Water has always played a central role in Pim van Diemen's athletic life. In his youth, he was a dedicated swimmer and during his university years he preferred being on the water rather than in it: he became a passionate rower.

When Pim chose a social career after his studies, the big gap appeared. Rowing turned out to be a true student sport and difficult to maintain training alongside a full-time job. Reason enough to seek other athletic challenges. Through purchasing a road bike, he found his way into triathlon. Never one to shy away from a challenge, triathlon quickly became a bucket-list pursuit.

"I approached that in stages, of course," explains the Amsterdam native. "Through the Olympic, sprint, and half-distance triathlons, I prepared for what was basically meant to be a one-time adventure. So that one time got completely out of hand." Thanks to a friend, Pim also joined the ASU'11 club and, through team competitions, his triathlon experience became even more varied.

"Fun is always my top priority. That’s my main motivation. But as long as I keep improving, I’m definitely curious about my limits, though not at any cost," Pim states realistically, indicating that a professional career is not an end goal.

The connection from bridge to AthleteSportsWorld through ASU'11 is of course easy to make: co-owner Peter van Dartel is also a member and the two have known each other for several years. "What’s great about ASW is that it’s not just about selling products. Matthias and Peter aren’t satisfied until a customer leaves the store content. Social and fun are paramount." This aligns perfectly with ASW’s values and Pim’s approach.

Pim's main goals for the 2023 season:

04-06 Dutch Middle Distance Championship Nieuwkoop

25-06 Challenge Roth

09-09 European Long Distance Championship Almere