Chris and Nicole van Beurden not only share the same last name, they also share a passion for swimming, biking and running. The brother and sister are both U of T students who compete in the grueling triathlon-an Olympic sport that consists of a 1500m swim, followed by a 40km bike, followed again by a 10km run. While the end of the race brings the athletes back to the starting line, the van Beurden’s are on a straight path to the top.
Chris, 20, and Nicole, 22, have been competing in triathlons for the last six years and have quickly risen amongst the young elite triathletes in Canada, earning spots on the junior national team. Chris, in his second year of the BPHE program (Faculty of Phys Ed), recently placed third in the inaugural Canadian University Triathlon Championships in Montreal this past September. He has seven other top ten finishes this year alone.
But older sister Nicole hasn’t let her kid brother have all the glory. Nicole, a fourth year student in the BPHE program, has earned a place on the podium in seven races over the past two years. All of these top three finishes, not to mention a memorable fourth place at the World Championships in Cancun last year.
To a sport which requires years and years of experience and training, the talented Chris and Nicole are surprisingly green.
“We really got serious about it [triathlons] two years ago,” explains Chris. “We both ran with the junior track club here. So, before, we mainly had a running focus.”
All of that changed six years ago when they went shopping for new bikes and were introduced to Dennis Mizerski. Little did they know Mizerski was a sponsor and cycling coach of the Bulldog Sports Triathlon team.
“He [Mizerski] said, ‘you should come out and ride with us twice a week.’ Then he started giving us these tips and the next thing you know…” begins Chris, “he’s sending us to Manitoba [for training],” Nicole finishes.
Since triathlons are not officially recognized by the CIS and OUA, the van Beurden meeting with Mizerski was a blessing. “He’s been there every step of the way,” says Chris. “They’ve provided us with coaching, equipment, time with a nutritionist, and help with race expenses.”
The owner of the Racer Sportif cycling store and founder of the Aquila brand of racing bikes, Mizerski immediately saw the potential in Chris and Nicole. “At the beginning I gave them tips on the basics of cycling, taught them how to be proper cyclists and they picked it up very quickly. From their behaviour and focus, I knew they were going to go places.”
Veteran support for the van Beurden duo has come mainly from Bulldog team member Len Gushe. A veteran of international triathlons and regarded as one of the best in Canada, Gushe remembers meeting the Van Beurdens: “I met them on their spring break where instead of opting for the typical two weeks on the beach or studying furiously for finals, they came to Florida to train for two weeks.”
“He’s one of the best in the world, plus he’s a doctor. So he’s become our ‘go-to’ guy,” says Nicole.
Though their accomplishments are quite astounding, what’s most amazing is their commitment and dedication to both training and school. On top of the 30 hours a week of school, they each devote over 30 hours a week to training and each have part time jobs to help pay for school and races. Both Chris and Nicole are also members of the varsity cross country and track teams.
Friends of the siblings are amazed at their daily regimen. “My friends think I’m crazy, and wonder why I don’t die from doing all of this,” says Chris.
Mizerski, who is now their cycling coach also comments on their dedication to improving. “Over the last three years that I’ve been coaching, they’ve never been late or missed any training. And now they’re beating people who they used to look up to.”
Being from the same family, one might expect some ‘triathlete’ blood in the van Beurdens, but Nicole and Chris both quickly shake their heads at the notion. “No no no, it’s not like that. But when we were kids, our mom would kick us out of the house and we would just ride our bikes up and down the street,” reminisces Nicole.
Though their parents aren’t joining them in the races, both remain extremely supportive and are careful not to pressure the talented siblings. “We have a lot of fun doing it, and we don’t have ‘hockey’ parents who are forcing us to do it,” clarifies Chris. “And that’s how the coaches are too. It’s all a matter of having fun.”
“Our dad drives us everywhere, not to force us to train, but because we don’t have our [driver’s] licenses,” Nicole adds.
This year’s world championship is being held in New Zealand, but the van Beurdens, sadly, won’t be attending. And it’s not because they can’t drive themselves to the airport. “We couldn’t go,” explains Chris, “it’s during exams.”
