I just googled for demonstration videos of people swimming properly. Worked quite well and was free and quick.

Total Immersion swimming is the way

there are dvd's and some videos on youtube

[url] http://www.swimsmooth.com [/url]

I've never used it myself but seen it recommended a lot elsewhere.

Not keen on total immersion but that's mainly because there was someone in my old club who was very evangelical about it and would try to 'coach' other swimmers who were all much better than him (we had a great coach already)

iDave +1

Videos on youtube will not make up for buying the DVD. 1 hour a day for 2 weeks will be a good start.

The first chapter in the Total immersion book will make a massive difference to anyone who hasn't been trained properly. It did to me.

Buying some speedos instaid of baggy shorts will knock 2-3 seconds off each lap.

I also prefer the swimsmooth "school" to Total Immersion. Mainly because TI isn't much good for open water swimming, but also the massive emphasis in TI on gliding for as long as possible isn't really conducive to swimming as fast as you possibly can for most people.
Swimsmooth puts more importance on stroke rate which i think is lacking from the TI book.

Good point. I found TI was great for getting me a long way rather than going fast. I'd usually not be the quickest in the pool, but I'd always swim the furthest.

Depends what the OP wants.

The first chapter in the Total immersion book will make a massive difference to anyone who hasn't been trained properly. It did to me.

Me too. I guess it might be different for people who are good swimmers with a well balanced and efficient technique already, but for me it took me from being a half a length maximum of crawl, to being able to swim it until I get bored. I seem to have lent out the TI book to loads of similar people since also.

I also prefer the swimsmooth "school" to Total Immersion. Mainly because TI isn't much good for open water swimming

Really? Why not? I haven't seen the swim smooth videos other than what is on their website, but their advice on sighting etc. looks very similar? Their swimming technique looks similar also.

Having said that, as I don't race, and I usually swim moving water of some kind, I swim breaststroke for any tricky sections of open water, or where I need to sight very much (or feet first on the back for any rapids where I don't feel confident to go in head first!).

The swim smooth website is brilliant though, not seen it before, but they have a pretty comprehensive load of stuff on there, whereas TI, you really have to buy the books etc.

Hmph, haven't really had much chance to swim this year, except for taking the baby swimming at the pool, which is great fun but isn't quite the same thing! Only a couple of river swims so far. Hopefully I might get a quick swim in the Thames dodging boats and the tide next weekend if the weather permits.

Really? Why not? I haven't seen the swim smooth videos other than what is on their website, but their advice on sighting etc. looks very similar? Their swimming technique looks similar also.

A big part of the stroke that TI advocates is making yourself long, with one arm out front, while the other arm recovers - "gliding". If the water is choppy or there's a current you need to keep propelling yourself forward, so the TI stroke isn't that effective.

You're right, swimsmooth isn't that different, but with the greater emphasis on stroke rate you'll be swimming with less of a deadspot power delivery-wise.

I haven't done any OW yet this year either - i'm not sure how low the rivers in Derbyshire are at the moment? Hopefully they've recovered a bit now.

good luck with cracking 100 pull-ups! 😯

Kev

I haven't done any OW yet this year either - i'm not sure how low the rivers in Derbyshire are at the moment? Hopefully they've recovered a bit now.

Derwent at Chatsworth was fine a month back (always is because of the weirs), Derwent at Eye's Meadow, Duffield (one of the best swims on the Derwent I think) was also good, not too shallow, but shallow enough for the rapids to be fun.

I was up Dovedale a bit back walking, and that was looking alright too, although that is only nice pools to swim in, not really something you can swim down (except possibly in mid winter - brrrr!).

If you happen to be on Facebook, the Outdoor Swimming Society people have a facebook page and there is some nice person called Sarah on there who has been organising a load of swims in Derbyshire, I've not managed to go on one yet, but it sounds like they've been pretty good so far.

A big part of the stroke that TI advocates is making yourself long, with one arm out front, while the other arm recovers - "gliding". If the water is choppy or there's a current you need to keep propelling yourself forward, so the TI stroke isn't that effective.

Ah, I see. I guess I do stroke a bit faster when going upstream in strong currents, never really thought about that.

OK not 100 pull ups, but there is a program similar to bthe 100 push ups one, can't remember its name though

Aim for 20 maybe.

Re the TI stroke... just don't glide as much. Not looked at the open water TI guides but even the pool one moves on to increasing stroke rate.

The gliding is all about learning to be as efficient and streamline as possible. With this sorted... just move your arms faster, hey presto, quicker swimming.

Just record some Youtube footage from olympic 1500m on your laptap. If you want soemthing easier as a model try triatletes. This is a nice easy way to swim:

Thanks Joe, i'll have to try that Duffield spot. I'm not so keen on the idea of doing it en masse with the Facebook group though!

total immersion videos on youtube helped me 'hone my stroke'