[quote=elhewman]... am scared to try that flipping underwater and pushing of the wall thing. [/quote]

No need for flip turns in a pool swim tri. You'll be fine without it.

Do you have a Y close by? The adult swim class rates (in my area at least) are very reasonable for members and non members alike. I say start there.

Good luck!

I agree. You have PLENTY of time to get yourself prepared to swim ten laps. If the local Y doesn't have adult swim class rates, look up Master's swim programs and ask if they have a class appropriate for beginners.

You're absolutely on the right track. It's much better to learn correctly now, rather than having to break bad habits by starting off with poor swim mechanics.

And don't sweat the flip turn thing. Eventually you'll be doing the shorter triathlons outside swimming in the open water... turns only matter if you are going to swim competitively in the pool.

If you can’t swim at all a structured class probably would be best. There are a few good web sites that can help with techniques if you are able to swim but need help with breathing and form.

Swimsmooth.com is one I enjoy.

+1 to the no flip turns. I keep telling myself I'm going to learn it one day but once I'm in the pool I never spend the time too. Plus you definitely don't need it for open water.

I had never swam a day in my life when I got into tri's and started out learning on my own using the TI (Total Immersion) system. There DVD's are a good place to start if you don't want to spend the money on a coach or classes. I was able to complete a HIM comfortably but slow using what I learned on the DVD's. You should be able to get through your first tri, especially a sprint pool swim, on that system.

If you stick with tri's though get a coach or swim with a class. I did eventually and it was amazing how much faster I got once I had somebody watching me and telling me where my technique was off. May is plenty of time. Good luck, once you do one you are going to be hooked.

+1 on the TI (Total Immersion) system. I used it to get somewhat competent in free-style, and then hired a coach to help fine-tune my stroke. It's possible to learn bad habits without a coach, but The TI system focuses on getting comfortable moving through the water, relaxing into it, and general form, so it's hard to go too wrong with that.

[quote=groovyjen][quote=elhewman]... am scared to try that flipping underwater and pushing of the wall thing. [/quote][/quote]

I keyed in on this too, but for different reasons. If flip turns in a crystal-clear pool so shallow you could stand up scare you, what is reassuring about murky, deep water far from shore, minimal (if any) safety measures with hundreds of other swimmers making full contact with you?

I may be wrong but sounds like he/she is looking to do a sprint with a pool swim so the "murky deep water" shouldn't be a problem. Pool swim is a good place to start for Tri especially if your not so comfortable with the swim. And don't worry about the flip turn, go to your local pool and you'll only see a handful of people doing it. Learn proper swim technique ... lots time (if ever) to figure out the flips.

Good luck and have fun!

+1 to everybody, there are plenty of good swimming resources out there that don't cost hundreds of dollars. DVDs, online resources, local classes through the Y or other clubs, Masters groups, etc. Even a good swim coach usually isn't that expensive. Where I coach, weekly one-on-ones with me runs about $72 a month ($18 per half hour lesson). In that amount of time, I can generally get people from "I can't swim a lap without dying" to "I can comfortably complete a sprint triathlon in a pool".

Don't worry about flip turns for now. As a general rule of thumb, unless you're consistently swimming :45 - :50 per 50 yards (or faster), a flip turn is not going to buy you anything over a good open-wall turn anyways. Lots of people who do flip turns would be better off doing wall turns, and even those of us who flip turn easily often use at least some wall turns in a pool triathlon for the simple reason that it keeps you more aerobic and less anaerobic, especially in a crowded pool where the turns can get congested.

[quote=TriSooner][quote=groovyjen][quote=elhewman]... am scared to try that flipping underwater and pushing of the wall thing. [/quote][/quote]

I keyed in on this too, but for different reasons. If flip turns in a crystal-clear pool so shallow you could stand up scare you, what is reassuring about murky, deep water far from shore, minimal (if any) safety measures with hundreds of other swimmers making full contact with you? [/quote]

It seems like this is a regional thing, but the vast majority of sprints in my area (at least the more beginner friendly ones) are pool swims. For me, open water was sprint triathlon phase II. Possible murky water / full body contact swimming concerns, IMO, are something to contend with somewhat later.

If you've got a couple of pools in town, ask if they have Masters swimming programs!

Again it may be a regional thing, but I think we scare people off with the "full body contact swim" notion. I've never had a problem with it here in the MidWest when there are wave starts, even at Kansas 70.3. I think we choose to get into the scrum but most of it can be avoided easily by either not starting in the front couple rows of swimmers or starting off the the slide of the line-up. I'm not saying that there isn't some occasional contact, but it's not like people are trying to drown you. But granted, with a water polo background I may not perceive it being as tumultuous as others.

I have been swimming for about 3 years, I am 42 and I taught myself. I am now learning why I should have taken the time to go and find a class. It doesn't have to be expensive, it doesn't have to be one on one either. But you need to have someone watch you, correct you, and explain to you how to do a stroke how to stretch, how to grab the water and how to breathe correctly. Sprinting is a different style than long distance. If swimming is big in your town, then there is a coach there somewhere... Find him or her. Join a swim club as a complete beginner. One more thing, I had all the theory, I read it all on the net, watched the videos and I was still doing it wrong. Find that coach... they are in that place where all those pool honours have been won.

The 3 most popular swimming strokes are Front Crawl, Breast Stroke and Back Stroke. When learning to swim it is important to practice as often as possible. This will build up your confidence in the water. Learning to swim can become fun by participating in swimming lessons, it is also much easier to learn with the aid of a qualified instructor. Swimming lessons are available in most communities through private gymnasiums and programs such as the American Red Cross, Swim America, public schools, YMCAs, and sports clubs.

When starting out, most instructors provide floatation equipment, this is a good idea as you will be able to focus on your stroke technique without worrying about staying afloat. Choose floatation equipment that does not restrict your arm and leg movements and do not rely upon the equipment to keep you afloat in deep water, it is only to be used as a swimming aid. If you start using inflatable flotation equipment, try deflating the device bit by bit as your skills improve. Soon you will find you don't need the equipment any more.

thanks

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[quote=mivv]When starting out, most instructors provide floatation equipment, this is a good idea as you will be able to focus on your stroke technique without worrying about staying afloat. If you start using inflatable flotation equipment, try deflating the device bit by bit as your skills improve. Soon you will find you don't need the equipment any more.
[/quote]

+1. I personally recommend that all of my swimmers use waterwings. We deflate them a bit each week and after a few weeks, most of them find they don't need them any more!

[img]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:Ytc3iug5009vKM:http://www.worldofstoc...

Can someone explain masters swimming programs to me? Swimming has always been the foreign event to me and i've been able to get down to 50-52 seconds per 50 on my own but from what I can tell my form is still awful. I do about 22 strokes per lap and splash a lot. A masters class sounds appealing, but so intimidating since my form is so bad.

50 yards or Metres as thats not a bad time for metres (that said is that a one off or your regular pace) and your stroke count for one arm is simular to my own over 50m, which is ok.

[quote=Milesofsmiles15]Can someone explain masters swimming programs to me? Swimming has always been the foreign event to me and i've been able to get down to 50-52 seconds per 50 on my own but from what I can tell my form is still awful. I do about 22 strokes per lap and splash a lot. A masters class sounds appealing, but so intimidating since my form is so bad. [/quote]

Master's swimming is just an organized swim workout, usually led by a coach, in which a bunch of age-group swimmers get together to swim somewhere between 2500 - 5000 meters. Master's groups vary widely from extremely competitive to extremely laid back. Some Master's groups are peopled heavily by triathletes, some are mostly just swimmers. Some have very hands-on coaches with lots of technique feedback and some coaches just write up the workouts and call it good. So if you've got more than one Master's group in your area, visit them all and see which is a good fit for you.

If you're consistently in the 50 - 52 seconds per 50 range, you would fit in to most of the Master's groups I know of in the slow lane. This is good because if the coach is hands-on, that's where you'll get the most drills and skill instruction. Don't be afraid to ask the coach for more stroke feedback if that's what you're looking for!