I am reading this thread with interest because I am in the same situation. I suck at swimming and because I'm so blind, I have avoided putting my face in the water for 30 years. Now I want to do a tri?! I am going to buy some prescription swim goggles (found out they are way cheaper than I thought) and sign up for private lessons. The hardest part for me is just getting wet. Those darn public swimming pools are always so cold. I never even like going in for "fun"!

Knot - it's good to know I could theoretically dog-paddle and side stroke my way thru the swim portion - I hadn't thought of that! I would love to do the Try-a-Tri here next summer...