This triathlete is more than able

Knapp featureNewport Harbor High grad doesn’t let much get in the way of his success in triathlons, not even a disability.To many, it might seem amazing that Tommy Knapp has competed in 20-plus triathlons. It might seem even more astounding that the Newport Harbor High alum is a world champion triathlete in his division.

The fact that he’s done this without a left hand tends to be left out of the equation and he prefers it that way.

“I’ve never had any problems, and no one’s treated me differently,” Knapp said. “It’s not really a disability, I just have to do things a little different than everyone else.”

Knapp’s latest victory came at the International Triathlon Union Age Group Triathlon World Championship last month in Honolulu. The Laguna Beach resident swam 1 1/2 kilometers, biked 40 kilometers and ran 10 kilometers in a time of two hours, 32 minutes and 39 seconds to win the Male Below Elbow Amputee division.

He also did it competing alongside able-bodied athletes, beating many of them in the process.

“We run with all levels -- pros, Olympians, different age groups. It brings all levels of sport together,” Knapp said. “The greatest thing is when you beat an able-bodied person. All we want is for everyone to look at us and be blown away. We’re no different than anybody else.”

Born without his left hand, Knapp still made sports a big part of his life long before he took up triathlons. He dabbled in sports as a freshman at Newport Harbor, playing soccer and running track. He was an avid water skier, capturing a championship in the 1980 National Water Ski Racing Championships in the 13-15 age division.

After that, however, Knapp was “inactive,” in his words, for a number of years. During that stretch, he founded Club Sportswear in 1984, while still attending USC. Later, he co-founded Honolua Surf Co. with Corona del Mar High alum Randy Blumer in 1995.

However, it wasn’t until he drove past Crystal Cove State Park on the way home from church and watched competitors in the Pacific Coast Triathlon that he got the bug to start competing again.

“When I saw it, I thought, ‘I have to get in shape, I have to set some goals,’” said Knapp, who is the president of GSM Investments, which runs more than 30 surfwear shops on the West Coast.

To get into shape, he teamed up Sue Davis, a parking lot supervisor for the city of Newport Beach. Davis, a Corona del Mar High Alumni, is a five-time National Duathlon Champion and two-time World Duathlon Champion, and has officially trained Knapp for a year and a half.

In 2001, he competed in the Pacific Coast Triathlon. Since then, Knapp has competed in the triathlon for five straight years.

“The Pacific Coast race is our home, and I’m acclimated to the weather, so sure it’s my favorite,” Knapp said.

The race consists of a half-mile swim at El Moro Cove, a 12-mile bike ride along the hills of Pacific Coast Highway, and concludes with a 3-mile run.

“I had to learn everything,” he said. “At first, I was just trying to get through it, and it was great. But ever since, I try getting faster and faster. Having a great coach like Sue, you’re prepared.”

In 2004, Knapp qualified for the ITU World Championship Triathlon Championships in Madeira, Portugal, after competing in the City of Los Angeles Triathlon the previous year, and was the top United States finisher in his division.

To prepare for his second World Championships appearance, Knapp did an Ironman-like circuit of triathlons, competing in the New York City Triathlon, the Chicago Triathlon, the Pacific Coast Triathlon, and the Malibu Triathlon -- all in six weeks.

Knapp works out twice a week with Davis -- cycling one day, and running track intervals the next. Davis, who ran cross country at Long Beach State, said her training partner is more than capable.

“He’s a very hard worker,” she said. “I’ve known him as a businessman, and he takes that same mentality into whatever he does. I never really think of him as an un-abled body. I even forget sometimes. He’s a tough person and he has a goal. He’s an inspiration to me -- not because of his disability, but because of what he’s able to accomplish.”

20051106ipic6oknCOURTENAY NEARBURG / DAILY PILOT(LA)World triathlon champion Tommy Knapp rides on Back Bay trails.