Total Immersion Swimming

After attending a Triathletix swim clinic late last year, and seeing how helpful it was in improving my technique, I purchased the latest Total Immersion DVD titled Easy Freestyle. I made the purchase with the idea that it would help me perfect the drills necessary to fully ingrain proper swimming technique. I purchased the TI book a few years ago when I first took up swimming, but frankly it is really hard to understand the drills and how they are supposed to be done from a book, even a book full of drawings. Video is much better. Although I have to say that the video might be difficult for a novice. There were several things that were discussed in the video that I don't think I would have even understood except for the fact that I attended the swim clinic.

Here is a video taken off of the TI blog, featuring the author Terry Laughlin. The thing to notice is how little splash he makes as he swims. There is almost zero movement of the water. Incredible.

I Can Finally See Myself Swim

After three seasons of swimming I have stopped making any gains. I decided to seek out professional help and recently took a swim clinic offered by Triathletix. They also offer a swim DVD. While the DVD has the same drills and teaches the same techniques, I wouldn't recommend it. It is too short, has rather low production values and simply isn't worth the price. I think that the clinic on the other hand is definitely worth it. There just is no substitute for someone looking at you and pointing out what you need to work on. Also, it is very difficult to master the drills (and lets face it, the drills are useless unless you master them) if someone doesn't watch you and point out what you are doing wrong.

I think the most important thing I learned in the class was how to time the catch with the rotation of the hips. The Total Immersion books that I first learned from talk about this, but without someone actually demonstrating it, it is really hard to get. I still have a lot of work to do on this aspect, but at least I feel like I have the tools to get there.

On the last day of the clinic, we did some underwater filming so that we could see how we are implementing the techniques. Below is the result.

As a result of the clinic, I swim with more relaxation and ease but also go farther with each stroke. Before the clinic it took me 20 strokes to go 25 meters and after the clinic that was reduced to 16 strokes.

Local Tri Club Featured on the Morning News

I usually swim with my local tri club on Wednesday mornings. I didn't make it last week, but it looks like about 60 other people did and it made the morning newscast. Pretty cool.