Total Immersion Swimming

For information regarding weekend workshops,
visit our workshop schedule page.

Please note: We can only recommend certified coaches. This is an updated
and complete listing of Total Immersion coaches. We'll be updating this
list regularly as more coaches are certified.

Alabama

Anne is a Total Immersion Teaching Professional and a USA Triathlon Level I Certified Coach. She is the co-owner of Camelback Coaching, a multisport coaching company, and she coaches a masters swimming group, the Eldorado Tri Masters, a program specifically designed for athletes without swimming backgrounds. Anne was an age group, high school, and collegiate swimmer. She has also competed in triathlons for over 16 years in all distances from sprint to Ironman. Anne has helped many types of people with varying abilities reach their swimming goals, from those just learning to swim to elite-level triathletes.

Bob Wiskera

Dallas, Texas
Please write to Keith@totalimmersion.net for referral information.

Fiona Laughlin

Los Angeles and New York City
Aubri O'Connor - Fiona Laughlin's assistant/contact
person for booking Fiona
fionalaughlinswim@gmail.com
646.610.0070

Besides Terry Laughlin, Fiona Laughlin, Terry's daughter, is the longest running Total Immersion coach. She is one of a small group of TI Senior Directors, the highest level of TI certification. Fiona started swimming competitively on U.S.S. agegroup teams at 9 years old, and continued her competitive swimming career through high school and college. She assisted her father at the very first
T.I. camp at Colgate University in 1989 at the age of 14, and is now one of only 10 T.I. senior coaches and Directors worldwide. Over the past 16 years Fiona has
coached swimmers of all ability levels and backgrounds: college swimmers, triathletes, age groupers, novice, children, and fitness swimmers, at
T.I. camps, college teams, Masters and triathlon teams.

In 2002 Fiona took up the practice and study of yoga, and now aims to teach swimming with the more eastern mentality of a yoga or tai chi teacher, with a mindful practice aimed at achieving a flow state in the water, in a way that is applicable to any and all swimmers from novice to elite. Fiona divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, directing TI workshops as well as private lessons. She is also in the process of setting up "teams" in New York and LA, where TI alum can come together for group practices on a regular basis with a TI coach. In addition to New York and LA classes, she is also available to travel to other locations for private coaching on request.

In addition to directing Total Immersion weekend workshops, she can also set up
a private TI workshop for a group of swimmers, including everything taught in the TI weekend workshops upon request. If you or your friends and/or team are interested in taking lessons or setting up a workshop with Fiona in New York, LA
or other locations, or to get info about the NY and LA TI teams, send her an
e-mail at: fionalaughlin@yahoo.com. You can check out her website at www.fionalaughlin.com for details about location, rates, etc, and contact her at 646.610.0070 with any questions.

Eric DeSanto

San Francisco, CA
please write to Keith@totalimmersion.net for referral information.

Leslie Thomas

San Francisco, CA
please write to Keith@totalimmersion.net for referral information.

Pam Haldane

Stony Creek, Ontario
(Greater Toronto Area & Niagara Region)
(905) 560-9623
Email: pam.haldane@sympatico.ca

Grant Molyneux

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 242-3765
Email: grant@vitalize.ca

As a former university hockey player and avid triathlete with 63 triathlons to his credit, Grant Molyneux has learned that we do not have to be superior athletes to achieve our goals; the average individual can achieve optimal health and revitalize their life with proper coaching. Grant is married to Wendy Ross and with their son, Scott, make their home in Calgary, Alberta, where they pursue the simple life, embracing the concepts he teaches in his practice. Grant's full-time occupation is as a fitness and lifestyle coach, through his private practice called Vitalize.

15 years high-level competitive swimming experience including Olympic trial qualification and winning of provincial and CIAU medals. Swimming NCCP, Level 3 Certified Coach with 15 plus years coaching experience in various locations including Bermuda, Scotland and Canada. Currently utilizing Total Immersion techniques in coaching teams, groups and individuals (from high school to Masters level) learn to swim technique refinement.

Peter has been swimming mindfully for over ten years and recently completed his four-stroke coach training with Terry Laughlin in 2006.

Experience in open water pursuits such as freediving, windsurfing, bodysurfing, and open water swimming has inspired Peter to help others enjoy the aquatic wilderness without the usual anxieties and struggle encountered with most swimming instruction.

In 2001, Peter competed for Team Canada at the World Freediving World Championships in Ibiza, Spain and has held several national freediving records. He has taught windsurfing, monofin swimming, and freediving and is a certified Canadian NLS lifeguard. Peter currently competes in Canadian Masters swimming and open water swimming races and practices underwater photography and videography while freediving.

Peter’s strength lies in clearly explaining how each drill works and which drills will be most useful in addressing your specific areas for improvement. He also specializes in helping new swimmers develop confidence and skill in “real world” water conditions.

Peter offers TI workshops and private lessons in Vancouver, BC for new swimmers, triathletes, and fitness swimmers. See www.seahiker.com for more information.

Brian Vande Krol

Denver, CO
Phone: (303) 466-4615
email: Brian@FDSCoaching.com
website: FDSCoaching.com

Brian has participated in many sports over the years: whitewater canoeing and kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, snowboarding, skydiving, and triathlon.
He has coached kayakers, rock climbers and skydivers to better enjoy their sports through mastery. Now he is focused on swimmers.

During his first year as a competitive triathlete, Brian struggled with the swim. He wasn’t fast, and he could barely walk after the swim leg of a triathlon. Then he found Total Immersion. After one year of TI swimming, he took over one minute off of his 1500M swim time, and came out of the water running! Now he’s hooked on TI, and shares his passion for swimming with his students.

Brian creates a comfortable environment, and strives to find the best path to success for each individual student.

Kevin Millerick

Denver, CO
Phone: 303-818-4283
email: tiukguy@aol.com

I've been a Total Immersion instructor since 1999. During that time
I've assisted at, or directed, over 100 TI workshops of all kinds
including Weekend Freestyle Workshops, Kid's Camps, 4 Stroke
Workshops and Teacher Training Workshops. From 2002-2007 I was Head
Coach/Managing Director of Total Immersion in the UK. I coach the
Castle Rock masters & Rocky Mountain Storm age group teams. I also swim
regularly, competing in masters events.

Since moving back to the States, I operate SwimTech, a swim instruction
company located in Castle Rock, CO. We have a dual-current Endless Pool
& are able to teach every age & ability of swimmer. We offer private,
semi-private & group instruction in our swim studio. Come for an hour,
the whole day or an entire weekend depending on how much time you have
& how much you'd like to learn! The Endless Pool is the ideal
environment for accelerated learning due to the warm water, cozy
environment & accessiblility of the swimmer for personal, hands-on
instruction. So, whether you're a parent with a baby looking for water
confidence or a serious compititive swimmer or triathlete, our staff of
experienced instructors can help you swim smarter, better & faster than
you ever thought possible.

Beth Barnes

Orlando, FL
(407) 384-2933 home
(407) 408-4274 cell
Email: bbarnes4@yahoo.com

Beth is a Total Immersion Senior Coach, an American Swimming Coaches Association Level 1 Coach, a USA Triathlon Level I Coach, and a USA Cycling Level 3 Coach. She coaches the University of Central Florida triathlon club, the TriKnights, and teaches Total Immersion privately. A long-time runner and cyclist, she has completed hundreds of road races and 14 marathons. In recent years after learning to swim Total
Immersion style, she has competed successfully as an age group triathlete in distances from sprints through the half-Ironman and has qualified for both Age Group Nationals and for the World Long Course Championships. She believes that there is an athlete in each of us and enjoys working with beginning and fitness swimmers and triathletes as much as with those who want to be serious competitors.

Kim Dinell

Sarasota, FL
Email: kimcory2@yahoo.com

"Learning to swim well is a life-changing experience that everyone deserves to have," says Kim Dinell. "It will teach you confidence and focus that will spill over into every aspect of your life."

Kim enjoys working with all ages and swim levels, and feels that Total
Immersion's skill-based approach gives learners every advantage. "This is the ultimate example of working smarter instead of harder," she says. "One of the things I love most about teaching is the facial expression people get when they realize how easy this can be. It's a real 'a-ha!' moment for most of us."

Dinell is a personal trainer with three certifications which complement her TI Senior Coach standing.

She's dedicated to spreading the word about swimming, a perfect sport for ordinary folks who want to look and feel better. Total Immersion's emphasis on swimming mindfully unlocks to door to greater body awareness and overall health. Dinell's own athletic pursuits include triathlon, distance cycling, yoga and, of course, recreational swimming.

Gary Fahey

713 SW 13th Avenue #3
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 629-7724
Email: Gary@StrokeDocSwim.com

Coach Gary Fahey teaches swimming full time as an age group coach with the Plantation Piranhas and through his own company, Stroke Doctor Swimming. In 20 years coaching competitive swimmers he has qualified athletes up to the US Olympic Trials level. Gary currently leads Total Immersion freestyle and four-stroke workshops and has been a TI coach since 1998. South Florida’s “Stroke Doctor,” Gary helps multi-sport athletes, novice swimmers (children & adults), competitive swimmers and military personnel build and perfect their skills.

Bill Hammons

Atlanta, GA
Cell: 404-791-4221
email: whammm@gmail.com

While enjoying swimmers of all ages, my primary focus has been on beginning swimmers, injured athletes and triathletes. Total Immersion has restored my
health and helped me overcome chronic injuries while giving me a great deal
of enjoyment.

I started athletics as a cyclist back in the days of John Howard, 1981 Ironman winner. After that, I took up running and ran several 2:30 marathons under Arthur Lydiard’s direction. Triathlons are my sport of choice today.

Within weeks of beginning Total Immersion drills and light swimming, I was in the fast lane to recovery. Realizing from past experience that it pays to be coached, I went to New Paltz, NY for Terry Laughlin’s Total Immersion Teaching Professional training to learn directly from Terry.

Total Immersion is the healthy alternative to the go harder syndrome. Recovery is greatly enhanced by swimming easily and correctly. Swimming becomes physically and mentally refreshing. By focusing on technique while swimming, one is able to swim farther and/or faster by swimming better.

Videotaping is done during lessons with a video camera that instantly
goes from above the surface to below the surface. This allows you to
see your drilling and swimming while remaining in the pool so we can
make adjustments while we are in the water.

Background: Bachelor degrees in Education and Spanish. Former Middle and High School coach. Successful athlete. Successful coach.

Devonna Eubanks has been participating in triathlons since 2000 when she joined Team Dream (women of color triathlon group). Team Dream’s swim sessions were based on Total Immersion Swim Drills, which focus on balance, body alignment, and fluid movement in the water. Devonna began embracing this style of learning to swim as it’s foundation of drills and concepts were very similar to her background in modern dance. Devonna’s enthusiasm for this style of swimming led to her in January of 2004 attending Total Immersion Coach Workshop where she became a certified Total Immersion Swim Coach. She currently is an assistant swim coach for Total Immersion Freestyle Workshops which are held all over the United States, as well as an assistant swim coach for Team Dream. In addition, Devonna provides private and semi-private swim lessons for all levels.

Devonna, recently in her pursuit of additional knowledge to help her triathlete clientele, traveled to Colorado Springs, CO to attend USA Triathlon Coaching Certification Level 1 Program and a Heart Zone Cycling Workshop in Aurora, Illinois. Devonna’s mission is to provide a strong foundation of skills that will assist people on whatever path they choose, be it recreational swimming, competitive swimming, sprint triathlons, Olympic triathlon or Ironman caliber races.

Devonna’s other Certifications are listed below:
American Red Cross Adult/Child CPR
American Red Cross Adult/Child AED
American Red Cross Sport Safety Training

John Fitzpatrick

Chicago, IL
(773) 251-5308
fitz@chicagobluedolphins.com
http://www.chicagobluedolphins.com

John Fitzpatrick is the owner and head coach of Chicago Blue Dolphins, an aquatic fitness business based in downtown Chicago. He was selected "Best Swim Instructor" in "Chicago Magazine’s - Best of Chicago 2006" issue. He has been is a Total Immersion Teaching Professional (TITP) since 2002 and a Director at Total Immersion Weekend Fishlike Freestyle Workshops. He is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) and an ASCA Certified Level 2 Masters Coach. He has been a competitive swimmer for over thirty years and competes as a Masters swimmer in backstroke, butterfly, and individual medley events.

John and his staff of coaches teach Total Immersion in a dual-propulsion Endless Pool at their Swim Studio in the Bucktown area of Chicago. They work with all types of swimmers from age-group, high school, and collegiate competitive swimmers, to triathletes, to Masters swimmers, and to those with no experience in the water at all. They teach and refine all of the strokes privately, semi-privately, and in small group settings. They use underwater and above water video to improve technique, efficiency, and speed. Chicago Blue Dolphins runs 12 large group swim practices for adults in multiple Chicago locations to help bridge the lessons in the Swim Studio to practice and training in pools and open-water.

Theresa Tolbert

Chicago, IL
please write to Keith@totalimmersion.net for referral information.

Indiana

Leah Nyikes
See her listing under Ohio

Iowa

Dave Cameron
See his listing under Minneapolis

Kansas

Hap Gentry
See his listing under Missouri

Bob Wiskera

Dallas, Texas
Please write to Keith@totalimmersion.net for referral information.

Kentucky

John Beaty

See his complete listing under Tennessee
email: wook75@aol.com

Louisiana

Bob Wiskera

Dallas, Texas
Please write to Keith@totalimmersion.net for referral information.

Maine

Celeste St. Pierre
See her listing under New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Cathy Adams

Longmeadow, MA
Home: (413) 567 8518
Email: cathyadams@verizon.net

A former lawyer, present graphic designer and lifelong fitness swimmer, Cathy has taught Red Cross and YMCA programs for several years. She teaches small groups and the Masters Swim Program at the Jewish Community Center in Springfield, MA. She also teaches small groups and private lessons for the Town of Longmeadow Park & Recreation. She is an Assistant Coach for TI Weekend Workshops.

Katherine Schwab

Big Dreams Fitness
Foxborough, MA
(508) 740-0472
Email: katherine@bigdreamsfitness.com
Website: www.bigdreamsfitness.com

Katherine M. Schwab is the owner of Big Dreams Fitness, a coaching business specializing in swim, bike, run, and triathlon services for the first timer, novice athlete, and intermediate athlete. Katherine’s goals as a coach include: teaching clients the proper skills for their chosen sport, motivating clients to follow a safe and effective training program, encouraging clients to both enjoy their sport and perform to the best of their abilities, and instilling in clients a belief that they can achieve their fitness dreams.

Katherine began coaching in 1995, working with age group swimmers on both recreational and USS levels. In 1999, she began coaching triathletes through the Team in Training program for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is currently the Head Triathlon Coach for the MA Chapter of Team in Training. Katherine's first exposure to TI was in 1996 when she was preparing for her first triathlon. She became "hooked" on the philosophy of TI, and became a TI Coach in 2002.

Katherine holds various certifications in addition to being a Total Immersion Teaching Professional: USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach, NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, EMT, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, and (American Red Cross) Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard. Her racing experience runs the gamut from 5k road races to mountain bike racing and open water swim competitions. She has also completed several Half Ironman and Ironman distance triathlons.

Michigan

Leah Nyikes
See her listing under Ohio

Minnesota

Minneapolis YWCA- Total Immersion Center of Excellence
For full details, click here.

Coaches:

Dave Cameron

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
(952) 807-3774
Email: davidccameron@hotmail.com

Dave Cameron brings Total Immersion to Minnesota through the Minneapolis YWCA and Minnesota Tri Masters. A full-time swim professional
with two masters teams and a USA Swimming club that competes at the YWCA
National Championships, Dave brings TI drills to everyday masters practices,
and it's not unusual to see half the pool doing TI drills even when he's not
around!

As a competitor, Dave was a 15-time All-Conference distance swimmer for
Carleton College. While he only competes occasionally for Masters swimming,
Dave instead focuses on his open-water training and competition. In 2004,
two months after attending the TI coaching workshop, Dave successfully swam
the English Channel.

Dave teaches private lessons with above and underwater video analysis at the
Uptown Minneapolis YWCA. He travels to other workshops to learn from other
instructors on a regular basis, and is focused on developing TI freestyle
where speed is added back in without sacrificing efficiency.

Michi Ushio
Assistant Head Coach, Total Immersion Teaching Professional

Michi has been involved with the Minneapolis YWCA Aquatics program since childhood as a competitive swimmer, lifeguard and coach. As a multi-sport athlete, Michi has been a swimmer, figure skater and runner through out high school and college, and uses her knowledge of the learning process to help her clients overcome old habits and instincts in their swimming.

Michi currently works with both the Youth and Masters swimming teams and as a Total Immersion Instructor.

Recently, Michi took over as Assistant Head Coach for the YWCA, where she is helping with workshops, taking on clients throughout the week, and leading training sessions for the majority of the youth team while Dave is leading the senior group.

Jordan Jelmeland
Assistant Coach, Total Immersion Teaching Professional

Jordan has been involved with the YWCA’s Otters Swim team for over four years both as a competitive swimmer and as a coach. With a strong background as a youth swim lesson instructor and certified Total Immersion Instructor, Jordan has shown dedication as a coach and instructor. Her work with the Junior Otters in stroke development has fed the Senior Otters program with new talent.
Although Jordan is no longer an "Otter", she has continued to pursue competitive swimming in the MN Masters Swimming. Jordan was also a member of the YWCA Swim for Change Campaign Masters relay team, who successfully crossed the English Channel in July, 2007.

Missouri

Hap Gentry

St. Louis, MO
(314) 303-7284
Email: rhgentry@earthlink.net
Website: www.rhgentry.com

Hap Gentry has been coaching Total Immersion Weekend Workshops since 1996 with 30+ years of competitive swim coaching experience for beginners through national caliber competitors. The American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) recently (February, 2007) awarded Hap certification as a Level 5 Masters Coach, 1 of 40 in the country alongside Terry Laughlin. Currently, he serves on the Executive Committee of, and coaches various masters swim programs with, the St. Louis Area Masters (SLAM), a USMS club of 300+ members within the Ozark LMSC. As an ASCA certified Level 3 High School Coach, Hap also coaches the Ladue Horton Watkins High School boys and girls swimming (& diving) teams. As a triathlete, he has qualified and finished in the top half of the USTA Olympic Distance National Triathlon Championships and is currently working toward his USTA Level 1 certification (July, 2007). His youthful swimming accomplishments include former Connecticut State Age Group and Senior multi-event Record Holder, Connecticut State Championship multi-event Finalist, New England Regional Championship multi-event Finalist and International Competitor. As a TI Teaching Professional (TITP), Hap has directed more than 35 Total Immersion Weekend Workshops since 2003. Hap regularly captures video (above and below the water) to “show swimmers how they feel.” He uses that video to evaluate current stroke mechanics, to educate on the correct motor movements, and to recommend specific corrections (“focus points”) for improved efficiency and speed. Hap provides private lessons to ages 6 and up and to all levels of initial skill – see what he can do for you!

Montana

Helenita Jacobs
See her listing under Washington state

Nebraska

Hap Gentry