Bermuda’s young triathletes have been praised by a top American coach.

Michael Harlow is on island to hold a triathlon camp attended by 59 budding athletes at Clearwater Beach and has noted the progress made since he helped them prepare for the 2024 Carifta Triathlon & Aquathlon Championships in Barbados.

“The most amazing thing is that I’ve seen the progress that’s happened over the past year,” Harlow told The Royal Gazette.

“I keep commending them because we haven’t had to go over the same things we went over last year. They took whatever I taught them last year, worked all year and they look a lot better.

“I came and worked with them twice last year and I feel like most of them are my athletes away from home, so I feel a great allegiance to them.

“Some of them came and did a race in Virginia in May and it was like having my family together. It was really special and I’m looking forward to being with them again in August.”

Harlow, a former coach of Nick Pilgrim, who won the national sprint triathlon championship last week, is hoping to take some Bermudians to race at the United States Triathlon Youth & Junior Nationals, which will be held in West Chester, Ohio, from August 1 to 3.

“I think some of them are coming to race at the US nationals,” he said.

“A number of them placed well in the race I did in May, so I put in an application for them to race at the US national championships. We’re still waiting to hear back on that, but we’re excited about the potential there and I think they’ll be able to get in.

“They need to be finding as much competition as they can. I know some of them are trying to qualify for the Youth Olympics, so they need to race against some of the best competition in the world.

“They need to be around that and see what they’re capable of. Dylan Eiselt and Rory Shepherd did well in the race in Richmond, so I think they could be right there at the top.”

Harlow, the founder and director of Endorphin Fitness, brought two coaches and six of his athletes to the camp in Bermuda.

“I brought five athletes from the United States and one from Barbados,” the coach said.

“I got the encouragement from Bermuda and they know it’s good for their athletes to be around athletes from other countries.

“It’s also great for my athletes to come and have different experiences, explore a beautiful country as well as having an opportunity to train with people they don’t train with every day.

“The triathlon community here has been welcoming and everything they do to make our stay amazing is just so incredible.

“My daughter, Ellie, is in Bermuda for the second time. Last year was a transformative trip for her; she came off this high and placed really well at the nationals.”

Erin Horil, one of the coaches making her second visit to Bermuda, is also feeling the love from the island’s triathlon family.

“Bermuda is incredible and the triathlon community has been so welcoming,” she said.

“I think it takes a special place and a special group of people to make you feel at home.

“It’s really valuable as an athlete to get input from different coaches. I know as an athlete, I’m always looking for more opportunities to learn from new people, and I hope we can provide that to them by being a different voice.

“I think they’re doing great. They’re quick to implement new skills and they’re always up for a challenge, and it’s cool to see them compete in the open water.”

Teagan Miller was included at the eleventh hour, and he is delighted to be working with the youngest members of the group.

“I got put on this trip last minute and I’m so thankful that it happened,” he said.

“First and foremost, it’s a beautiful country. I can’t believe how amazing the conditions have been while we’ve been here.

“I’m working with the youngest group that we have here, and that’s always been something I enjoy the most. I love getting the children excited and I don’t even have to try that hard.

“There’s been an exuberant spirit with my group. Everybody is gung-ho, ready to try their best and they’ve been receptive to the little things I’ve pointed out that we could do a little better.”

Ellie Harlow has been awed by the island’s beauty on her second visit.

“So far Bermuda has been the nicest place I’ve ever been to and I’ve enjoyed it so much,” the 15-year-old said.

“Training with other young athletes that I’m not used to training with has been a great experience. It gets me to push myself more.”

Chrysanthi Euripides has made the most of her time in Bermuda to improve her triathlon while also enjoying the island’s spectacular sites.

“My favourite part has been meeting other triathletes and just also exploring Bermuda,” she said.

“With any training camp, it’s great to get undivided time to focus on training with no distractions. It’s also great to train with athletes I don’t get to see everyday in a new environment.”

Zack Gill, from Barbados, has come to seek better ways of challenging himself to improve as a triathlete.

“Training with other people makes you push yourself more out of your comfort zone,” the 13-year-old said.

“It’s going to help me by making me physically and mentally stronger.”

Eiselt jumped straight into the camp conducted by Harlow after returning form a camp in Durango, Colorado, and the 15-year-old has seen vast improvement in his running under the American coach.

“It’s fun for me to dive into another camp because I get to use stuff I learnt in Colorado here,” Eiselt said.

“I feel my running is getting better through working with Michael Harlow. I understand a lot about the running he’s talking about.”

Sanchez Smith is another camp participant recently returning from altitude training in Colorado.

“It’s been great working with coach Michael Harlow because I’ve trained under him before and I’m familiar with his coaching style,” the 14-year-old said.

“I like him, he’s a really cool guy and he gives us good information. I feel that my running technique has improved a lot since last year’s camp, the techniques that he has introduced to me have helped me to be a better runner.

“Having the foreign athletes participating in the camp is definitely motivating. They bring an energy that helps to push the local athletes harder. Overall, the camp is a great experience and I look forward to these next couple of days.”

Isla Cooze, who was the junior female champion at the national sprint championships last week is grateful to work with Harlow in preparation for Carifta, in which she is aiming to do better than last year.

“It’s nice to have another coach coming down so we can refine our skills before Carifta,” the 14-year-old said.

“I think my bike and run are getting better from working with this coach and I’m working on my swim as well.

“It’s been nice to meet new people because I’m always with my Bermuda team-mates. I think some of them are a lot faster, but it’s nice to have new people to try to keep up with and push myself.”

Ronan Davidge believes that the mentorship he received from Harlow a year ago gave him an edge at Carifta.

“These coaches have been brilliant to work with,” the 12-year-old said.

“We’re really lucky and privileged to have them come from overseas to help us prepare for Carifta. The same coaches worked with us last year and because of that, I think I had a head start over some people because of the training.

“My swimming was not great at all until I went to his camp before Carifta. He really helped me improve, gave me tips on dolphin diving and how to improve my stroke by making it a bit quicker and more efficient.

“Getting to train with some of the older athletes from overseas this year has helped me to push myself beyond my limits.”