I swam competitively as a junior and then again in masters events in my late 30s and early 40s. A specialist breaststroke swimmer, I was a competent competitive freestyle swimmer who had reasonable pace over 100 to 200 metres but I always struggled with distances beyond 400 metres. The notion of swimming 1500 metres and beyond comfortably was pretty much unthinkable to me. I could not figure it out and all anybody ever told me to do was kick more,
It was when was introduced to Total Immersion I started to learn about how swimming actually worked for the first time; how balance and streamlining are vital to becoming an efficient swimmer. Through Total Immersion I was introduced to the work of the pioneering American coach Bill Boomer ("The shape of the vessel is more important than the size of the engine"), with whom Total Immersion founder Terry Laughlin collaborated.
I took my Total Immersion Coach Certification in 2015. Thus began of my own journey of research into swimming and studying the theories of other notable coaches and the physics and biomechanics of swimming.
Over the years I have refined and distilled my own thoughts and theories on how to swim efficiently and am committed to not letting swimming become unnecessarily complicated. My coaching methodology continues to develop and evolve.
When not coaching swimming, swimming, or thinking about swimming, I enjoy playing chess, keeping fit in the gym, cycling on my gravel bike, and walking in the beautiful Sussex countryside with my working cocker spaniel Daisy.
I am no longer affiliated with the Total Immersion brand but will always be thankful to TI for my time as a coach affiliated with them.
It was when was introduced to Total Immersion I started to learn about how swimming actually worked for the first time; how balance and streamlining are vital to becoming an efficient swimmer. Through Total Immersion I was introduced to the work of the pioneering American coach Bill Boomer ("The shape of the vessel is more important than the size of the engine"), with whom Total Immersion founder Terry Laughlin collaborated.
I took my Total Immersion Coach Certification in 2015. Thus began of my own journey of research into swimming and studying the theories of other notable coaches and the physics and biomechanics of swimming.
Over the years I have refined and distilled my own thoughts and theories on how to swim efficiently and am committed to not letting swimming become unnecessarily complicated. My coaching methodology continues to develop and evolve.
When not coaching swimming, swimming, or thinking about swimming, I enjoy playing chess, keeping fit in the gym, cycling on my gravel bike, and walking in the beautiful Sussex countryside with my working cocker spaniel Daisy.
I am no longer affiliated with the Total Immersion brand but will always be thankful to TI for my time as a coach affiliated with them.
"James is the most thoughtful and engaging coach I’ve worked with. He responds to what’s in front of him rather than trying to fit your swimming to a general model, unerringly zeroing in on one or two points that will help you improve. His understanding of the stroke dynamics of front crawl, in particular, is exemplary. The video segments James sends post-session are invaluable – and every bit of advice is delivered with tremendous charm and thoughtfulness. His coaching has helped recently my short course PB for 1500m from 19:00.17 to 18:42.32. Big thanks."
– Paul Mason, open-water swimmer; National Masters 1500m silver medalist, SE Regional 3k champion.
– Paul Mason, open-water swimmer; National Masters 1500m silver medalist, SE Regional 3k champion.