Traveling to Kona with Nirvana, Hannes, or similar sport travelling agency: any experiencies?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hello STers,

I just punched my IMWC ticket. Destination: Kona.
If everything goes ok, it will be my 3rd time there. But my last one was back in 2006. So many things have changed.
Now I am exploring the travel & accomodation possibilities, and instead of making up my own travel plan, maybe get there on a pre-organiced one. Any opinions and experiences with NIRVANA or Hannes? Any recomendations?
I assume it will be more expensive, but I really don’t want to spend time on the computer looking for rentals and then dealing with the groceries and cooking once there. So if I can afford it, and there are no negative experiences, I might just travel with an agency.
Thank you.

2

No experience with either, but NIRVANA is the new partner for Team USA travel, starting in Malaga/Torremolinos later in 2024. So, I hear them every month on a Zoom call - they talk a good game and seem to know what athletes need (small, but important things) that a ‘normal’ travel agent does not ‘get’ (just hotel, air, transport with bike to/from airport).

3

Don’t know anything about those companies but I used Endurance Sports Travel when I did Kona. Highly recommend them.

https://gowithest.com/

4

Nirvana gets your groceries or provides meals?

Congrats on the slots.

5

Don’t know anything about those companies but I used Endurance Sports Travel when I did Kona. Highly recommend them.

https://gowithest.com/

Thanks! Did you travel from Europe?

Regarding the food suply, I was asking about if the hotels there in Kona provide with meals&room packages.

6

Don’t know anything about those companies but I used Endurance Sports Travel when I did Kona. Highly recommend them.

https://gowithest.com/

Thanks! Did you travel from Europe?

Regarding the food suply, I was asking about if the hotels there in Kona provide with meals&room packages.

Ken Glah who owns the https://gowithest.com is very good. I have done 2 races with his team, not to Kona, and their service is great. The advantage with him in Kona, is he has raced it more than any other person 35 times? not sure. But, you will learn all the details of the race itself and how to best perform there with him, and he will get you out on the course for all segments with his support and tips.

He has supported athletes at races who come from all over the world, including Europe.

As far as food, it looks like with his team, you reserve a condo with a kitchen which is typical. They typically will provide you a ride to the grocery store around once a day. I am not sure how far from “downtown” Kona the condo is located, but if not in easy walking distance, they will give you a ride there for lunch and dinner and there are plenty of options there. In the past, his team has reserved a restaurant for example, breakfast, and everyone who is supported by him will eat breakfast at the same place. But, all that food will be in addition to the cost of travel with him but check the details.

I would imagine the other travel companies offer something similar.

I just checked Nirvana’s plan for Kona and they have 3 hotels that are super close (King Kam is at the swim start and transition.) It looks like they will provide breakfast race morning, but the other days, like Ken Glah’s company, you are on your own to get food at restaurants there in town.

Any of these companies, the big plus is you pay, and show up, and they take care of everything else.