If you are a triathlete with minimal competitive swimming background, the swim portion of a triathlon is probably the most physically and mentally demanding, especially if the swim takes place in an open body of water. Waves, undercurrents, and the limbs of fellow competitors can make even a modest distance challenging. Efficient swimming technique can reduce your perceived exertion in the water, leaving you with plenty of energy to tackle the bike and run portions. Swim lessons with an instructor familiar with triathlon-specific swimming is helpful for improving stroke technique and increasing comfort level in an open body of water.
Swim Instructor
Looking for the right swim instructor depends on your previous swim experience along with what you ultimately hope to achieve. For example, if you are an experienced pool swimmer but open water swimming terrifies you, you will want to look for a swim coach who is experienced with open water swimming techniques and can help reduce your anxiety. If you are a beginning swimmer, an instructor who gets in the pool with you can be helpful for guiding you through the proper technique. If you are an experienced swimmer, joining a masters swim team with a coach familiar with open water swimming will help you focus on fine-tuning your stroke technique and provide more structured workouts.
Private vs. Group Lessons
Whether you choose solo or group lessons and/or workouts depends on your budget, experience, and personal preference. Solo lessons are valuable for inexperienced swimmers since they provide exclusive instruction. However, they can be costly---between $50 and $100 per hour for a good instructor. Group lessons do not have the same undivided attention, but tend to be less expensive and provide a social outlet. If you are an experienced swimmer who needs occasional technique "reminders," group lessons or workouts are probably sufficient. If you have trouble swimming 50 yards nonstop, private lessons will benefit you the most.
Lesson Frequency
Consistency is arguably most crucial for the swim component of the triathlon since technique is a major factor to swimming success. However, trying to focus on too many aspects of technique at once is overwhelming and time-consuming. Therefore, one or two lessons per week is sufficient for most beginner swimmers, and more experienced swimmers can probably get by with one lesson per week or even one lesson every two weeks. However, you should practice the drills your instructor gives you at least two or three more times throughout the week, before your main swim workouts.
Location
The most common and convenient location for swim lessons is in a pool. The pool's smooth water is ideal when refining stroke technique. However, since most triathlon swims take place in the open water of a lake or ocean, it is useful to have an instructor who is familiar with open water swimming and can teach you strategies for swimming in a crowd, swimming in a straight line, and swimming out past the waves at the start. Alternatively, if you do not have access to swimming in a lake or ocean, you can practice these techniques with a group of fellow triathletes in a section of a swimming pool without lane lines.
Considerations
You should always swim within your abilities and always swim with an instructor or lifeguard present. Rip currents, boaters, and sea critters all exist in open bodies of water and you should only swim in designated areas, with a buddy and while a lifeguard is on duty.
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