Why am I such a slow swimmer? (Page 2)

I also recommend beginners have a look at this article: 18 Biggest Myths - Pool or Ocean which is on the Southern California Aquatic Masters website.

Excerpt:

Swimming Myths 4:54 PM Fri, Nov 17, 2006 - 18 BIGGEST MYTHS - POOL OR OCEAN by Clay

1. I need more technique

2. I need more stroke drills

3. If I practice the wrong technique I will establish bad habits

4. Breathe every third stroke

5. I will draft off someone in the race

6. Swimming a straight mile lap swimming style is a good use of my workout time

7. Keep your head down and in balance

8. Fins are bad because I will get dependent on them

9. The sharks will get me

10. The under tow will get you

11. Swimming in a pool or lake is the same as swimming in the ocean

12. Swim with a buddy

13. Practice for a distance race doing non-stop swimming

14. Kicking really hard makes you go faster

15. To speed up I will rush my stroke

16. Only swim in the pool for ocean racing

17. Only swim in the ocean for ocean racing 
 

I will start with 1, 2 and 3: I go until I am blue in my face telling new swimmers get in the water and swim and you will quickly learn.  When you get laps under your belt you start to feel the water, adapt motor skills, get stronger, more endurance and more confidence.  Soon you will be coachable.  Yes, you might learn some bad habits but what you gain from getting in is the most important. Do not hesitate I promise you will not be scared for life. SWIM!  You will learn so much just being in the water.  Drills are great but should be only 20% of your workout and most of those at the beginning.  It is essential that you start off each swim's very first stroke thinking about your technique.

For the record, Clay is Clay Evans a local masters coach here in L.A..  met him, he's a good guy and seems to have the bona fides to back up what he says, although we may not agree with all of them.  Here's his wikipedia entry:

Clayton ("Clay" Evans (born October 28, 1953 in El Bagic) is a former medley swimmer from Canada, who was born in South America to Canadian parents. He moved to Huntington Beach, California at age fifteen and was recruited by UCLA on a swimming and water polo scholarship. Before entering UCLA, Evans represented Canada in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.

Evans was a four year All-American and NCAA finalist in the 100m Butterfly and an Olympic silver medallist at the 1976 Summer Olympics in the 4x100m Medley Relay. He has broken over 40 Masters National and World records. After graduating from UCLA, Evans began his coaching career with Team Santa Monica while he was in graduate school in Architecture. After practicing Architecture in Europe and Saudi Arabia, he returned to West L.A. and concentrated on developing SCAQ - (http://www.swim.net/SCAQ/) into the largest Masters swimming program in the U.S.

In 1993, Evans was selected as the United States Masters Coach of the Year. In 1999, the resident of Los Angeles, California was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Masters Aquatic Coaches Association.

Just checked the 18 Myths link - it works fine for me.

See, even swimmers can't agree, so just screw it and Ride Lots!

(j/K as I'm looking for swim help myself)

Thanks for your professional input, Doc.

I've been swimming since I was 7, have done these drills as a matter of doing what the coach says for years and years, have never heard any stories about these drills being dangerous (not one single one), and I've certainly never heard about anyone dying!

I will continue to use these drills but will refrain from recommending them to others on the  BT board.

This reminds me of another EMS mantra (that really has nothing to do with this topic, but I've always liked it):  ALL BLEEDING STOPS--EVENTUALLY.