Pedal Stroke cycling cadence workout with Qwik Kiwi Coaching

Sunday Smart-Trainer Session: Double Smooth Pedal Stroke Trainer Session

Improve your pedalling technique with the Double Smooth Pedal Stroke Trainer Session. This 60-minute Level II cycling workout combines single-leg drills with two progressive cadence pyramids, building beyond 110rpm. Develop smoother pedalling, better cadence control and cycling efficiency without turning a technique-focused session into another demanding high-intensity workout.

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Saturday Swim Session descending swim and Pull Buoy ladder workout

Saturday Swim Session: Descending Swim & Pull Ladder

Build freestyle endurance and technique with this descending Swim & Pull ladder workout. Alternate freestyle with Pull Buoy repetitions as the distances progressively decrease, before finishing with kick work. Choose from three options—1,800m, 2,700m or 3,700m—and focus on consistent swimming, a strong catch and maintaining quality as fatigue builds.

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cycling cadence

Don’t Fear Easy Gears: Why Spinning Faster Can Make You a Better Cyclist

Learn why easier gears can make you a better cyclist. Discover how gear selection influences cadence, torque and technique, why 90–100rpm is useful for most riding, and how training across different cadence ranges can develop smoother pedalling, better control and greater adaptability on the road and indoor trainer.

View More Don’t Fear Easy Gears: Why Spinning Faster Can Make You a Better Cyclist
Ironman 70.3 bike

Stay Aero When It Counts: Save Energy on Your Ironman 70.3 Bike

Your aero position can help you ride faster without simply pushing harder. Learn why staying aero when it counts, practising your race position, managing headwinds intelligently, and balancing aerodynamics with comfort and control can improve bike efficiency and help preserve valuable energy for the 21.1km Ironman 70.3 run.

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Catch Up Drill

Why I Rarely Use Catch-Up Drill — And When It Can Still Be Useful

Catch-up drill is one of swimming’s best-known technique drills, but it isn’t right for every swimmer. Coach Ray explains why catch-up can reinforce overgliding and dead spots in freestyle, explores the Swim Smooth approach, and shows when catch-up can still be a valuable tool for improving your swimming technique.

View More Why I Rarely Use Catch-Up Drill — And When It Can Still Be Useful
Ironman race pace

Ironman Pacing: Train Your Race Pace Before Race Day

Your Ironman pacing strategy shouldn’t be tested for the first time on race day. Learn how long rides, brick sessions and race-specific training can help you practise your target intensity, understand how it feels under fatigue, refine your pacing strategy and arrive at the start line confident in your plan.

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marathon nutrition

Practise Your Race-Day Breakfast: Don’t Leave Marathon Nutrition to Chance

Your race-day breakfast should be practised just like your pacing and marathon fuelling. Learn how to test what you eat, how much you need and when to eat before race day. Rehearsing breakfast during long runs can reduce uncertainty, avoid unwanted stomach problems and make marathon morning feel comfortably familiar.

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experienced triathlon training

Monday’s Brick: USA Triathlon’s Experienced Sprint/Olympic Brick

Build stronger bike-to-run performance with USA Triathlon’s Experienced Sprint/Olympic Brick. This 90-minute session progresses from Level II through Level III to Level IV on the bike before transitioning into a controlled Level III run. Develop pacing discipline, fatigue resistance and confidence running strongly after a demanding bike leg.

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race-specific training

Train for the Triathlon Course You’re Actually Racing

Prepare for the triathlon course you’re actually racing. Learn how terrain, weather, open water, hills, road surfaces and race conditions should influence your training. By making key sessions increasingly race-specific, you can improve your pacing, skills, fuelling and confidence while reducing unnecessary surprises when race day finally arrives.

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Bike Strength Workout

Sunday Smart-Trainer Session: Emma Snowsill’s Bike Strength Session -2

Develop cycling-specific strength with Emma Snowsill’s Bike Strength Session -2. This 58-minute smart-trainer workout combines four five-minute Level IV efforts with a deliberately low 65–75 rpm cadence, challenging you to produce controlled power, increase muscular demand, maintain smooth technique and repeat quality as fatigue builds through the main set.

View More Sunday Smart-Trainer Session: Emma Snowsill’s Bike Strength Session -2