conditioning or technique?

[Danny]

I just met a young man at my high school pool who graduated in 2011, which makes him about 22 yrs old. In high school he was a star on the swimming team and, among other things, he swam the 100 yd freestyle in 50 s. Now he tells me that he is so out of condition that he gets tired after swimming several laps. He's got very good looking technique, although I didn't time him, but he was swimming at a pace of 14 spl in the 25 yd pool. He said in high school he used to swim at 12 or 13 SPL. So I asked him whether it is really his conditioning that is the problem or is it his technique? He thinks it is his conditioning, but he doesn't really know. So my question is: What is missing here? His stroke looks better than mine, and, although he swims faster, he didn't look like he was swimming super fast, so why does he get tired? Next time I see him, I should try to measure his speed, but I would be interested in any insights anyone else might have.

[borate]

Suggest that he visit a cardiologist.

[Zenturtle]

These guys often swim much faster than it appears.
And with a few weeks training they usually blow past everybody again.