Total immersion swimming teachers: Terry Laughlin, founder; Shinji Takeuchi.
Total Immersion Swimming
The book “Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster, and Easier” was written by Terry Laughlin and first published 1996. The Total Immersion (TI) swimming method was developed and popularized primarily by Terry Laughlin himself, who founded the technique and brought it to worldwide recognition through his books, workshops, and instructional materials
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In addition to Terry Laughlin, several other influential figures have contributed to the development and popularization of Total Immersion swimming:
- John Delves: Co-author in later editions of the TI book and an early collaborator in the refinement and communication of the method
- Bill Boomer: Though not a co-author, Boomer is credited by Laughlin as a significant inspiration for the technique, particularly for his ideas about the importance of body position and efficiency in swimming; Boomer’s philosophy—“it is the shape of the vessel, not the size of the engine”—opened Laughlin’s eyes to new coaching methods
- Shinji Takeuchi: A Japanese swimmer and one of the most famous TI coaches globally, known especially for his viral demonstration videos, which have become a model for efficient, relaxed swimming—and brought the TI philosophy to wide new audiences.
- Stuart McDougal: Longtime Total Immersion coach and leader of workshops, McDougal has played a key role in spreading TI methods internationally and through coaching certifications and educational content.
Role of legs in swimming
Different styles
You want your body to be as submerged as possible most of the time…
Effective kick is timed with the catch
