As I said, a wetsuit might help (as might drafting), but not in any significant way. If he’s swimming with his head up and his chest is pounding waves
If he said he swims like that, I missed it. He’s slow, he’s not doing the dog paddle.
I bet that a wetsuit shaves close to ten seconds/100 off his time, conservatively.
Hey, I know I’m slow, but doggie paddle. I’m not that bad . . .