Ribbink rising through the junior triathlon ranks
There’s a lot to be said for tagging along as the youngest of three sisters.
Kadence Ribbink, better known as Kitty, knows all about that, coming from the family she does. But far from being the tag-along any longer, the 16-year-old from Durban has carved out an impressive path of her own, rising through the junior triathlon ranks to earn selection to the team representing South Africa at the Commonwealth Youth Games which kicked off in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, 4 August.
To say she was born with sporting genes would be an understatement.
“I come from a family of big wave riders, national surfers, an international boxing referee, national lifesaver, a jockey, national fitness bikini athlete and national obstacle racers,” she explained.
But it was triathlon that caught the eye of Ribbink’s two older sisters, Kayla and Kira, who eventually earned scholarships to American universities through the sport.
“My folks knew nothing about triathlon when my sisters started, it’s all been trial and error,” she explained. “I’m the last born, my sisters are 19 months apart, so they were always training together in some sport or another.
“I was the one always wanting to join not realising what they were actually doing was hard work. My parents let us try everything and anything as long as we gave it our all for one full season.”
Ribbink made the most of that opportunity and while this year has been dedicated purely to triathlon, she has previously represented KwaZulu-Natal in surfing and indoor netball, KZN Schools in water polo and played in the Pro Series Indoor (PSI) hockey.
It was in 2021 that Ribbink got a hunch that she could perhaps excel at top level in triathlon, however, when she finished third at her first Africa Cup event in Zimbabwe, which was won by her sister, Kira.
“It was the first time I realised I actually enjoyed myself,” she admitted.
Since then Ribbink has won the overall Africa junior elite female triathlete title in 2022, been selected as one of just three junior elite female athletes to represent SA at the World Championships in Germany and won the Commonwealth Youth selection race at Sun City which saw her booking her ticket to the event in Trinidad and Tobago.
A Team Effort
Through it all, Ribbink would be the last to claim those achievements belong solely to her, as she has a large team around her guiding her every step of the way. Among them is retired international swimmer Mandy Loots who knows all about racing on the greatest stages in sport, having competed at three Olympic Games including 1996 when she and her teammates finished fourth in the 4x100m medley relay.
“Mandy in my opinion is one of the most underrated coaches, she is so modest about her achievements and most people don’t have a clue about her accomplishments,” reckoned Ribbink.
“She has stood by me every step of the way, from when I was just wasting her time, playing around the pool going through the motions because I had to be there because my sisters were training. She not only coaches me but always checks on my emotional well-being as she, more than anyone, understands what it takes to have a dream, and how much work, dedication and commitment it takes.”
Loots is equally impressed by her charge. Speaking about the talented teenager, she said: “Kitty is highly committed to her training. She will never skimp on her training set. She is still a young athlete so still learning to control her nerves and emotions. I have been focusing on building up her confidence in her training which will help build her confidence in racing.
“I have seen huge improvement in her understanding of how each set is directly related to her races, seeing her grow from a young girl that tolerated swimming to enjoying her time in the pool and the satisfaction at achieving goals we’ve set.”
As for Ribbink making the SA team for the Commonwealth Youth Games, Loots added: “I am extremely proud of her. She set this goal of making this team and she has done it. Now it is time to go there and race and realise that she can take on these athletes.
“Kitty has got a good team of coaches working with her as well as big family support. She is starting the climb now into international competitions so if we can keep this momentum going. I don’t see any huge obstacles stopping her from competing successfully at senior level. I have also been guiding her to keep up her mental training which I feel is hugely beneficial to a long-term successful career.”
Apart from Loots, Ribbink also has plenty of others on her team.
“Glen Gore the KZN triathlon chairman /Team TriLab oversees and guides my entire programme,” she explained. His job is tough, coordinating everything because I train with a separate run and swim coach and cycle with a separate cycling group. But he had a daughter go through the ranks and knows exactly what is required.
“I cycle with TriX and I’m needed there to bring down the average age,” quipped the grade 11 student. “The ballies are strong and have taught me so much, they really have pushed me out of my comfort zone.
“Ntokozo from PRIME has been my strength and conditioning coach since 2021. She has taught me that my body is stronger than I think it is.
“And lastly Coach Mdu Khumalo [from Phantane Athletics Club], he believed in me from day one when my mom went to him and said: ‘She’s lazy.’ All he said was: ‘I like the lazy ones.’ I have been with him a year and he has not only proved to me that I am more than capable, but he treats all his athletes, not only myself, with belief, respect, dignity and pride. I’m really incredibly lucky to have such an amazing group of people who help me, including Dr Nannick who takes the time every week to massage me after all the training.”
That training includes swimming five to six times a week, strength training and cycling three times a week, and running four to five times a week. It’s no wonder Ribbink it exhausted come Sunday.
“I also go to Grace Church with most of my TriLab teammates. I usually fall asleep from all the training, but I’m told if that’s how I find peace for one hour then that’s acceptable,” she joked.
Focus on the Commonwealth Youth Games
For now though, all focus turns to the Commonwealth Youth Games, which brings together over 1000 young athletes to compete across seven sports. The female super sprint triathlon competition for women between 15 and 17 years of age will take place on 6 August and includes a 375m swim in open water, 10km cycle and 2.5km run.
“I’m happy just getting to the start line, but if I can get a top 10 that would be a dream come true,” said Ribbink. “But I’m going to race my own race and be the best that I can possibly be. I’ve put in the work as have all the other athletes.”
As for long-term goals, those are understandably lofty ones for the motivated Ribbink.
“The Olympics, Commonwealth Games, world champs… But watching my two sisters go through the system I’ve realised we are small fish in a very big pond. We are not exposed to the same level of competition as our European counterparts. We don’t get to go on pre-season camps all over the world and race as consistently in such large fields.
“My sisters study and race with many international triathletes abroad. Hearing what they are exposed to is exciting and I can’t wait for the future. Wherever that takes me.”
Triathlon requires its competitors to become masters of three very different endurance disciplines. 🏃 🚴 🏊
— Trinbago 2023 (@trinbago2023) August 3, 2023
At #Trinbago2023 there are three medal events (men's, women's and mixed relay) over the super-sprint distance 💪
Get your tickets now ➡️ https://t.co/t7raOmlEKS pic.twitter.com/E42MjTsnOu
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