total immersion is better than you can imagine as far as learning to swim better and more efficiently. go to www.totalimmersion.com to see if they have a clinic near you. i know they have clinics in chicago from time to time. not to far from you. its a weekend clinic and definitely worth attending. you learn a whole new way to swim. i wasted time and money with lessons and coaches and wish i would've go to total immersion sooner. good luck.