Who's done a Total Immersion weekend clinic?

[salsabike]

I am thinking about doing this as part of prepping for the Danskin. It's very expensive, so I would like to know if anyone's done one of these TI weekend clinics and, if so, how valuable you found it to be.

[renee]

I did not do a weekend clinic however when I began racing tris, I found a TI coach in my area and took lessons. I have been swimming since I was 3 years old but never learned good form or technique. IMO, that is the single best benefit from TI, you take home form tips that can be practiced so that your swim is efficient.Body balance, "catch" and follow through. Helped me tremendously.

[Over50Newbie]

I agree with Renee.

I didn't do an actual weekend, but took private lessons from a TI expert. You can go on their website and look for experts in your area.

I was a competitive swimmer as a child and swam competitively all through college. I actually felt that I didn't need any lessons at all - my stroke was good and my times were always at the top of the swimming part of a tri in my age group (usually in the top three finishers). So I figured that if it wasn't broke, don't fix it.

But then I met this person and he convinced me that I could swim just as fast, maybe even faster, with a lot less effort. That would let me have more energy for the bike and run. Sounded good to me, so I asked him for lessons.

OMG - it changed everything. I used to complete one length of a pool in 21 strokes, I can now do it in 14! I feel like I can glide forever and he was absolutely right - I am not half as tired when I leave the pool after a mile swim. And I am getting faster. I have learned to stretch my stroke and take advantage of rotating my hips more. I now don't swim on my stomach, I just pass through it while I rotate from side to side.

So, IMHO, it is definitely worth the money. But I have to warn you, it really takes practice. It is not like you go for the weekend, and then your stroke automatically changes.

Good luck - if you want to discuss this more, feel free to PM me.

Lynette