Jack Crome on Triathlon: An Australian Perspective
Jack Crome hails from Brisbane, Australia, where he has lived his entire life. His sporting journey began with football (soccer), which he started playing at a very young age. It was also at this time that he discovered Little Athletics, a community-based program for kids to learn and participate in athletics, which ultimately led him into the world of endurance sports.
Jack's entry into triathlon was influenced by his good friend Jackson, whom he met through Little Athletics. Although they were the same age, Jackson was placed in a younger group due to the way the competition was structured. The two often found themselves among the top competitors in their races, with Jackson frequently talking about triathlon and encouraging Jack to give it a try. Eventually, Jack decided to take the plunge into his first triathlon.
He was hooked instantly.
The individual nature of triathlon drew Jack to it. He found the idea of relying solely on his own effort rather than on teammates compelling. Unlike team sports like football, triathlon allowed him to push his limits and focus entirely on his performance. Jack quickly progressed to the junior national champion level, showing his potential in the sport. Today, Jack is a professional triathlete racing in the World Triathlon circuit.
Jack Crome kicking off his 2025 race season in Napier. Photo Credit: World Triathlon
A Strong Swimmer and Cyclist
When it comes to his strengths in triathlon, Jack sees himself as a strong swimmer and cyclist. As a junior, Jack competed at the National level in cross country and track and field distance running. He is currently working hard to demonstrate this ability in his run off the bike and is eager to demonstrate progress in upcoming races.
Jack's love for swimming dates back to his childhood. He learned to swim at just 5 years old as part of his local school system, where many primary schools in his town had pools. By the age of 11, he was competing at a state level in swimming. He credits Australia’s strong swimming programs with helping him establish a solid foundation in the water.
After undergoing knee surgeries, Jack found himself with more time to focus on swimming, allowing him to improve his technique and strength. Using a pool buoy and bands to limit leg movement, he worked on building his upper body strength. This period of focused swimming development meant that by the time Jack was given the green light to get back to triathlon, his swimming strength was well-established.
Triathlon in Australia: A Thriving Community
Jack is proud to be part of the Aus Triathlon and the Australian Institute of Sport Elite Athlete program.
Australia has long been a dominant force in triathlon, producing world-class athletes and fostering a strong culture of endurance sports. Jack is deeply immersed in this environment, where training groups, coaches, and fellow athletes continuously push each other to reach new heights. The Australian triathlon community is tight-knit yet highly competitive, with races ranging from grassroots events to elite-level competitions. The country’s favourable climate and natural landscapes provide excellent training conditions year-round, even if in the summer that means some very early morning sessions to avoid the heat.
Australia’s success in triathlon has produced several inspiring athletes, including Craig Alexander, Emma Snowsill, and Mirinda Carfrae to name just a few. Their achievements continue to motivate Jack as he works towards his own goals. The success of Australian triathletes on the global stage serves as a constant reminder of what’s possible, fueling his determination to make his mark in the sport. Training and racing in Australia have played a critical role in his development, shaping his approach to competition and instilling the work ethic needed to succeed internationally.
Pushing Limits
Jack has always been fueled by a desire to compete and push his physical and mental limits. "I’ve always been drawn to pushing myself beyond what I thought was possible," he shares. "Triathlon gives me the perfect opportunity to test my endurance and improve every single day." Like many endurance athletes, his path hasn’t been without challenges. Jack balances the demands of training, recovery, racing, and balancing studying at University and part-time jobs as he continues to develop in the sport.
Elevating His Swimming with FORM
Jack first encountered FORM goggles while working at a pizza delivery job. To pass the time, he often listened to podcasts during his shifts. One day, he heard an interview with an ex-professional cyclist who was discussing the benefits of tracking data in sports.
The cyclist explained that everything in cycling is data-driven—from heart rate to power. This made Jack curious about how swimming lacked such advanced tracking systems. He soon realized that FORM was revolutionizing how swimmers could track their performance with real-time data displayed directly in their goggles.
Jack was particularly drawn to FORM's ability to integrate data like heart rate and stroke count, which he could monitor while swimming. He loves how the goggles let him upload a training session from TrainingPeaks, so he can focus on his workout without having to memorize complex set times. One feature Jack appreciates is the ability to see time and pace during his swim, especially in intense training sessions. He also finds it helpful to track his “time to neutral,” to focus on during aerobic swims, making those sessions more engaging.
Jack also likes that his goggles allow him to easily share his data with his coach. Instead of sending screenshots or manually recording his times, Jack simply gives his coach access to his FORM account. This makes it far easier for his coach to review his workouts and monitor his progress, particularly when they are in different cities, countries, or continents.
Ultimately, Jack has found that his FORM goggles give him a level of control over his training that he hadn’t experienced before, whether it’s tracking heart rate, stroke count, or simply keeping track of set times during solo swims. The ability to focus on data instead of mentally calculating times during sets has helped him refine his technique and enhance his training.
A Season Opener to Learn From
Jack's first race of the season took place in Napier, New Zealand last month where he gained valuable feedback on his current fitness. "The race didn’t go exactly as planned, but I took away so many key lessons," he reflects. "I know what I need to work on, and that’s what excites me the most." He describes the event as a valuable learning experience, where he tested himself against some of the best short-course athletes in the world. For Jack, every race represents an opportunity to grow and refine his skills, and Napier was no exception.
Racing Across Hemispheres: From Australia to Europe
As his season is just beginning, Jack is preparing to transition from racing in the Southern Hemisphere to competing in Europe, where he will be based in Girona Spain, an epicentre for elite endurance sport. This shift comes with new challenges, including adapting to different race formats, varying climates, and stronger competition. European races often feature larger race participant fields, more technical courses, and unpredictable weather, all of which require adaptability and careful race preparation.
For Jack, racing in different countries is both exciting and demanding. "It’s a big adjustment, but racing in different environments is what makes triathlon so dynamic," he says. "I love the challenge of adapting and seeing how I stack up against international competition." Moving between hemispheres requires Jack to carefully time his peak performances, manage travel fatigue, and quickly adjust to new surroundings. However, he views this as a necessary step in his development, as European races provide a platform to test himself against some of the best triathletes in the world, beyond Australia’s domestic scene.
A Bright Future in Triathlon
Looking to the future, Jack’s aspirations in triathlon are long-term. With his dedication and work ethic, he is determined to build a successful career in the sport. Whether it's competing in elite-level events, targeting national championships, or pursuing entry into prestigious international race series, Jack is on a clear path toward achieving his goals.
Stay tuned and follow Jack takes on new challenges, hones his skills, and continues to push toward greater milestones in his triathlon career.
