brio stories: from brio pools to ultra-triathlons

Meet Dave Clamp - ultra-triathlete, former world record holder, and familiar face at Brio. While Dave’s list of achievements is endless, he’s best-known for participating in Deca races, that’s ten times the traditional Ironman distance (38km swim, a 1800km bike, and a 422km run). To date, he has completed the Ironman distance 214 times.

In 2016 he pushed his limits even further and won the 20 Ironman triathlons in 20 days challenge, setting a world record time. It’s why, around here, he’s simply known as Double Deca Dave.

We had a chat with Dave to hear more about the sport he discovered in his 30s, the mindset behind the miles, and how training at Brio helps drive him to the finish line.

how did you get into triathlon, and what inspired you to start?

I had been a club swimmer as a child, did a lot of running in the 1980s Marathon boom and liked cycling, so triathlon seemed like a sport that was designed for me. I did what was probably the first ever UK triathlon in 1983 - there were just 15 of us, each with our own timekeeper! We swam 3.8km in several different pools, then joined up for an 80km cycle round Billing Aquadrome before joining in with the Northampton marathon.

at what point did you compete more seriously?

As my kids got older, I had more time to train, and my performance improved rapidly. That lead to a spot on the Elite GB team and the 8.58 Ironman distance time.  Then in 1999, I saw an advert for a Double Ironman in Holland – I didn’t know this type of race existed. Apparently, the seasoned racers called me the ‘crazy Englishman’ who set off way too fast, but they never caught me, and I won by over an hour.

At 40 I’d found a sport which I could really excel – one that challenged me both physically and mentally. Having been dismissed at school as largely useless at sport, this was quite a moment for me.

the 20 in 20 days triathlon, what was that race like, both physically and mentally?

We dedicated this triathlon in memory of a great friend from Knutsford Tri Club, Clive Reading, who had recently died from a brain tumour, so the whole race was very emotional.

After taking the lead on day one, I was really motivated to stay up there, which made those first few days pretty challenging. By day four, it almost felt like clocking in for work. The second half of the challenge were faster than the first, and on average, I was finishing around 11 – 12 hours per day.

what kind of fuel keeps you going during tough training and ultra events?

The food is the best part of the continuous Deca. Each day, we normally receive three full three-course meals from the organisers plus constant snacks. We consume approximately 10,000 calories each day! Favourites for me include rice pudding, pizza, ice cream, and salty potatoes.

you do a lot of your swim training in our pools! How has training at Brio supported your performance?

Since Covid lockdown times, training at Brio has been the single biggest factor in my continued success. The Brio Masters swim sessions (brilliantly ran by coach Molly James who I also train with) have grown year on year, building a community of members who constantly seek challenges that they would have previously considered impossible.

I feel like a friend to most of the lifeguards and reception staff, whose support really helps during hard hours of training. I’m swimming as fast now as when I was in the Elite GB team, and I really have to thank Brio for that.

what’s next in the calendar? 

Next up is the Triple Ironman in Lensahn, Germany on August 1st – it’s a really tough race, so I’m hoping this will be the year I rank higher than 4th. Then it’s onto Deca Continuous in Taiwan, and another Deca in South Africa in March 2026. (I finished 3rd there in March 2025). I’ve always said I’d stop when I no longer feel competitive. But right now, I still love going head-to-head with the 30-year-olds, and inspiring older athletes that their best days may not be behind them.

what would your top tips be for someone getting into the sport?

Consistency is key. Some people tend to see the finish line glory and perhaps thinks it comes easy… but what they don’t see is the 4:40am alarm on a freezing winter morning, and Molly’s car waiting outside to go training! I believe we all have something special in us, and often it’s just a case of discovering what it is. Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary feats, so never stop believing in what you’re capable of.

Whether he’s training for a Deca or chatting poolside, Dave brings something special to the Brio community. We’re proud to be part of his journey.