Tess Mattern

Bio:  Tess is a recent Christchurch transplant, moving from Colorado in December with her husband Tucker.  Tess has a background in swimming, strength training, and nutrition, and has experience working with all ages.  Tess began coaching triathlon in 2012 with the Colorado State Triathlon team, and since then has grown her skills as a triathlon coach. 

Full Name: Tess Mattern

Known as: Tess

Background:  I grew up as a competitive swimmer and swam through my years at University.  I had a successful career as a swimmer, and wanted to continue competing in sport. I turned to triathlon after graduating from Emory University in 2009, and casually began participating in local races.  While working as a swim coach for a youth swim team, I got certified in personal training, and then transitioned to working as a personal trainer full-time.  After 2 years of working in a gym, I decided to go back to school for Nutrition and moved to Colorado to complete a 2-year Holistic Nutrition program. While living in Colorado, I began coaching for the Colorado State Triathlon team, and my focus shifted to triathlon.  

Coaching qualifications: USAT Level 1 Triathlon Coach, NASM certified personal trainer, Master Nutrition Therapist

Coaching experience: I started coaching swimming when I was 18, and shifted to Triathlon when I was 25.  I have coached everyone from ages 5-60 across these sports.

Coaching goal: To empower athletes to learn about their sport and their body so that they can use this knowledge throughout their lives. 

Sporting experience: Competitive swimmer ages 4-21. Played tennis, basketball, volleyball as a child, now focused on Triathlon but enjoy trail running and hiking as well as surfing!

Sporting goal: 1- To stay healthy and use sport as a positive contribution to my life. 2- To podium at Worlds Standard distance in Lausanne. 

Sporting hero/heroine: Natalie Caughlin (US Olympic swimmer)

Favourite recovery food: Protein shake with almond butter and banana. 

Sam Petty

Background: Having grown up in the UK in a quiet country area within Devon, I competed heavily in both swimming and running. As I progressed through school it became clear that my main passion was track athletics and this is where I found the most success.

I then moved on to the University of Birmingham and continued in both swimming and running, whilst studying a degree in Environmental Science. It was through this that I was able to come to New Zealand on a placement and work at NIWA as a climate research assistant. With my later move to New Zealand in 2014 I married Angie Petty (nee Smit). From 2014 my interest started to grow significantly in cycling and triathlon and my training shifted into this direction.

From 2016 I started working at Canterbury Swim School and became head coach for Waitaha swim club. Then in 2019 Angie and I created Team Petty, our own running coaching business focused on teenage athletes.

We now have a daughter Azaliah born in 2022 who has brought a whole new area to our lives.

Coaching qualifications: 

Bronze level SNZ coach

Accredited Tri NZ and athletics NZ coach

Coaching experience: 

5 years coaching at Waitaha Swim Club

3 years coaching athletics 

6 years coaching with the CTA

Coaching goal: To help athletes find enjoyment through sport whilst fulfilling their potential

Sporting experience: Throughout school I made steady improvements and in my final year I was able to win the English Schools Athletics Champs over the 800m. I progressed my 800 PB to 1:49.06 and have achieved a mile time of 4:01.47. As a senior I won 2 bronze medals at the NZ champs over the 800m.

On a swimming front I competed regularly as a child but this has been much more limited recently, however as a senior I did manage to qualify for the NZ short course champs in the 400IM.

Although my serious racing in triathlon was for just a couple of years (due to an mtb crash and a return to athletics) I greatly enjoyed this and was able to reach an Oceania cup level in competition.

Sporting goal: 

To run a sub 4 mile

To swim sub 2 200fr

To ride sub 20 10mile

To race at elite level triathlon

Sporting hero/heroine: 

Sebastian Coe

Angie Petty (my wife and NZ Olympic 800m runner)

Jack Hutchens (local triathlete from North Devon). After many tough years in athletics, Jack fully focused on triathlon in about 2019 and got his pro license in 2022.

Favourite recovery food: 

Strawberry milkshake

Banana

Potatoe chips