Total Immersion Swimming

[robertarak]

So I go to the pool at my gym to work on my freestyle. I soon realize there is NO style in my freestyle. There are people doing effortless laps, and then there is me, panting like a dog after 1 lap and trying to swallow half the pool on my next lap. I guess there is difference between "not drowning" and "swimming".

I have done some research into swim coaches and instruction and Total Immersion (Total Immersion Swimming) seems to be what I am looking for. One of the things with that system is that while you learn to swim using their methods, you also learn to teach their methods. So..here I am looking for a coach. Even just someone local(ish) who has gone through the program and can work with me just enough to show me the correct technique and get me on the right track.

Anyone out there????

 

[Teamcasa]

Robert, I have not taken the class but after reading their website I realized they were preaching the same thing I was taught while I was on the swim team, both in high school and college. Bottom line was waste no movement, effective use of hands, arms shoulders, head all the way down to your toes.

Most ineffective freestyle swimmers waste more energy than the use hence they tire easily, breathe poorly and thrash about. Find a good coach and swim miles and miles.

 

[Kevrumbo]

There's a Michael Collins in Irvine, who's bio reveals that he is a Total Immersion Senior Instructor. (See also Irvine Novaquatics)

If nothing else, just read and follow the Book, and look at the videos from this analysis of the Total Immersion Strategy.

 

[cys]

You might be just as well off joining a masters swim program...

 

[mohave_steve]

Great Question Robert,

I have been looking for Adult instruction in my area as well. I found that the surface swim was
one of the most dificult parts of my O/W for me to complete. I would very much like to find instruction or coaching in my area to help me improve my swim skills.

It did not occur to me until I started diving that nobody ever "taught" me to swim. I simply watched others and tried (not very well) to copy thier efforts.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Steve

 

[Nemrod]

I have been a swimmer most of my life doing open water distance competition and triatholons etc. The main problem is that most men are to bulked up and are lacking flexibility in the shoulders. You may not know this but up to 100% of a crawl stroke's power comes from the arms. Yes, a swimmer going all out will use an effective flutter kick but distance swimmers allow the legs to almost lazily drag using them for stability and minimum propulsion. I have taught swimming and life saving, I am a WSI, I can tell you without even seeing you that your fighting the water, stiff back and neck, kicking frantically and flailing your arms downward rather than reaward. RELAX--work on one element at a time beginning with getting some shoulder and arm flexibilty stretches. Also, take a breath--every stroke--I usually breath to the left--I can breath on either side or both depending on conditions but generally choose a side--I am a left breather. Keep at it. Oh, get some goggles.

And one other thing, becoming a good swimmer will make you a much better diver,all of this kick talk and all of that becomes almost silly, your confidence and power and ability to relax in the water will allow you to concentrate on other things--on or below the water.

N

 

[robertarak]

I have been a swimmer most of my life doing open water distance competition and triatholons etc. The main problem is that most men are to bulked up and are lacking flexibility in the shoulders. You may not know this but up to 100% of a crawl stroke's power comes from the arms. Yes, a swimmer going all out will use an effective flutter kick but distance swimmers allow the legs to almost lazily drag using them for stability and minimum propulsion. I have taught swimming and life saving, I am a WSI, I can tell you without even seeing you that your fighting the water, stiff back and neck, kicking frantically and flailing your arms downward rather than reaward. RELAX--work on one element at a time beginning with getting some shoulder and arm flexibilty stretches. Also, take a breath--every stroke--I usually breath to the left--I can breath on either side or both depending on conditions but generally choose a side--I am a left breather. Keep at it. Oh, get some goggles.

And one other thing, becoming a good swimmer will make you a much better diver,all of this kick talk and all of that becomes almost silly, your confidence and power and ability to relax in the water will allow you to concentrate on other things--on or below the water.

N

Excellent post. Thank you!

 

[Nemrod]

Well, I am trying to help but let me add something---have you ever climbed a ladder?
OK, that is sort of the arm motion--reach---pull---reach--pull and then roll to the side your breathing on--don't lift your head, breath in the little cup of the wake that forms from your head. It is not the windmilling frantic flailing I see so often. I exaggerate for effect and I am not making fun. I am simply trying to contrast right from wrong to help visualize. Relax, slow down and as I said--work on one element at a time--good luck with it and yeah--take some lessons. Some people will laugh--who cares. Most people who think they can swim actually CANNOT--you will be able to. N

 

[Alex777]

Yes, good post! Nemrod, what is your opinion of the Total Immersion program? Do you know it?

On my swim team, the training regime (supervised by our German Coach, fondly remembered as "The Nazi") consisted of swimming laps. Lots of laps. Really, really lots of laps. The TI program seems to offer a bit more?

 

[covediver]

The Total Immersion website contains a schedule of upcoming weekend freestyle clinics.
Total Immersion Swimming

I did a TI clinic in Woodland Hills a few years back. It was a good clinic with swimmers of all abilities although most were triathletes wanting to improve their strokes (lots of triathletes are better runners and bikers than swimmers). The staff was very professional and it was a lot of fun, but a little pricey. I didn't mind as I am a competitive masters swimmer and love to swim laps.

Does the pool where you swim have swimming lessons? If so, thin about hiring a swim instructor for a couple of hours for private lessons or stroke improvement. I am a swim coach and instructor and think it is worth the investment. Years ago, I was not a powerful swimmer and hired a coach to prepare for my divemasters swim after brely making the time for my basic diver course. I paid for five hours of coaching and it paid off. The TI method has pretty much diffused into a lot of swim classes.

I am not a big fan of going it alone. Another alternative is to find a masters group. They are all over southern California. Masters does not mean "fast" or "competitive" it means "older than 18." Workouts are separated by ability (slow lane to very fast lane) with workouts set up for each level. I have been swimming with a masters group for more than eight years and love it. Go to United States Masters Swimming and check out the local programs tab.