I am looking for a good swim coach in NYC. Hoping that 10 or so private lessons will help me improve my form, and take some much needed seconds off my MOP swim times.
I don’t live anywhere near NYC, but if I did I would try to connect with Doug Stern, who has posted a lot of valuable information here on the forum recently. In fact, I HAVE contacted him with regards to some possible sessions when I’m down in July for the NYC Triathlon. You might want to start by going to his website at www.dougstern.com, or by doing a search below on all of his posts.
that’s an easy one. doug stern. i saw him for one lesson (i live about 6hr away but was in the neighborhood visiting family) and he fixed one of my major errors which was my hand crossing the centerline of the body. call him.
there is also Neil Cook up at Asphalt Green
In addition to Doug Stern, I’d also recommend John Stewart. John has been coaching JackRabbit’s swim programs for over a year to RAVE reviews. He is also an assistant coach for Asphalt Green and for Team in Training in NYC.
I don’t think John will be offended when I say he’s not a natural athlete. He’s had to teach himself the skills of good swimming form, and by doing so has become a very good teacher or good long distance endurance swimming.
PM me for his contact info.
Lee Silverman
JackRabbit Sports
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Lee -
I understand concept of supporting resources that contribute to your business but not even mentioning coaches that worked with you at your start in this sport…
Jobo -
New York City is ripe with swimming coaches and instructors (good and hacks). And yes, there are many talented ones outside the usual combo of Doug Stern and Terry Laughlin, people like Jim Bolster, Earl Walton, Scott Willett, Boris Talan, etc., etc. Being candid here, I intend a little disrespect when I see someone suggesting newly minted “coach” and not mentioning the real deals. In addition to “stand-alone” coaches there are many “site-specific” swimming instructors - any good pool, Y, or gym will have affiliated resources.
I understand concept of supporting resources that contribute to your business but not even mentioning coaches that worked with you at your start in this sport…Being candid here, I intend a little disrespect when I see someone suggesting newly minted “coach” and not mentioning the real deals.
John is the only coach I’ve worked with on a one-on-one basis, so he’s the only one I mentioned in my post.
Of the people DB mentioned in his post, I’ve worked with Scott Willet enough on a group basis to be comfortable recommending him. Scott is one hell of a fast swimmer (and runner and cyclist, for that matter!) but unlike many naturally gifted athletes, Scott is also a good coach and is good at working with novices and mid-packers as well as fast swimmers. I’ve also worked with Aaroni Reyes of Red Tide and found him to be a phenominal group coach and perfect for a masters swim group, but those workouts were about yardage and speed so I don’t have any experience with his “technique” coaching. There are about a dozen other coaches out there whom I speak with regularly, but I hope they won’t be offended that I don’t list everybody I know but haven’t worked with directly.
I will say that John Stewart is the real deal. I’ve worked with him on a one-on-one basis personally and saw tremendous improvement in my form and times. Almost all of my customers tell me they’ve seen similiar improvements working with John on a one-on-one basis and in group settings. If John was not an experienced swim coach that truly offered my customers valuable coaching advice and measurable improvement, he wouldn’t be working for me.
One last point for whomever is still paying attention to this thread: At one point I took a Total Immersion seminar, and it did make me more conscious about my technique. However, having worked one on one with a few swim coaches, I can strongly suggest that you avoid the TI weekend warrior courses. Instead, spend your money on some one-on-one time with any of the coaches that have been mentioned in this thread. You’ll get a lot more value for your money, and you’ll end up a better swimmer.
Lee Silverman
JackRabbit Sports
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Thanks to all for the references. Does anyone have anything to say about Igor? Russian Swim coach that at times has been associated with Asphault Green & the JCC?
He is good instructor and great swimmer. PM me directly for his e-mail.