Where do I find an experienced swimming teacher

[lavendersun]

To help me improve my technique. I used to love swimming but after breaking my neck some years ago it hurts when I swim.

I want to swim again when I can after a recent op. My daughter's teacher would be perfect but she can only fit me in once a month, just too busy.

DH used to coach swimming but last time he tried to help me, 10 years ago, we almost killed each other.

I will need a coach and a physio so someone who could recommend a physio would be fab. The local pools dont tend to have very experienced teachers on board.

I wondered about contacting a swim club, maybe that would be a good place but am not sure.

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd look for your local triathlon club, and see who advertises/is linked with them. I've used two swim coaches, and both work with tri clubs. The first one had an endless pool in his garage, and was amazing as he was so close up while watching that he could make very precise changes to what I was doing.

I went from being able to splash 5m in front crawl after I lost the use of my arm to sprint tri in 6 months, so good, specific, coaching makes a huge difference

[lavendersun]

Thanks CMOT - have looked up the local tri clubs and there are two to choose from, one 20 miles east, one 20 miles west! Mind you the pool is 15 miles from home.

What frequency of lessons did you have and how often did you swim in between?

I might try swimming 4 weeks in, 25th Jan (not that I am counting) and see how it feels before ringing them.

DH is doing the GN swim this year so perhaps he could join in their open water nights.

You are incredible by the way, thats all .

[CMOTDibbler]

I did weekly lessons for an hour, and swam twice a week in between, then went down to fortnightly for a bit. I should really book some more lessons.

No, not incredible, just mad!

[lavendersun]

Thanks again, 'tenaciously mad' sounds much better than just 'mad' imo.

[CMOTDibbler]

I shall channel tenaciously mad. Heavens only knows I need it this year - my entry spreadsheet currently has a half marathon, marathon, para open water swim, para sprint tri, and an olympic distance tri. And thats only the things I have actually entered. Not to mention the little issue of ds getting a bit fast on the road which is starting to push me on hills. Maybe I need to borrow your tandem so he can haul me around

[lavendersun]

Wow, you are going to be very busy! Do you have to train most days?

I have made the call and am going for a lesson on 2nd Feb, no problem with postponing it if swimming during the previous week causes me problems, but Tuesday evenings it is. DD will have to come with me and read a book, she will hate it, she has two stroke lessons a week and a rookie lifeguard session so me swimming and her not swimming will not cut it for her at all.

They are having so much fun on the tandem (without me of course right now), a few 30 mile rides with a lovely lunch somewhere along the route during the Christmas hols.

Lovely isn't it CMOT doing all this with our children, we absolutely love it.

[CMOTDibbler]

My aim is training everyday (or twice a day) that I'm not travelling for work, so that on the days when I really can't fit anything in are compensated for (I do get up at stupid o clock when staying away to work out, but if I leave at 4 to get a flight, and get back at 10, it doesn't happen). Today I ran at lunchtime with the dogs, then will go swimming with ds at 5.

It is fab doing sport with children, and I love cycling with ds :-)

[CMOTDibbler]

And well done on booking the lessons!

[Penfold007]

If your DD's swimming teacher had time would giving you one lesson followed by three weeks homework work for you?

Maybe she could recommend a swimming teacher/coach who does adult one to one or group lessons. I know a good teacher in the Surrey area.

[lavendersun]

That is impressive CMOT!

I don't think it would be enough for me Penfold, I reckon I will need weekly for a fair while (old habits die hard and breaking my neck is still a problem!).

I think she is in her own little work world tbh, she seems to do a huge amount - trains the emergency services in our County and teaches children 5 days a week. She is absolutely first rate though, in the pool with them for the first two/three years and there are only 4 or 5 in the class.

I presume that she starts after school and works until 8pm so she doesn't feel the need to do any more - and I don't blame her!

Hopefully I will get on OK with this new teacher, if I could make half of CMOT's progress by June I will be delighted.