7 replies to this topic

[LaDiDa]

Can anyone recommend a swim coach in Sydney? I don't think I am ready for a squad yet as my confidence isn't great but my swim is clearly my weakest point. I am happy to join a squad in the future but I would like to take advantage of some time off work and some one to one coachng.

I learnt to swim January this in a 25m pool. I only took 5 lessons and I have the basic stroke down but out at Penrith yesterday I started to panic when I got a little out of breath and was unable to get back into the rhythmn.

Prior to learning I was a terrible fear of putting my face in the water and I guess I still am!

Any recommendations would be appreciated. I am finding this so hard to learn as an adult.

[Suzy]

I'm not in Sydney so can't recommend anyone specific but see if you can find someone who teaches Total Immersion. There are books and DVD's available on this method but I've found you really improve more with one on one coaching or a workshop. Stick with it - once you're comfortable with it swimming is a really enjoyable activity (though maybe not so much when you're trying to swim around a buoy with 500 other people).

[Dutchie]

Hi Ladida,

I can relate to your swimming completely. I felt the same and had little panic attacks when only swimming 50m.

I went along to my local swimming pool (Hornsby) and got Stroke Correction lessons.
I had about 4 or 5 lessons (which consisted of one other person or just myself) $15 for 30mins and then did heaps of practice inbetween and the improvement and confidence it has given me is "Out of this World."

I would recommend this path to enlightenment!!!

Dutchie

[NvrGiveUp]

sorry to hijack but also looking for the same.. sydny west area.. but can drive out to other areas.. eg hills distrcit etc.

[tiger angel]

LaDiDa, I was out at the Hills race yesterday. What a shame we didn't know and could have met. It was a harder swim yesterday as we were swimming into a current caused by the wind. I went off course which I've never done before.

When I started to think about tri's I went to stroke correction classes at Waves (Baulkham Hills). When they decided I could swim 500 competently, they made me move to tri squads. After almost a year I did my first tri and despite swimming 2-3ks per session, I still had a major panic in the 250 swim. I stuck with the squads for about 18 months but got some injury and fell away.

I, also, found the tri squads quite intimidating so when I was ready to return to regular swimming I searched for an alternative. In the end I found the Cherrybrook pool (Carlisle mob) where they have started adult fitness classes. There requirement was to be able to swim 200m straight and I feel more comfortable here.

That's my story but I'd suggest going to the local pool and looking for stroke correction for adults or asking for a private session with one of the teachers. Good luck.

[LaDiDa]

Hi Tiger Angel,

next time I will post, it would have been nice to have met a few others. Although it was great fun and everyone was so supportive.

I found the swim so hard. I did the nepean enticer in November and my swim was a full 3 minutes slower but its good to know the wind may have contributed. Although my several small moments of anxiety didn't help. I should have just stopped and got myself together and then kept swimming.

I am a member of a tri club but they don't have any formal swimming sessions as such and my closest pool is North Sydney and everyone seems so .... competent, but I will ask around.

I thought I had come so far since january but yesterday had me back at square one. At least I know to spend more time in the pool than on the bike.

But I have decided I want a new bike as well

Edited by LaDiDa, 07 December 2008 - 07:34 PM.

[Bugsjuice]

LaDida - well done for starting and learning to swim so quickly. I could always swim but after a couple of coaching sessions my version of swimming was more like dog paddling once I knew what I was doing wrong (which was pretty much everything). Having a swim coach or stroke correction classes will help you develop technique which over time will make you faster and more importantly, more efficient.

Depending where you live will probably determine where you go for coaching. I'm in Sydney's East and the coach I have been to is "In the Deep" (Craig [stroke correction] & Sasha [learn to swim]) at Souths Juniors. Craig also has a squad and I'm probably at the point where I should switch into squad, but being off injured for a while I wouldn't dare at the moment - I'd sink from being so unfit. There is also stroke correction classes at Boy Charlton School - not a bad place for a lunchtime dip and run.

If you want details for "In The Deep" PM me and I'll give you contact details.

Best of luck!
Bugs

Edit - sorry just read your last post properly and saw your closest pool was North Sydney... There's a pool at Fitness First St Leonards if that helps? Could you make it over the bridge once a week for classes?

Edited by Bugsjuice, 08 December 2008 - 09:39 AM.

[James77]

Hi LaDiDa,

you are definatley not alone with your concerns and the term I like most is brick - I am definatley one of them!!!!!!

I could swim enough to save my own life but intems of "swimming" well that is another story - flah forward 3 months and I can do soem laps - mainly withlots of stopping as my breathing is very poor and I seem to struggle for breath and do not get comfortable.

I too went to a squad - well 2 - the first was intimidating and was told this is their slowest swimmer - basically I took it as a hint and walked away.

teh second was really nice - he helped me but I need the one on one attention to get me going - then I would love to go back and repay his kindness and attention those 2 sessions - I know I took some away from hsi normal squad guys and gals.

so if anyone knows a good squad or coach in brisbane - closih to city - say lower north or lower south etc - please advise details - even if anyone can assist - happy to pay.

I kind of feel better in the pool but in the open water swims I feel very uncomfortable and in the salt water I struggle - I hate salt water!!!!!! but I have taken the harden up attitude but know getting my swim and breathing will help so much. My biggest problem with breathing is I breathe to one side only, do not put the head out enough and do not catch anough air it would seem as I just feel out of air and not comfortable to concentrate on stroke and rythmn

Any advice, techniques and Drills would be helpful but a coach or someone willing to help a newie would be even better.

I have a 750m swimcoming up and I am really worried as I finished but struggled over 300m and 400m so just intend to take my time , do my best and try and push my limit. I seem to come out of the water very close to last at the moment so reckon I will definatley over this longer distance.

I think doing the real short courses is just not pushing myself to the limit and where I eventually want to be at.

thanks guys