…I suddenly understood the fun and joy that TI swimming offered! As I pushed off for each lap, it took me a stroke or two to get my feet and hands in synch, but then, I would complete the lap in rhythm. This was the feeling I’d been looking for; the water itself was helping me move through it…

In the summer of 2002 I made a decision that – though I didn't realize it at the time – would enhance my quality of life for the rest of my days. I sought a personal coach to learn how to swim efficiently. My coach, Claire McCarty, is a trainer and a national triathlon competitor. We agreed to meet three days a week for a 90-minute swim followed by a 90-minute bike ride. When we started, I thought I needed only a bit of minor tweaking. It took just one lap to learn otherwise!

I consider myself very fortunate that Claire was a Total Immersion (TI) disciple. My two biggest initial problems were no progress as I kicked and sinking legs. We solved both by practicing the TI drills with fins. For four months we worked on all elements of freestyle technique with about 60% TI drills and 40% whole-stroke swimming. I swam nearly every day (sometimes twice a day) because I was enjoying the water so thoroughly. I entered the Treasure Island Triathlon (Olympic distance in San Francisco) in early November of 2002.

I finished, but was able to maintain my stroke for only about 300 meters of the 1500-meter swim because of seasickness and frozen hands and feet. I finished the bike ride in a decent time and walked the 6-mile run (bone on bone in the left knee) to finish. Claire met me at the finish line and related that it can take a beginner up to a year to become a decent swimmer. I was determined to become not just average but an efficient swimmer and understood that would take a lot of work. In December 2003, I met Ironman legend Mark Allen at a party at the Spokesman bike shop in Santa Cruz and he said that the best thing I could do would be to take a TI swim clinic. Claire and I discussed it and we decided to attend a workshop in San Francisco together in December 2002, which we both enjoyed thoroughly. Soon after, though, Claire relocated, though we remain in touch. Seeking a replacement for Claire’s coaching, I observed a couple of Masters workouts but felt I could make more progress using TI and acting as my own coach.

I began reading every article and Q&A on the TI web site and e-mailing Terry with questions that came up. He was generous with his time and insights. By July 2003 I felt confident in my technique, but still felt too dependent on fins during drills. Watching the TI freestyle video, I observed that the swimmers used a very relaxed kick with barely any knee bend. I tried this in the pool and was able to kick a length without fins. I immediately did about 1000 yards practicing TI drills, the first time I’d been able to drill and feel good, without fins I then tried swimming with this kick but couldn’t feel a connection between the kick and the whole stroke. I watched the rest of my fellow swimmers in the pool and everyone looked like I felt. They all seemed to be using too much energy to get up and down the pool. They seemed okay with it because they wanted a workout and that’s what they were getting. I wanted something different – to move through the water effortlessly and to feel in tune with the water.

I watched the TI video several more times, re-read Terry’s article on the "two beat kick" and noted that Terry said you should feel your opposing hand and foot slicing down together. I tried it and after three or four tries, I was on my way! I felt a seamless connection in the whole stroke that I'd never felt before. My back foot going down rolls the same hip and shoulder up bringing my mouth to the air. My upper torso then falls forward and the opposite arm I'm reaching out with pulls my body past it as I then reach out with the upper arm and kick down with the opposite foot repeating the sequence.

It felt easy and I suddenly understood the fun and joy that TI swimming offered! As I pushed off for each lap, it took me a stroke or two to get my feet and hands in synch, but then, I would complete the lap in rhythm. This was the feeling I’d been looking for; the water itself was helping me move through it! It reminded me of the dolphins in Monterey Bay – they’d surface for air, and then using their weight they would just fall forward letting their weight generate speed.

After twelve months of diligent and mindful practice I feel connected with each stroke and every lap is a pleasure. As I swim, I think only of my stroke and how to reduce resistance move through the water with maximum efficiency. If I do that, in a relaxed consistent way, then, over time, I will be able to reduce my stroke count and enjoy many more "happy laps." I know I’m a relative beginner, but it does feel good to know what it take to progress continually! It took a lot of patience, determination, discovery, and of course, practice, practice and more practice. But I’m excited by the possibility of more improvement in the future! Even more satisfying, is that I have been able to pass on to others some of the insights I have gained.

Living in Santa Cruz CA, John Frigon's business in employee benefits, retirement planning and estate planning is always challenging and rewarding. Personal growth is also challenging and rewarding and has been coming with leaps and bounds. Over the years, prior interests in tae kwondo and running have led to tennis, life cycle use (replacing running) and light weight training. A year or so ago John decided to add swimming and cycling to his activities. While both are satisfying, swimming has been more challenging and consequently more rewarding! A spiritual awakening two years ago opened the way for seeing the world through new eyes. John is definitely a more balanced and happy human being! You can reach John at jfrigon@comcast.net.