Alan Watts - Hampton Workshop, June 2010
I’d like to say a big thank you to you and your fellow instructor’s that taught me a better way to swim over the weekend and sacrificing your time during the slaughtering of the England Football Team.
I have just returned from my regular Monday lunchtime swim. After warming up for around 30 minutes doing under-switch and over switch I decided to swim. My concentration thought was the wrap and trap of the leading hand, this is did by concentrating on the path of the hand under the eye following the same line as the pool tiles and the lower arm perpendicular to the floor and boy what a difference. When it was spot on the tiles really flew by. My stoke count was 18, that’s 4 off since Saturday.
But the best was yet to come: a young chap I know who is training for triathlons had gotten into the pool. He was charging up and down the pool in his normal fashion and I was just able to sit behind him taking it quiet easy looking down at the bottom of the pool and seeing the shadow of his feet getting closer. When I spoke to him afterward I told him about your workshops he said he liked the sound of that and would check-out your website. In a sneaky way I hope he doesn’t go to one.
Gareth Carr - Hampton Workshop, June 2010
Thank you so much for a great weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It is a highly organised and well thought out weekend which I will do as much as I can to recommend in the future to people. I’m looking forward to getting back into the pool later today for some practice and see if the overnight rest has done me any good
Chris Perkins - 1:1 Sessions, May 2010
I enjoyed the day's coaching last month but driving home I did feel like my stroke had been taken apart and only half put back together. There's only so much you can do in a day and you did hone in on some fundamental weaknesses!
The video feedback was really useful and I got straight back into the pool and tried to disconnect the hard wiring of 30 years worth of lifting my head to breathe. It was hard but I think I've done it! I did a bit of drilling but really focused on building up to the 750m tri distance whilst ROTATING my head (and body).
When I registered, I put down 16:30 as my 750m time, just doubling my old 400m time. In practice, my best time over 750m since the coaching day was 13:40 and at the tri today I did 14:50 (probably about 14:30 in the pool if you exclude the run to transition) - and that was losing about a minute behind the other swimmers in my lane. I eventually lapped them, which felt good!
So a big increase in performance, but more importantly a huge increase in confidence and enjoyment! I'm going to sign up for an aquathlon in October and continue working on my TI technique between now and then (you might see me for day two before October).
So thank you for your coaching, it's had a tremendous effect!!
Sean O'Donnell - Dublin Workshop, May 2010
Thank you very much, I dropped 11 seconds off my best 100m time on Tuesday night, you guys are miracle workers :)
Gillian Quinlan - Hampton Workshop, May 2010
Just wanted to say that I really, really enjoyed the workshop at the weekend. Was great to start getting the feeling that I am moving efficiently in the water. Can't wait to get back in the pool. You might see me in Leicester some time!
Thanks for your enthusiasm, encouragement and advice
Andy Blonden - Newbury Workshop, April 2010
Many thanks for a most enjoyable weekend.
I had become somewhat lost and confused, over the years, using the books and videos; but, seeing how things should be done, has made me more determined to start again and persevere. Thanks also to Mick, Dawn & Jill for their help . . .and patience.
Martin Madden - Newbury Workshop, April 2010
Just a short note to say thanks for a great weekend at the freestyle workshop at Brockhurst. It was eye-opening and motivating with excellent tuition and guidance. It has transformed my thinking and my swimming.
Nick Hargreaves, Cheltenham - Leicester Workshop, April 2009
"After the workshop in April I spent about 4-6 weeks working diligently on various TI drills but still found it difficult to put it all together. Then commitments prevented me from swimming much for about a month. I started working on my swimming again a few weeks ago. Funnily enough, after that break everything seems to have fallen into place. Perhaps I was trying too hard before. Anyway, over the last few weeks I have really settled into swimming whole-stroke, relaxed my breathing etc.
So, today I decided to count my strokes. At first I was doing 25m in about 18 strokes (without even trying very hard). Then I started holding the glide longer, and putting a bit more oomph into each stroke (but not forcing it). I quickly got the SPL down to 16, then 15 and (once) 14. It was all pretty effortless too!
This is just a few months after the workshop. I am amazed and delighted at the progress I have made. And I have still got so much useful information to keep working on. Thanks again for making this possible"
Helen Purdie-Scott, Brentwood - Advanced Workshop, June 2009
"Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the advanced workshop on Sunday and how useful it was. I suddenly gained an increased awareness of core movements and the importance of elbow lead (my eureka moment!) and ever since things have felt distinctly different! I owe a lot to you and Total Immersion and am so grateful"
Alex Thomson, Essex, 1:1 TI Instruction, Aug 2009
"Just wanted write to comment on the great TI sessions I had at Tri n Swim Well in Rochford.
Dawn and Jill coached me in TI over 3 lessons and 5 hours and have transformed me from a flailing, exhausted-after-two-lengths, novice in to something that resembles a reasonable swimmer - I did my first 'proper' open water swim on Saturday and easily covered a kilometre of the lake whilst keeping up comfortably with what I would have normally considered an 'advanced' group.
It gave me such a buzz to emerge from the water barely out of breath and I would have been ready to hit the bike feeling fresh.
Dawn and Jill's coaching is a credit to the TI name and I have already recommended them to many friends"
Chris Beadsmore, Reading, June 2009
"A bit of feedback on TI - I entered a tri about 3 months ago and had to 'embark' on the painful task of learning to swim - I did about 20 sessions before I 'discovered' TI swimming - thank god!!! It's a total revelation and I've brought my stroke count down from about 20/22 to 15/16...and obviously now look on in horror at all the other swimmers in the pool (why isn't everyone doing TI??? I've never seen so much struggle for zero gains!)"
Jennie Harland-Khan, West Sussex - Windsor Workshop, May 2009
"I wanted to thank you for the weekend. It was clearly challenging for me and right out of my comfort zone but that is always a good thing and knew it would be. But I learnt a huge amount and it has made me even more determined on my mission to swim properly after completely avoiding it for the last 36 years. Your team of coaches were fantastic and obviously dedicated so please pass on my thanks again to them"
Jonny Fergus O'Brien - Hampton Workshop, March 2010
I wanted to thank you and the team so much for a great course last weekend. Back ‘practising’ in the pool this week felt so much better. Given me lot of motivation to get into the pool early mornings and have been evangelising with pretty much everyone who will listen....
Hannah Moorhouse - Hampton Workshop, March 2010
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your colleagues for the workshop this weekend. I really enjoyed the sessions, although I must confess that the video analysis at the end of the course did put a slight dampener on things, what with my 'happy feet' and my laser pointer way off the mark. However, I think the fact that my stroke count on my last length was almost ten less than at the start of the course and I wasn't fighting for breath as I left the pool are a sign that I have improved. I joined the course as someone who never learned to swim as a child (I recall doing around half a dozen lessons at school with the kind of instructor who just threw you in the water and shouted at you). I have only been trying to teach myself freestyle for around six months by watching how other people swim at the pool, probably not the most scientific method, so I was starting from a pretty low level of knowledge and experience.
One of the most positive things to come out of the weekend for me is that I came along as a runner who wanted to learn to swim for that elusive triathlon (seems it was a common theme this weekend). I have come away wanting to learn to swim purely for the joy of swimming.
Steve Cappa - Sandbach Workshop, February 21010
53 years old – I’ve tried learning to swim every which way and at best it was a fight for survival just to get down the length of a pool – which was reflected in the video and the 24 strokes it took me to do the pool at the start of the weekend. Sunday night my stroke was down to 13 and I enjoyed every second of it. I even wished the pool had been longer. I did not even recognise myself on the wrap up video. I am still a long way from the best I can be and I have lots of work to do but thanks to you all I have an enjoyable path/lane to travel.
Thanks for a great weekend – and yes Rim (TI Coach) it was life changing.
Liz Sim, Midlothian - Scotland Workshop, Sept 2009
"It was a fantastic weekend, have just been explaining it all to the guys at work. Apologies for my sour face on the Sunday afternoon, think I'd run out of steam. Some food and caffeine soon fixed that though and I regained the ability to smile. It may not have looked like it but I'm genuinely chuffed with how it all went. As for finding a TI buddy, I had my 9 year old neice on the phone last night telling me that in order to swim I need to relax, rotate and reach. Smarty pants. Back to the local pool on Thursday, and cant wait to practice the basic drills"
Alan Hall, Cheadle - Leicester Workshop, April 2009
"Just got back from my first pool session since the weekend, and I now understand what you all meant by effortless swimming. Obviously still got a long way to go but tonight demonstrated the benefit of the
workshop, and the calibre of the tuition. I was asked to leave the pool because they wanted to close, but felt as if i could have carried on all night.
At the start of the workshop I said that I used to believe I was a reasonable swimmer and was now obsessed by becoming one. I am now firmly on the path.
Thanks again for a great experience, your patience, commitment and appreciation that swimming is fun"
Julian Read, Stoke - Sandbach Workshop, April 2009
"Thank you for last weekend. I applied my new found knowledge this morning! I just couldn't quite help myself other than to give it a go!
I'm not quite Alexander Popov but I have to say there was a notable improvement.
My breathing is the most improved feature, then the improvement in efficiency and now that you've given me the knowledge to bring some propulsion into my stroke I'm sure I'll see improvements there very soon"
Adrian Stewart, Market Harborough - 1:1 TI session, Dec 2008
"Many thanks for useful session. Excellent feedback and really useful watching the dvd. Have only been able to swim about 3 times since but have been concentrating on breathing and relaxing my recovery. Made an instant difference. Straight away 21 strokes per length down from 24 and feels like a lot less effort and definitely a lot less splash"
Dave Stitt, Tyne & Wear - Scotland Workshop, Nov 2008
"I just cannot believe how much my swimming has come on in the last few months since I got the book and DVD and ditched/ unlearnt my old style and through the drills adopted my TI one. Your coaching and support has build on that and helped get me in the right (or at least a better) position. Also seeing myself on video and the tips around that …. Brilliantly helpful!
I have raced triathlon all distances since 1986, done well over a hundred including a few ironman ones and throughout all have ‘thrashed’ through the swimming leg coming out of the water half way up the field and feeling exhausted, if only I had learnt the proper way all those years ago, who knows. Anyway no regrets, I now have a fantastic new hobby to master and take me into the next 20 odd years though this time with grace. Someone came to me the other day and said ‘I have been watching you swim and you have a very graceful technique!! I would never have believed anyone would ever have said that about me … a hitherto thrasher and sinker!!
For the last 5 years or so I have just swam a mile as hard as I could every time I got in the water – my times were stuck at about 29 minutes, if anything I was getting slightly slower. I did my first TI mile the other day and I am not sure if its right but I think I was 5 minutes faster by the clock on the wall. Sometimes I lose count by the odd two lengths but no way by 10 lengths …. And I took it real easy!! What a fantastic result!!"
Colin McCullough, East Lothian - Scotland Workshop, Nov 2008
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jai (Evans) and Dixie (Mick Dean) for delivering exactly what TI promised in a friendly, relaxed but above all professional manner. I had a fantastic weekend learning a new skill, making new friends and laughing. I have no hesitation in recommending TI to anyone interested in taking up the sport"
Michael Shanks, Leicester - Newbury Workshop, Oct 2008
"Just a note from Amanda and myself to thank you and your colleagues for a splendid weekend at Newbury. I've always enjoyed a range of sports, participating with enthusiasm, not skill / talent. I've never been on a coaching course that has achieved so much so quickly - it's a fantastic course.
We look forward to seeing you again for a refresher at Loughborough"
Julie Taylor, Doncaster - 1:1 TI sessions through 2008
"Just a quick note to thank you for your expertise in correcting Sophie's swimming strokes. The improvements in her times have been amazing and speak for themselves, this obviously has given her a lot of confidence and you have taught her to believe in herself.
At the ESSA Championships at Enfield last weekend we overheard a parent saying he was goiong to stay for the finals just to watch that Sophie Taylor swim that beautiful breaststroke again. I think a comment like that, at that level of swimming, says it all. Thank you"
Mrs Mineko Funamizu, Uccle, Belgium - Dublin Workshop, Oct 2008
"Thank you for the Workshop in Dublin. I enjoyed it and had a good time. It was amazing to see my swim with my own eyes and I have realized my problems, above all "stressful neck"and etc, it is useful to improve my swim. And I was glad to meet the other TI swimmers because I swim 2 or 3 times per week but I have never met TI swimmer here. Thank you again for your staff members, they are kind and so patient"
Aengus Morrin, County Kildare - Dublin Workshop, Oct 2008
"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the recent course in dublin. Swimming had always been a bit of a mystery so great to learn the detail of how to swim properly. I very much felt that we were getting the most up to date information on how to swim. I was also like to compliment you on your coaching technique as I felt that your technical and overall knowledge was outstanding. My compliments to your team who were extremely patient and helpful throughout. Larry (Mahoney) in particular was very sympathetic to those of us who struggled with the drills telling us we were making progress even though it felt like we were drowning"
Andrew Heaney, Hampshire - London Workshop, March 2008
"I did the Total Immersion course in London at the end of March this year. The reason was to be able to do an Ironman swim - quite a challenge since I could not really do much more that 400m without gasping for breath. It worked - did the 2.5 miles in a sedate 1'45" and came out hardly puffing (I tend to find if I push any quicker than this technique goes awry) and with enough energy left to finish the rest in a total of 15'37". Anyway, thanks for getting me through the bit I was really unsure whether I could do"
Gary Thompson, Wiltshire - Newbury Workshop, Aug 2008
"Just a quick note of thanks for an enjoyable weekend of TI instruction. I realised quite quickly that I was probably not a strong enough swimmer for the course but you and your team have given me plenty to work on and the tools to do that efficently, and that's exactly what I wanted from the weekend so mission accomplished! Please pass on my thanks to all your instructors as they worked with a smile on there faces as well as patience and understanding. I'm sure by working on the clearly explained drills over the coming weeks and months my balance and efficiency will improve immeasurably"
Eric & MJ Rivand, Holland - Millfield 4-Stroke Camp, Aug 2008
"Just a quick note to say: THANKS.
Returned to our normal swimming routine this week with so much insight. The kids are so much more confident with their swimming, it is simply amazing. All 3 help each other apply the great things they learned with TI and your great team of coaches.
Lili is surprising the whole gallery. Parents are actually asking me if she has been swimming all summer long because Ian, she is swimming so very much more efficiently and powerfully. She is diligently applying herself and is successfully able to swim more easily. Phil is extremely appreciative for all he learnt about his strokes and is also swimming smarter. It is beautiful to see. Nick has been told that his strokes have improved tremendously as he is not fighting the water as before.. Thanks.
Competitions start mid-September. It should be a promising year. Please send our regards to all on the training staff with our sincere thx as well"
Reinhard Strömer, Bremen - 1:1 TI sessions, July 2008
"Having returned to Germany after a pleasant stay in London I would like to let you know that I benefitted a great lot from the lesson you gave. I found your feedback was precise, confidence-building and in every way very helpful. And I believe your set-up of the technical installation – pool, cameras, recording, and screening – was perfectly designed for an effective lesson. I have not yet experienced such a profound assistance in my development as a swimmer"
Canice Nuggent, County Armagh - Dublin Workshop, July 2008
"Ian just a brief note of thanks to yourself and Jai (Evans) for the coaching and instructiion at the Dublin weekend. I really enjoyed the sessions you have given us a lot to think about. I would definately recommend it to my friends.. I have been practicing the drills head down ignore camera and I feel more relaxed and silent through the water. I am looking forward to putting all the pieces together"
Colin Baillie, Open Water Swimmer - 1:1 TI Sessions, Spring 2008
"I thought I’d let you know my Bala lake (3 mile) times:
2007 2hrs 34 mins 44 secs
2008 2 hours 3 mins 52 seconds
You found me half an hour. Can you find me any more, plus some more distance please? Also did Torbay sea swim 4 miles difficult conditions 3 hrs 20 mins. Channel relay 2 weeks off aaaaaaaaaaaaaaghh!!"
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Nessa O'Hegarty, Dublin - Dublin Workshop, July 2008
"Thank you very much for a great weekend in Dublin. Yourself and your right hand man were so cheerful all the time, even though we must have been trying from time to time! I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for your patience"
David Abrams, Fareham - TI Workshop Alumni sent June 2008
"I did a TI course last Jan, and could just manage a length of TI freestyle by the end of it. Am now confident with 2k at sea, and have just finished my first sprint triathlon. Covered the 750m in the lake in 18 mins - well pleased - thank you for such an excellent course - it was brilliant!"