That's a lot of hassle to get a steady shot. I've found just using my tiny biceps to steady the broom stick/pvc pipe/whatever it's stuck to is fine.
There is a learning curve on steadying it but that's about 15yards of walking beside the swimmer.
Ideally if you're the person who's getting video'd you want to be swimming pretty hard and do something like 500-800. If you're the person with the camera you want the swimmer to be 2-300 in before you start shooting.
Most people can hold it together for 2-300, but after that everyone starts to get uglier.
If you're the person shooting the video don't be afraid to stick the camera in the water and not record. Ideally the swimmer shouldn't have an idea of when vs when you are not recording. People try to make themselves pretty for the camera
Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching Insta