I suck at swimming. We’re talking 4 lengths of a 25m pool and I need to take a break. I can manage 20 - 25 lengths a session but to be honest anything after 10 feels like I’m just making things worse. I’m in OK cardio shape, I can knock out a very comfortable 10K in 49 minutes or so on a treadmill – nothing to be proud of but not embarrassing. I don’t feel like I’m going to get much better on my own and would like to get some professional instruction at this point. So if anyone knows of any good group lessons in Toronto, please let me know. I also wouldn’t be adverse to individual lessons but I really doubt that’s in my budget – I imagine 30$ - 40$ an hour would be unrealistic?
I enrolled in group lessons this past fall with Oannes Swims. The course comprises of 6 two hour lessons and there are 4-6 people in the class.
Coach Kelvin helps you build a proper freestyle stroke from the beginning. I highly recommend his course for anybody that is weak in the pool.
I suck at swimming. We’re talking 4 lengths of a 25m pool and I need to take a break. I can manage 20 - 25 lengths a session but to be honest anything after 10 feels like I’m just making things worse. I’m in OK cardio shape, I can knock out a very comfortable 10K in 49 minutes or so on a treadmill – nothing to be proud of but not embarrassing. I don’t feel like I’m going to get much better on my own and would like to get some professional instruction at this point. So if anyone knows of any good group lessons in Toronto, please let me know. I also wouldn’t be adverse to individual lessons but I really doubt that’s in my budget – I imagine 30$ - 40$ an hour would be unrealistic?
To be honest, a group session is rarely worthwhile given the amount of attention you’ll get. The group sessions around Toronto are $70 for a group of up to 15 people for 4 hours with Toronto Triathlon Club, $125 for 3.5 hours and up to 24 athletes with NRG, or 6x2 hour sessions with up to 9 athletes with Oannes swims for $450.
Instead you’re just far better off shelling out for an individual session or two. $85 will get you a 1 hour session in the endless pool at Absolute Endurance with NYAC head coach Murray Drudge, and you’ll learn and improve far more than you will in any group session.
If you really want a group session, he also does/did group pool sessions which as I recall were $180 for 3 or 4 2 hour sessions with up to 6 people.
I’d also avoid Oannes, as it’s a Total Immersion based program… you’ll spend a lot of time kicking and doing drills, rather than getting faster.
i have no idea what they’re like for pricing, but this is the place i took swimming lessons from age 2 to 14:
http://www.swimlpa.com/classes.htm
“In AquaAdults 2, you’ll work on two of the six swimming strokes, according to your choice. The goal is to develop proficiency and increased endurance. In AquaAdults 3, the focus is on stroke improvement to increase efficiency and fitness.”
they’re in mississauga, just off dundas near cawthra. i haven’t been in there for 16 years now, though, so have no idea if they’re a lick of good anymore. they used to have good instructors.
edit: ok, forget that! they list their pool at “a comfortable 90 degrees”…i just about died swimming in 88f at the rec centre a couple of weeks ago, so to hell with them and their swimmer soup! sure don’t remember it being that warm when i was a kid…
cheers!
-mistress k
I’ve not used them personally, but I’ve heard great things about Buckler from those who swim competitively, not necessarily for triathletes. In fact, I’ve seen some of their students swim fantastically well at national level. I do know that they have a flexible program for adults and have 3 locations across Toronto. I made a bet that I’d learn how to swim properly 100m in each of the 4 strokes by June. I’m a bit concerned about learning the fly, hence my looking into lessons. Actually, ‘concerned’ is probably an understatement - both my mind and body appear allergic to that stroke.
I’m not sure yet how much Buckler charges. Let me know which one you select.