COMING SOON to Columbia, Maryland (Howard County)!

The Problem We Solve

You want to do a triathlon. You've thought about it for months—maybe years. But something keeps stopping you.

Maybe it's the swim. You're not sure you can make it across a lake without panicking. Or you literally don't know how to swim properly.

Maybe it's intimidation. Triathlon seems like it's for "those athletes"—the ones with $10,000 bikes and 4% body fat. Not for regular people like you.

Maybe you just don't know where to start. The gear, the training, the logistics—it feels overwhelming.

The S.E.T. First Triathlon Program exists to eliminate every one of those barriers.

In 12 weeks, you will go from wherever you are now—even if you can't swim a single lap—to crossing the finish line of your first triathlon. Not just surviving it. Finishing it confidently.

What Makes FTP Different

Unlike programs with 100+ participants where you're just a number, FTP is capped at 20 athletes. This isn't a mass-market program. It's an intimate cohort where you get real attention, real instruction, and real support.

You Get Elite-Level Coaching

Your head coach is Henry Shoemaker—a USAT Level 2 Certified Coach, USA Triathlon High Performance Team Contract Coach, and two-time Paralympic Training Camp Coach. He has coached professional athletes, Paralympians, and world championship qualifiers. The same methodology he uses with pros is what you'll receive—adapted for beginners.

We Actually Teach You to Swim

Most beginner programs hand you a training plan and assume you can already swim. We don't. Coach Henry provides direct swim instruction and programming throughout the 12 weeks. Athletes who complete the full program will be prepared to confidently finish their race swim distance. We also partner with a tenured swim coach for open water clinics.

We Own the Bike Shop

Syndicate Bike Shop (syndicatebikeshop.org) is our headquarters. Your bike clinics happen at our shop, with our mechanics, giving you white-glove service on bike buying, fitting, and maintenance. No other beginner program in the region can offer this.

You Become a Full Team Member

FTP includes a complete Development Team membership ($499/year value). After your 12-week program ends, you remain a full Dev Team member with access to a second 12-week individual training plan, ongoing coaching communication, clinics, and team benefits for the remainder of your membership year.

Program Benefits

💜 Instruction & Training

12-Week Custom FTP Training Plan — Designed for your goal race (Sprint or Olympic distance)
Swim Instruction & Programming — Direct coaching from USAT High Performance Coach Henry Shoemaker & USAT Level I Coach Lisa Steptoe
Heart Rate Zone Testing — Personalized zone setting for effective training
Open Water Swim Clinic — With tenured swim coach (included)
Triathlon 101: Gear & Getting Started — Everything you need to know before you begin
Bike Buying & Fit Basics — At Syndicate Bike Shop
Bike Maintenance Essentials — At Syndicate Bike Shop
Bike Handling & Safety Clinic
Transition Mastery Clinic — The "fourth discipline" that separates beginners from confident racers
Race Day Nutrition Clinic
Mental Prep & Race Strategy
Injury Prevention & Prehab Clinic — With Lane 4 PT