Mr Smith's Coaching is a triathlon coaching business based in Johnsonville, Wellington, at 6 Wanaka Street. It is run by Gerrard, who goes by "Mr Smith", and it says it has coached more than 900 Ironman and Half Ironman finishers. Gerrard has competed in all triathlon distances, cycling events, ocean swims and half marathons, and he says his approach is built on lessons from injuries and poorly run races.
The business offers individual coaching, a Wellington squad called IronTeam, and a swim squad that trains at Keith Spry Pool in Johnsonville for all swimming levels. Athletes can also train with the team from anywhere in New Zealand. Coaching options are set up to suit goals, budget and lifestyle. Gerrard's philosophy is that the athlete makes the change happen, that training should be fun as well as efficient, that gadgets should not replace knowing one's own body, and that race-day planning matters as much as training. One athlete says Gerrard understands how to balance work, family and injuries, and another describes the group as sociable, with no egos. The business says it puts the athlete's needs first.