So, here in Nashville we have the Music City Triathlon this Sunday. This year they have added a sprint race to the event which basically is one loop of everything instead of two (except for the swim which is only 400 meters). I am racing the olympic, that is not the issue. Today during lunch my girlfriend told me that one of her co-workers (who I know and has always very eagerly talked with me about triathlons) has decided today that he is going to sign up for the sprint race. He has never competed in any event before and he just decided that he can do this. I asked her whether he has swam before and she told me that he "knows" how to swim and he was wondering if I could go to the pool with him to give him a few pointers. He also said it can't be that hard, that's only like 16 laps in the pool. Well, my issue is that I am a little nervous to go give him a "lesson" this close to the race. This is a river swim so there will be currents and it is a pretty crowded race with a bunch of beginners.

So here is my question, would you continue to try and convince him to not race this event and that you will work with him to get him ready for another event (not that I am a swim coach or anything but you know how people view us triathletes - I think he should work towards a pool swim race first) or would you go give him the "lesson" and hope for the best? I don't want to be connected to a tragedy....I have never seen him swim, bike or run before, but my real fear, as it should be, is with his swim.