Chad,
I certainly appreciate your positive comments about the Vasa Ergometer, which you have generously submitted on ST.
However, I cannot completely agree with your recent statement:
"If you are a bad swimmer because you have bad swim form then the Vasa will only make you a more fit bad swimmer."
It is true that if one uses a poor form swim stroke on the Vasa Ergometer, it will likely improve the fitness, yet it is unlikely it will magically improve one's stroke technique. Perfect practice makes perfect.
In fact, many swimmers with poor stroke technique actually leverage the unique characteristics of the Vasa Ergometer frame, resistance, and power meter to make significant improvements to their swimming form and efficiency. It works even better with occasional feedback from a qualified coach and also if the athlete arranges a mirror or video camera to see themselves. The latter is especially valuable when fatigue begins to set in.
Allow me to post a recent email note from a Vasa Erg user. It is merely one of numerous comments we receive from swimmers, coaches and triathletes of all abilities who use the Vasa Ergometer to improve their technique, as well as their swim-specific fitness:
story: "I am a 46 year old masters swimmer and am faster now than I was in my
thirties, and much credit goes to my Vasa Ergometer. When I first started
training on the erg, I would "pretend" I was swimming in the water. Now that
I understand the biomechanical advantage of stroke training with the Vasa,
it's just the opposite. When I'm swimming, I "pretend" I'm on the Vasa
ergometer! The result has been more distance per stroke and less fatigue for
equal yardage!"
Available on the Vasa website are several video clips that were produced to assist in making improvements to stroke mechanics. They use the Vasa Ergometer as the teaching framework, however the technique advice may be used effectively in the pool or open water, regardless of using a Vasa Erg or not. I hope that will prove useful.
http://www.vasatrainer.com/...age=movie_BT_KPN_EVF