Harrison Rolls-King was a competitive swimmer at the time he started competing in triathlons at the age of ten,

HARRISON ROLLS-KING was a competitive swimmer so when he started out in triathlon at the age of ten it seemed like a natural progression. His ability in the water helped him to quickly make a name for himself and he won several regional events.

Harrison has now been competing in professional triathlon races for ten years. The British Triathlon National Super Series has seen him compete in events throughout the UK but he has also raced in countries including Spain and Holland. In this interview he talks to us about his career highlights to date and the races he’s looking forward to in the months ahead. 

Harrison has worked with the same triathlon coach for ten years.

When did you start out in triathlon and who encouraged you to give the sport a go?

I first competed in triathlon aged ten, racing on the South East Regional Series. Originally a squad swimmer aged eight at my local swim club, my now coach of over ten years, Glenn Cook was also head coach of Team Bodyworks, my local triathlon club. With the addition of a lot of the swimming squad being triathletes, I was introduced to to the sport and it became a natural progression.

What were some of your earliest triathlon successes?

As a young kid coming in to the sport, I was county/regional level swimmer, often first out the water in the regional triathlon series races. My first triathlon finished in a truly exciting sprint finish, just like Nicola Spirig and Lisa Norden in London 2012, only my result ended in a tie for first place. I went on to win multiple more regional series races and claimed the Tristar 1 South East Regional Series Title.

Two years later I was able to reclaim my regional series title as a Tristar 2 and in doing so, qualified for my first Inter-Regional Championships gaining my first experience of national level racing.

Harrison had almost instant success when he started competing in triathlons.

At which discipline of triathlon do you excel at and at which do you have to work the hardest?

I believe my cycling and swimming are two that I excel in equally whereas my running is slightly weaker and something which I am continuously working on to improve and be the best all round, complete athlete I can.

Where in the world has the sport taken you and what have been some of the highlights?

As much as I love exploring the UK through the British Triathlon National Super Series, travelling abroad always makes things that little bit more exciting!

One key highlight for me has to be my first ETU European Junior Elite Cup in Holten, Holland. It was great experience to race against those from across the Continent.

However, my biggest highlights over the last seven years has been my winter training camps with the regional squad to the Canary Islands, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. It gives a great opportunity to get back in my Blueseventy Helix wetsuit, exploring the crystal clear open water. The addition of great climbs to ride and endless adventurous trail it makes for a fantastic training block with fantastic training pals.

Harrison feels he is strongest in the bike and swim disciplines of the sport.

What do you see as your biggest triathlon triumphs?

Race results aside, it has to be my consistency in training and racing. Consistency is a key aspect for success in most sports, however, more so in endurance type activities. Having been training and racing over the last decade, it has presented its own challenges to unsettle my equilibrium and consistency. Overcoming and embracing these is part of sport and life but I couldn’t do it with out the amazing support network I have around me on a daily basis. Studying, training and working is a huge juggling act with people often jumping to the phrase “I don’t know how you do it!” when I tell them my weekly schedule. Balancing all aspects of life is tricky at times, but to get consistency it takes time to get the right balance.

How hard are you currently training and what races and events do you have coming up in the near future?

Training is going really well at the moment. Having the summer away from my studies is great to build in more recovery between my 20-hour training schedule. I have recently made full use of living by the sea, just finishing my two week sea swimming block. I find it really useful for kick starting the back end of my season.

Next, I will be racing at Hever Castle Triathlon, part of the Castle Series. I am really excited to race at Hever Castle Triathlon as it will be my second Olympic/Standard distance race of the year.