Who We Are
THE HISTORY STUFF:
​
In 2015, co-owners and head coaches, Amy and Laura, wanted to inspire more women to join in with one of their favourite sports; triathlon. To their surprise, 150 women signed up to take part in Guernsey's first-ever women-only, inclusive triathlon. A community was born.
Nearly 10 years later, Try A Tri Guensey, a Not For Profit community organisation, has delivered events and low-cost training for over 2000 people in Guernsey. It also inspired Amy and Laura to start their own business in 2018. Strive would become a full-time outlet for their passion to work with people striving to become a little happier and healthier.
THE MISSION STUFF:
​
We have a lifelong love for multi-sport (swim, bike, run, and strength) because it helped change our lives. We want others to experience the same and our mission is to offer places to learn, grow, and discover the joy of multi-sport in inclusive, fun, and friendly environments.
​
OUR VALUES:
-
We build flexibility, community, and connection with our local environment into everything we do so that anyone can join in, feel welcome, and feel inspired. ​
​
-
We work hard to deliver the highest-quality coaching that puts our clients at the centre. That means getting to know you and balancing the need for progress with the desire to have fun. ​​
​
-
We keep our prices as low as we can because we want people to be able to join us.
​
-
We prioritise safety and comfort across all of our group environments, making sure our coaches are competent and qualified, follow procedures, and believe that good technique trumps all.
​​
-
Our love for nature, our environment, and our community means we do everything we can to limit our impact and find ways to encourage others to do the same, including:​
1. In the summer we offer initiatives to reward clients who arrive at training sessions using alternative transport
2. Where we can, we recycle old kit instead of buying new
3. We only order merchandise to meet orders i.e. we don't buy in bulk
4. We ride our e-bikes instead of driving our cars
5. We teach our younger members about our precious marine environments, encouraging a love and respect for it
​
THE TEAM
​
Laura Fry, Co-Owner & Head Coach
​
AS AN ATHLETE:
Laura came to multi sport through her love of the outdoors and her experience managing depression and anxiety, She loves to swim in the open water, run in the wilderness (mud is her favourite surface), ride her bike and most of all, lift weights! Through finding strength in her own body, Laura has found strength of mind too and she's keen to help others do the same.
​
AS A COACH:
Laura leads the junior section of Strive and is passionate about creating positive experiences in sport for young people. Her aim is to help more children build life-long relationships with the water through swimming, triathlon and lifesaving. Laura also runs Strive Strength sessions and Learn Front Crawl courses for adults, both of which combine her love for technique!
​
QUALIFICATIONS:
BTF Level 2 Coaching, Swim England Level 2 Teacher, Level 3 Personal Training, Kinetic Revolution Certified Run Coach, British Weightlifting Level 1 Coach
Amy Critchlow, Co-Owner & Head Coach
​
AS AN ATHLETE:
Amy is a triathlete, surfer and marine biologist. She loves the buzz of race days, the structure of a training plan but equally values ditching the interval session for a play in the surf. Amy recently won Team Gold and Individual Bronze in the Guernsey Island Games Triathlon in 2023. She has also competed at Age Group championships in Triathlon, travelling across the globe in her GB trisuit.
​
AS A COACH:
Amy leads the Adult section of Strive and is passionate about making training fun and effective for everyone. She coaches a number of athletes, 1-2-1, who are training for specific endurance goals - from Iron Man to ultra marathons - and uses her wealth of experience to design athlete-centred plans for each individual. During the Open Water season, Amy takes the lead in designing memorable and safe experiences for swimmers that build fitness, skill, confidence and new friendships.
​
QUALIFICATIONS:
BTF Level 2 Diploma, Swim England Level 2 Teacher, LSSM Soft Tissue Therapist, Kinetic Revolution Certified Run Coach
Si Marley, Adult Swim Coach
Si is a keen open-water swimmer, surfer, and Ironman Triathlete with a passion for exploring the waters around our Island.
During the summer season, Si designs swim journeys that keep our open-water swimmers inspired, challenged, and always safe. Si also coaches adult swimmers during Friday and Sunday sessions sharing his knowledge of open water swim technique with the community.
James Dickinson, Adult Swim Coach
James is a marathon swimmer and Freediving instructor. With experience competing in Age Group world championships and a love for the water, James works with adults and juniors who want to make progress in their technique, fitness, and endurance in the water.
Emma Feak, Junior Swim Teacher
Emma is a keen open -water swimmer and primary school teacher. She brings her love for the water and passion for teaching to Strive Junior Swim Fit sessions.
