Twenty-six years ago, Paul Hekimian and six friends sat around a table and threw in $200 apiece to start the LA Tri Club.
Paul had raced his first tri that same year and was hooked. “I just started rallying everyone I met to get in to triathlon,” he says. “We grew the club to 800 people in the first year!”
For any triathlete living in the Los Angeles area, it’s hard to imagine a time without the club. For decades, it’s been a beacon of camaraderie, welcoming newcomers, challenging hard-core racers, putting on events like pro athlete talks and year-end parties, and, of course, group workouts—including the famous Friday Morning Ocean Swim at Tower 26 in Santa Monica, a free weekly event open to all, every May through September.
Today, the club remains a thriving hub. And Paul, a life-long entrepreneur at who’s equally at home founding high-end women’s swimwear stores as he is beekeeping for Hollwood celebs, remains committed to its stewardship. In fact, he’s still positively giddy talking about it.
“Being able to pay it forward, to see other people enjoy what we’ve got to enjoy the last 26 years, that’s what keeps us going,” Paul says. “It still inspires me to get someone from the couch across the finish line—we’re changing lives.”
Below, Paul shares his expert insights on creating a thriving triathlon club. Hint: It’s the people. And in the water.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY
“We’re not obsessed with podium placements. We’re not obsessed with training ‘till you puke. We like to swim, bike, run, and play. We like to have fun.”
In addition to coached workouts (see below), the club has a vibrant social calendar, including activities like the annual Classy Cowboy Party, and monthly ‘First Thursday’ meetups at different eateries.
SAY YES TO SWAG
When Paul and his friends first started the club, Paul was friends with pro triathletes who hooked him up with gear. He wanted that for everyone. He was adamant club dues would go right back to the members.
“Members love swag. I love swag. I loved getting free stuff from the pros who would stay with me when they came into town, and I thought, everyone should enjoy that sort of swag!”
From gels and training belts to gear and race discounts, LA Tri Club leadership worked hard making connections so all members would get the ‘pro treatment.’
SAY YES TO THE DRESS
Before there were dating apps and magazine articles about run clubs being the new dating apps, there was the LA Tri Club. It still reigns as a de facto dating ground, because people who show up to 6:30am Friday ocean swims are keepers. “The amount of marriages that have come from people who met in the club?” Paul says, “Dozens!”
GET COACHED
“Our coaching program has really taken the club to another level,” Paul says. In addition to the club’s “Passion” membership, which includes several coached workouts per week, members can opt for group or 1 on 1 coaching memberships as well, for more detailed, personalized training.
SUPPORT THE SWIM
For many, the swim can be the most intimidating part of triathlon. The LA Tri Club understands this and has created a robust swim training program to prep members for the start line.
LA Tri offers its own Masters program (“Our Masters swim program is on fire!” Paul says.), as well as the Friday Morning Ocean Swim at Tower 26, which often draws upwards of 150 people every week during the summer months—and where athletes can demo ROKA wetsuits.
The club also offers a coached Ocean 101 water safety program, and swim stroke analysis, so by the time any member toes the line, they’re ready to crush the swim.
“The emails I get from people who are thankful that the club has changed their lives,” Paul says, “that’s what motivates me.”
We’re so proud to support the LA Tri Club and all the clubs welcoming triathletes around the world and helping them thrive.
