Ernie Gruhn

Ernie was formerly the head of sports marketing for Reebok Africa. Since 1999 Ernie has built up a business as an investment analyst and market strategy advisor. From a young age Ernie demonstrated a passion for middle distance running and coached at the University of Stellenbosch over a 15 year period. Ernie has worked with great athletes such as Olympic Medallist and 5 times world record holder Elana Meyer, Johan Londsman (3’33’’ 1500m) and triathletes such as Simon Lessing and Conrad Stoltz.

I met Bobby when he joined a training group which I was assisting in 1999 and was immediately struck by his positive disposition which contributed to the group dynamic from the outset. As time passed I came to spend more time with Bob and as he became a regular feature in the SA summer Bob became a housemate and it was here that I came to have a greater appreciation for this Irish gent. Bob is a man made of many great facets and first and foremost in my view is his utter determination and discipline in pursuing his chosen goal. His meticulous nature in following through on his plan to reach a particular goal has led him to enlist the help of many knowledgeable players in the sport and it is a mark of his personality that most end up being his friend, sharing many great moments with him both inside and outside the sport. As Bob grew in confidence in his sport he accumulated tremendous organisational skills and impressed with the meticulous manner in which he orchestrated a comprehensive approach to elite level triathlon leaving no stone unturned in perfecting an approach dictated by good science and common sense. Bob has for many years shared this knowledge with fellow tri-athletes in an informal manner as his natural inclination is to assist and offer leadership in an energetic and open manner .I view this formalisation of his abilities to coach and lead as a natural progression and those fortunate enough to participate in this program will benefit from a remarkable fountain of knowledge, insight and experience as well as enjoying the benefit of Bob’s engaging and encouraging personality. Enjoy, you are about to experience excellence personified!!

 

Christoph Sauser:

 

 

Bobby my team manager and very good friend!

We met for the first time in 1999 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, where Bobby was desperately looking for accommodation for his training stay in the African summer. We gave him the hospitality he needed in our big house and lucky for us that he did not go on to win the Olympics! This was our great chance to sign him for Specialized as team manager early in 2006. Since then he is directing success in our squad and I would not like to give him away any more! Bobby is a great friend, you can always trust and have fun with and as team manager he is always worrying that the team have the very best environment required to win. Bobby is very loyal and reliable!

Conrad Stoltz:

 

 

I met Bobby at Triathlon World Champs in Montreal in 1999. We met by chance in Burger King at 3am (yes, triathletes CAN party) and Bobby said he wanted to come and train with me in South Africa. I said "sure, come over" and didn't think much of it at the time, as this kind of thing happens all the time. But here is the difference: Bobby actually delivered on his promise, flew over to Africa and one month later I bumped into him at a triathlon in Gordons Bay!

This is how I got to know Bobby - always good for his word. If says he'll "put a number tirteen up yer backside", you know he will!

Seriously, it has been a pleasure watching Bobby grow from amateur athlete, to Oakley’s man in Ireland, to pro triathlete pushing for the Beijing Olympics, to Specialized Factory Team Manager, where he played a key role in Christoph Sausers' World title.

What really impresses me about Bobby is his people skills, his organizational skills, his attention to detail, professionalism and his amazing work ethic.

Bobby understands the athlete inside out, and he understands the business of sports inside out.

Bobby will go far. Buckle up!

 

 

 

 

Gerard Hartmann:

In the past seventeen years Gerard Hartmann has developed a world renowned Sports Injury Clinic in Limerick. A former track and field scholarship runner in the USA (1500m, 5000m, 3000m steeplechase) Gerard went on to win seven national triathlon titles. Following a freak accident thus ending his sporting career Gerard directed his attention to treating athletes. To date Gerard has worked with 53 Olympic Medal Winners, 34 World Champions including world record holders and numerous other sporting personalities and stars.

Gerard with Sean Kelly

I have known Bobby Behan for over 8 years. He is one of the most enthusiastic people about triathlon and multi-sports that I have ever met. He is so passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about life and the benefits of health and sport that his contribution to fellow sports people, recreational to elite, is tremendous.

He himself was a successful athlete and I have fond memories of chasing him up the famous 'Col de Collabra' in Majorca, with Bobby humbling me by taking 3-4 minutes out of me on the six-mile climb.

His passion, enthusiasm, understanding of sports people along with fantastic energy and organisational skills is the ingredients for some top quality performance training camps with everyone from the beginner to the seasoned athlete having something to learn and gain.

 

Libby Burrell:
Director, ITU Sports Development. Formerly Libby has been the High Performance Coach for South Africa Triathlon, where she coached Bobby and subsequently the High Performance Director for USA Triathlon.

I had the pleasure of working with Bobby on his frequent visits to South Africa from October 1999 to enjoy the perfect training weather we have on offer here. Bobby understands the meaning of commitment, loyalty and team work. He joined our triathlon group in Stellenbosch and in no time became one of the leaders in the group and was respected by all that had the pleasure of getting to know him. Bobby has all the traits of a good coach and leader and I am sure with his experience in the sport he will be a fine coach and leader to all that chose to work with him.

 

Steve Kelley:

Athlete Development Coordinator, USA Triathlon. Steve is the founder and head coach of the Vortex Racing Development Team, one of the leading junior programs in the United States. His program has helped to identified numerous national-class athletes, including a 2008 Olympian. Steve was named U.S. Olympic Committee's Developmental Coach of the Year (Triathlon) in 2002 and 2004. He has competed as an amateur triathlete since 1988, including a 2003 finisher of Ironman Hawaii.

"I had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Bobby in 1999 and 2000 during his training stays in the United States. We shared many great training sessions together in Massachusetts. Bobby's passion for Olympic-style triathlon fuelled my own interest in coaching athletes for that format. And, his experiences taught me a lot about the challenges faced by young elite athletes. I have to thank Bobby for opening my eyes to a segment of triathlon that many American coaches were reluctant to embrace.
What can I say about Bobby Behan? He is a man who wears his passion on his sleeve. His positive demeanour and natural Irish charm easily win over everyone he meets. Bobby literally has friends on every continent. Only Bobby could arrive in South Africa with no contacts and no place to stay and immediately find himself training with some of the best athletes in the world. More importantly, he has continued to cultivate those friendships in the years since.
Bobby is well positioned to apply his range of experiences in endurance sports to the art of coaching. His organizational skills, attention to detail, and passion will certainly benefit all who partake of his services."

 

Pierre De Roubaix:
Head Swimming Coach, University Of Stellenbosch. Pierre was a legend in South Africa swimming circles holding the 25km open water record and was unbeaten for three years, which is itself a record. To date Pierre has worked with The British Triathlon Team in preparation for the Sydney Olympics and has worked with specific triathletes such as Tim Don, Simon Lessing, Conrad Stoltz, Will Clarke, Megan Hall, Mari Rabie and Ricarda Lisk.

Bobby has the character that has endeared him to many a South African since he first arrived here in Stellenbosch on a training camp in 1999.

He excelled in all sports he put his mind too and his determination, even under the coldest of conditions, to return to the water after a quick warm up shower is testament to this!!

He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the multi sport arena that is hard to find in a single individual.

Bobby not only understands the technical aspects of high performance sport from a coaching point of view but has an in-depth insight into what makes athletes tick. He has proven over and over again that he has a special gift to extract the highest performance from athletes that he is associated with.

No matter what it takes Bobby delivers on his promises and would journey to the ends of the earth for an athlete or friend.

Definitely the guy you want on your team!

 

Benno Willeit:
Specialized Factory Racing Head Mechanic

 

 

I not a man of big words! Well many would disagree! I did more stuff with Bobby in the last two years than with any other friend in the last ten years. Bobby is one of those people who you know once you have as a friend, you have a friend for life. He is very loyal, trust worthy and bloody good fun to be around. As Susi says he is one of those people “who would put his hand in the fire for his friends”.

Bobby and I met on and off over the years mainly due to our mutual friendship with Christoph Sauser, but I only really got to know Bobby when he commenced work with Specialized in 2006. As a team manager he is great. He gets on well with everybody, we have fun and the team is so organised. It is definitely the most organised in my opinion, which says a lot for Bobby. Bobby also knows and understands the athletes and has worked extremely well in managing and monitoring all of the athletes on our team. We all respect him a lot.

Bobby’s idea is a great one and I know, like with everything else that he does, he will do a damn good job!