From Beach Road to the Paralympics - St Kilda Victoria

FRIDAY SEP 4 / 2015 / by Andrew Talati
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Stuart Tripp_from Beach Road to Paralympics - St Kilda

In 1994 Stuart Tripp was involved in a life-changing car accident. At only 24 years’ of age and after weeks in a coma he woke to learn that his right leg had been amputated, he was suffering head trauma and failing kidneys. Through an emotionally and physically draining recovery Stuart took up hand-cycling, channelling his positive energy into a sport he now excels at.

Stuart Tripp Training on beach Road

Starting in November 2003, Stuart rode from Albert to St Kilda, thinking that was a big ride, and then progressed to Albert to Port Melbourne. He then engaged a trainer to assist he get in better shape. He was 110kgs at the time, ‘I was a really big boy, not very healthy at all’.

Stuart Tripp in actionStuart Tripp riding in Melbourne

Stuart’s riding season runs from April to September each year and often involves one or two months overseas each year. When in the strength training cycle Stuart will train in the gym three times a week with the usual being twice a week. He rides every week to manage weight, clocking up 300kms a week. ‘I do 50 here, 50 there, a few 20s. Doesn’t really matter as long as I get the 300 in for the week.’ His training changes when it gets closed to a goal for the season when it becomes more focused on effort-based training.

Stuart trains with his personal coach and is part of the Victorian Institute of Sport team. Through VIS he has access to a wide range of professional services including their gym, physio, dietician and sport scientists. He is also a valued member of the St Kilda Cycling Club.

Career Highlights

2010 Made his first Australian team for the World Championships

2011 Began riding a kneeling bike*
2012 Competed as part of the Australian Team at the London Paralympics
2013 Placed 4th in the Road Race at the World Championships, Baie-Comeau
2014 Won the Men’s Hand-cycling individual time trial at the Australian National Para-cycling Championships

*Riding the kneeling bike uses a range of different muscles. It requires more upper body strength and shoulders. It provides more power but is less aerodynamic.

The Future

So far, Stuart has ridden in Spain, Canada and across the United States, with Switzerland planned for 2015 but there’s another location on the radar…Rio! The 2016 Rio Paralympics are the goal but what does he think of his chances? ‘Australian paracyling team is a team of champions. I’m the lowest on the totem. I’ll work on more strength and drop a few more kilos. 84-85kgs is where we think is the optimum for me and we’ll see how we go.’

Who’s he looking to beat? ‘There’s only about five or six main riders in the game. Hopefully I can be better than them.’ On the target list is ex-formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi (Italy), Ernst van Dyk (South Africa) and Oscar ‘Oz’ Sanchez (US).

Cycling at the Paralympics

‘Cycling is a relatively new sport for Paralympians, with the visually impaired athletes the first group to take part. Cerebral palsy and athletes with limb loss or limb deficiency followed, joining the competition in 1984.

Cycling is divided into track and road events. Visually impaired athletes compete on tandem bicycles with a sighted team mate (pilot).  These athletes can compete in both track and road events.

Cyclists with limb loss or deficiency, spinal cord or nerve damage; or cerebral palsy/ acquired brain injury or similar conditions compete in track and road events using bicycles modified for their needs. Riders may use a standard bike, handcycle or trike depending on their level of impairment.’

Para-cycling involved the following events and disciplines:

  • Track events – Time Trial, Individual Pursuit, Team Sprint, Tandem Sprint
  • Road events – Road Race, Time Trial

More about Stuart Tripp via Cycling Australia

‘A jack of all trades, Stuart is a qualified plumber and also has degrees in science and adult learning and development. He also wrote his own book about his struggles and his journey through life which was published in 2007. He focuses on the importance of the journey rather than the finishing point, and highlights writing as an outlet for recovery. 

To prepare himself for a day of competition, Stuart listens to his wedding playlist on the way there, citing his wife as the most influential person in his life. His ultimate goal is simple yet inspiring – to win.’

Stuart Tripp at TDU on Old Willunga Hill being interviewed by Anthony TannStuart Tripp at the TDU on  Old Willunga Hill being interviewed by Anthony Tan from SBS

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