What Oak said. I took lessons to learn how to swim (I wouldn't put my face in the water when I started) but have worked on my stroke and form on my own since. www.swimsmooth.com has helped a lot. If all you want to do is finish a sprint tri, just remember that all you have to do is get from point a to point b. You don't have to have perfect form or swim a certain way. I have seen people back stroke in the deep end and walk the shallow end in a pool swim and finish strong. You can make up your time in the bike and run.