Joep Staps
Age: 31
Hometown: Tillburg, the Netherlands
'Work hard. Crush goals.' Joep Staps
Joep's Story
I played football and unfortunately got injured. I started coaching and in the meanwhile built up my fitness again. During that process, I signed up for a local duathlon for fun. I liked it so much that I started training seriously and was invited to the national team. After the duathlon I started to swim and got involved in triathlon as well.
I like to challenge myself to improve by setting goals. Although those goals are ambitious, I like the journey towards goals the most. I am aware of the luck I have to be able to train daily, travel the world and enjoy sports and learn so much from the highs and the lows. That is what shapes me and what I will use for the rest of my life.


GREATEST CHALLENGES:
Swimming, no just kidding. Being injured and coming back from setbacks is difficult; however, it makes the journey even more beautiful.
SEASON GOALS:
World Elite Cross Championships and racing 70.3 in the PRO field.
KEY RESULTS:
9th at the Elite World Cross Triathlon Championship.
STRONGEST DISCIPLINE:
Running.


TOP 3 SWIM TIPS FOR SOMEONE GETTING STARTED IN TRIATHLON:
• Swim together: that’s more fun.
• Always end your pool session with 1 lane focusing on the perfect stroke/technique.
• Enjoy open water swims, don’t forget safety first (coloured swim cap, use a buoy).
WHICH ZONE3 KIT DO YOU RECOMMEND THE MOST/HAVE FOUND THE MOST USEFUL:
By far the Vanquish-X. I was a big fan of the Vanquish however the new –X version feels like a second skin and provides buoyancy exactly where you need it.
FUN FACT:
I have a dog (border collie) who loves to swim.