TI weekend course

I am thinking of doing a TI weekend course, but was wondering if anyone has done one? Is it worth the cost? It isn't too far to travel but I am thinking it could be what I need.

What is it?

total immersion - swimming

heard about it but not done one before. if it makes you swim like this it might be worth it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJpFVvho0o4 makes it looks soooo easy.

I did one but it didn't help me. I know Wild Will took one and he swears by it, so I guess it's just whether or not it suits you and also how good the instructor is.

I did the weekend course and it helped me develop an easier more controlled style with more focus on balance in and feel of the water. I can now swim long distance without being 'out of puff' where 500m used to leave me gasping

I dont do all the drills etc ... for me it was more a principles / concept learning journey 

and as IW says it is not for everyone

Here is my report from way back then

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/triathlon/total-immersion-report/24309.html

thanks Wildwill

Not been on a TI course, but I've read up on it, and got myself a book, and have spent the last couple of weeks putting it into practice. IT IS WONDERFUL!!!! I've gone from dying after 2 lengths of front crawl to today's hour non-stop (56 lengths!) entirely FC.  I'm still going to go to a stroke-improving session, but I reackon you can make a pretty good start yourself. So, I love TI, but not absolutely certain whether a weekend course is necessary.

I did a series of about 8 TI lessons of 1 hour each, and went from pretty much non-swimmer to swimming 2 miles in about 10 weeks. Never did much for my speed and I could probably do with going back for another course of lessons. I reckon the weekend one would be great.

I'd second what WW said about control and balance.

ok, I reckon it would be good. It certainly won't make my swimming worse, or slower. Last Sunday I did a pool tri and I remember watching the people in the pool thinking 'do I move that slowly?'. Well, someone in my tri club did a few little videos on her phone through the day of the people there, and yep, I move that slowly!

Yes, K9, that's pretty much what happened to me.

argh, don't want to get slower!

I spoke to the coach at my tri club about it, and she suggested doing a swim smooth weekend course - it is only one day so works out at half the cost, and is closer, so I think I'll try that one first. Got to wait till January though!

Hi mathschick.  I did a weekend course and it helped a bit but to be honest not as much as I'd hoped.  I think it depends on how good your swimming already is, in other words if you just want to improve a bit but already have a half decent stroke you get more out of it.  The first day was great, but on the second day I couldn't get the drills right. This is apparently a common complaint. I've since had some 1:1 lessons in and endless pool on TI which cost a fortune but its been much better.  You are very limited what you can learn in a weekend and it needs a longer period to really grasp TI techniques. 

don't know where you live but I went to swim solutions near Windsor and plan to go back soon for a top-up,.

Good luck

thanks SD - windosr is a bit far - I live in Notts. I have booked onto a swim smooth day, it isn't till January though, so a bit of a wait, might get the dvds before then. I'll see how that is, I know they have a weekly swim sqad, but it is about an hour's drive - a bit much for a regular weekday evening, but ok for a one-off.