Can a poor swimmer attend a TI workshop?

To attend a TI workshop, you should be able to swim at least 50 meters (two lengths in a 25m pool). Any swimmer who can meet this requirement is welcomed at the workshop, no matter how slow or difficult the 50 meter swim may be. Our record of turning strugglers (even those who have been frustrated for years) into swimmers is unmatched; we can help you progress enormously in two days – far more than years of tedious laps would accomplish. You will leave your workshop with a specific plan for improvement and the tools to make it happen.

If you are a complete non-swimmer, and are unable and/or fearful to swim in deep water, we suggest you start by practicing the water exploration skills in our DVD, Happy Laps. Additionally, “Learn to Swim” workshops for adults are offered at our New Paltz, NY Swim Studio, and there are many excellent TI coaches located across the country who can offer you personalized attention to get you started.

Can my child attend a TI workshop?

Our workshops are designed for adults, but many age group swimmers (some as young as ten) have completed a workshop successfully with dramatic results. Kids should understand that the workshop is more information-intensive than other swim instruction they might be accustomed to; but, if your child is willing to learn attentively and practice mindfully, they’ll be taught invaluable lessons about how to swim with a stroke that’s fast, efficient, injury-free and fun!

Do I need to get into shape first?

TI workshops are “come as you are” swim instruction; it may actually be better not to do extra swimming prior to the workshop as often those who have the least swimming experience find that they pick up TI skills the quickest because their “bad-habit” muscle memory is less ingrained.

What do I need to bring?

For the classroom sessions: Pen and paper for note taking.

For the pool sessions: Goggles, a swimsuit and a towel (or two if you want a dry one for the afternoon swim). We recommend that male students wear a Speedo-type brief or close-fitting triathlon swim shorts (“jammers”), rather than baggy swim trunks which can make balance drills more of a challenge. Nose-plugs and ear-plus are recommended for anyone who feels more comfortable with them; they can be very helpful in avoiding distraction in Sweet Spot. You may also want to bring a thermal rash-guard type shirt or vest for extra warmth in the pool.

Students with difficulty kicking may find fins helpful in achieving ease, but since we began using the “TI Buddy System” in balance drills, the percentage of those choosing to wear fins has dropped from 30% to under 10% of a typical class. And most students move along pretty nicely once we advance from balance drills (in which all propulsion comes from the kick), to “Switch” drills (in which core-body rotation provides most of your propulsion).

What’s a “Rash Guard”?

A rash guard is a thermal shirt that is worn for various water sports. The name comes from its original purpose of protecting surfers from scraping their skin against the sand and wax on their boards as they slide on and off. It’s useful for swimmers as a way to keep warm when in water for extended periods of time. You can learn more or purchase your own at www.swimoutlet.com.

Where will my workshop be held? Who will my Coach be? What time does it start?

To find out specific information about your workshop, please consult the details listed on our workshop schedule page.

How many other students will be at the workshop?

The size of Total Immersion workshops varies depending on the facility, the number of available coaches and (of course) how many people decide to sign up. Regardless of the total amount of participants, TI workshops will always have a student to coach ratio of 5:1 or less.

How much does the workshop cost? What’s included?

Workshop tuition is $495. TI workshop participants are encouraged to register with friends or family and receive a 10% discount for each student. Alumni interested in taking a workshop to refresh are also given a 10% discount.  In addition, alumni are eligible for a “Sunday Refresher” priced at $225.

Workshops include two days of the world’s best swimming instruction, a silicon TI cap, a swimmers manual  sent to you ahead of time as a PDF, and an online video which summarizes the material covered in the workshop.

Workshops do not include lodging or food.

Do weekend workshops cover all four legal strokes?

No, TI weekend workshops will only instruct on how to swim freestyle. TI occasionally does host four-stroke camps, but these are special events that typically run four or more days. When there is a four-stroke camp scheduled, you will see it listed on our workshop schedule page.

I’m a triathlete; I’m great on the bike and the run, but am unhappy with my performance in the swim. Can a TI workshop help me?

Yes! Many participants at TI workshops are triathletes. TI is especially valuable for triathletes because of our relentless and unique focus on energy economy; triathletes love Total Immersion because it not only gives them the edge in the swim leg, but also conserves enough energy to provide them with unbelievably fresh bike and run performance. This makes the TI weekend workshop the first choice of both seasoned triathletes and those who want to “tri” for the first time.

Swimming really tires me out; will the workshop be exhausting?

No, workshops do not require much physical exertion. Students who report feeling fatigued after the workshop are most often referring to a type of mental fatigue; the workshops give students a wealth of new information that can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming.