So, I signed up for a Master's swim class in preparation for my first Tri and have finished the first week of class. To say I'm disappointed would be about correct, but I have some questions because maybe it's just me.

First, I freely admit I'm NOT a swimmer. I was never taught to swim beyond one summer's worth of "here's how you swim to save your life". I know my stroke leaves something to be desired and I know I'm, well, rather bad. Maybe I'd be more suited to an Intermediate swim type class, but I don't want or need to learn how to breast stroke, butterfly, or anything else. I need/want to fix/learn my freestyle and be decent enough (in 2 months) to stay afloat and hopefully not make a donkey's rear end out of myself on a 1/2 mile swim course. Because of this I thought I was more suited to a Master's type program that's more flexible.

Well, maybe not. The instructor has flat out said: "I really don't know what to do with you since your endurance is so poor right now". Really? I thought I was PAYING you to fix that!?!? (not to mention I am not sure what he means by "endurance" but I made darn sure I could swim .75/1 mile before I set foot in that class. Considering the class is an hour long it's not like I've given him NOTHING to work with).

Ok, so that urked me, but maybe I'll still get something out of it?

He had me do flip turns (which I don't know how to and don't care to know how to do at this point) for 1/2 the class last meeting. I don't think this is the most productive use of my time *right this instant* considering I'm training for an open water tri (he knows this). Am I wrong?

The other half was backstroke. Again, not something I directly need to know, but maybe this is helping build stroke and arm strength without me having to worry about breathing? Or is it crap work?

He's also having me try to do 200m+ only breathing every 5th stroke. I'm (relatively) comfortable doing the 3-2 breathing pattern discussed some here, but this every 5th stroke is something I CANNOT maintain at this point longer than 75-100m. When I do maintain it my stroke goes to crap (and then I start sucking in water and sinking or having to roll over on my back and gasp for minutes at a time). Is this really helping to build my lung capacity in a way that will meaningfully help me in a tri type environment or is he trying to make me into a competitive swimmer in the pool (which is what I think he's getting at, trying to get me up to not breathing for an entire length...yes, he's said as much. I'm all for building up my lungs some, but I don't see any benefits to holding my breath for an entire 25m...am I wrong again?)

He also gives very little feedback and seems to enjoy standing at the end of the pool with a huge smirk on his face while I attempt to catch my breath after swimming 100's of yards with no air (and a lot of inhaled water!).

Basically, I have no faith in him. Hard for me to after he flat out said he didn't know what to do with me. Is he giving me any good training or is he gearing towards some goal that is not mine (like competitive swimming)? I'm not sure what to do, but I honestly think I was getting more out of swimming laps by myself.

I know you all are going to suggest the total immersion stuff, and I really am thinking about it. I was hoping for an in person trainer that could help as I do respond to external motivation and work harder....well, when that external motivation suits my training/being yelled at style.

Ack, what to do? Is he a better coach than I'm giving him credit for, or is he derailing my training like I suspect? There is a different Master's swim class earlier in the morning (presumably taught by someone different), but I'm not sure if the gym will let me switch classes at this point.