Client Testimonials

"James is fantastic, he applies the principles of TI, but it feels unique to you and the challenges you face with your stroke. Most of all, what he says makes sense, and he makes it easy to apply, to take away and carry on practising. My biggest takeout from his sessions is that I now get how swimming should feel, and that’s after being a competitive swimmer for over 30 years!"  
Ann H - London
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"At the beginning of 2022, I made a commitment to get back into triathlons. The bike and run were never an issue for me, however the swim was a different matter. Having never had formal swimming lessons when I was younger, my technique was self taught and inefficient. I would dread my scheduled swim days- just swimming 50m would leave me breathless despite being a fit 30 year old female. I did self research to improve my technique, asked help from peers but despite this I made no improvement. The more effort I put in, the worse off I seemed to be. Having recently joined a triathlon club, a fellow member recommended James. James was truly fantastic and I can say has transformed my swim. He was incredibly thorough. He spent time explaining the areas to improve in my swim technique whilst providing excellent video evidence of my freestyle. As a visual learner, this footage was a game changer for me. Sometimes I couldn't feel what I was doing wrong, but after being able to see it, it was easier to implement changes. He was very patient and always went the extra mile. Having analysis and sessions with James changed by season around; I even won the award for the first female in our club championship standard distance triathlon in September 2022."
Olivia M - Littlehampton

"Hey James
I am so comfortable swimming I can hardly believe it.
From my first lesson with you when I was on 28 splashy SPL & you showed me 18.
I thought at that time you weren’t a swimmer you were an aqua glider.All those things you told me I feel and feel easy. Balance, catch, kick, glide, breathing, timing and above all the joy of moving through the water easy and relaxed. I think I sort of apologised to you before the first lesson as I was 74 and thought I may be too old to be coached. I am 79 next month, never felt so fit and never enjoyed anything so much. I still have the Solent swim in my sights for this year. Which brings me to the reason for this long email. TI is good, but incredible when delivered by James Ewart. I couldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for you and your coaching. You have given me the best present I ever had in my life  (other than my kids).It is the gift that never stops giving every day, and I feel that every time I hit the pool. Thanks James".
Bob H - Southampton

"I cannot thank you enough -  I can't believe I have gone from feeling like I'm drowning on a 20m length to swimming 2km without too much of a problem. Absolutely thrilled."
Maike H - Petersfield

"Hi James - 🤩 WOW - I still cannot quite believe that I actually completed the whole  ½ Ironman Weymouth 70.3 race and that I am now officially classed as an IronWOman!! 🙌.  Thank you so much James for all of your help on my journey … I think something must have stuck in my muscle memory on Race Day as I was a whole 10mins quicker than all of my 65min training swims….  (Yep; a whole TEN minutes)!  😜 Tracey T - Southampton

"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.

"Hi James, I got in the pool today and swam with very weightless arms. I feel like it was a bit of a dream because I think I lost count of how many lengths I did,  OMG!!!   It felt easy.  I am slightly anxious about my next swim because I am hoping it wasn't just a fluke and that this is a major turning point!!  I will let you know.  Still slightly bemused....... but thankful.   Thanks if it isn't just a dream."
Deborah F - Portsmouth

"Hi James
​Just done my morning Tues morning 1 hour non stop swim which I usually do @ 1:43 100m pace and splits have dropped to 1:38.
Focused on relaxed hands, pull more into the body and lower target and hey presto - 5 secs per 100m faster.
8 more seconds per 100m to lose by May.
Will book in with you again around March / April time once have nailed these changes.
Thanks for your help - clearly making a difference".
Dan R - Hampshire

"The last couple of times I've been swimming something quite miraculous has happened - I've felt slippery!  It's beautiful.  Gliding along with so little effort - at last I feel I've started to approach what I have imagined for all these years that TI swimming is like!   All the vids and books are fine but your sessions are what have made the step change - thank you!"
John D - Brighton
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"Hi James,
Two sessions with you gave me lots of insight into the mistakes I was making and practical ways to improve. Swimming feels much smoother and is 10-15 secs per 100m faster this year than last."
Ben S - Chichester

"Hi James,
 Just thought I’d drop you a line to let you know that I’ve just got back from my first swim session following our session  back in October. It’s taken this long because a few days after the session I went down with the mother of all viruses which put me out of contention for two months after which I was then knocked off my bike! Now fully fit I’ve resumed training and can report that the guidance you gave me has made a huge difference. I’ve just done a session where I concentrated on legs first, breathing second and arms last. Keeping my legs straight seems to be the biggest challenge but I came out of the pool feeling that I’d expended 50% less energy for the same number of lengths."
​Richard S - Portsmouth

"Hi James,
Your help made a massive difference to my Leeds Triathlon last year, I did a 1500m PB and I did not even feel like I tried. Worth adding that whilst I am a Triathlon England coach, it was you and your methodology that had significant impact to my swimming performance in an unbelievably short period of time."  
Euan M  - Southampton

"Hi James,
My time improvements: 
7 mins off my 1500m open water swim, albeit I'm sure some of that would be down to current in the River Arun. 
23 seconds off my pool 300m Aquathlon swim. And that was without trying to swim quickly. 
The biggest difference since working with you is that it just feels a lot easier. I'm not working as hard, but have got quicker. 
I've got loads to keep working on, and if I wasn't already enthusiastic enough about swimming, then I certainly am now!! 
Thank you for your help, I feel truly spurred on to greater challenges!"
Sarah H - Fareham

"Hi James, many thanks for the fantastic lessons!  You've changed my whole concept of swimming and I've enjoyed your way of teaching a lot as well"  
Svetlana D - Kiev, Ukraine

"Just a quick note to say thanks for the tips at our last video session, it's made all the difference, I've knocked nearly 10 mins off my 5K 25m pool time, down to under 1:26 for 5K,  1:42/100m!"
Ben W - Hampshire

"James
Thank you so much mate! The whole process has been quite literally life changing. Yes, of course the goal is to complete the iron man, but I’m learning a skill that means so much more to me.  Thanks to your superb coaching ability, I finally feel that my once ambition is becoming a realistic reality!"
Ollie C - Chichester

"Hi James,
Hope all's well? Completed the Dart 10k on Saturday which was great fun, will definitely do it again next year. The girl I swam with is a swim teacher and she asked me where I'd been swimming as my stroke had changed a lot since she saw me last. She said it was balanced, and natural, little straining and even after 7k I didn't seem to have tired or heavy arms! That's your input that!!
Many thanks"
Kirsty F - Hampshire

​"James. Completed the Scilly Island swim this weekend. Great event. 10 miles in the water but walks between on the islands. Beautiful place and very well organised. Definitely not a race. 
Thanks for all your help. I really improved in the last 2 months and had plenty to think about in the sea. 
Thanks again"
Simon S - Winchester

"Hi James,
Did 3k this morning and on some lengths when it felt like I was doing it right I was up to 5secs quicker, that’s against the clock in the pool … bloody chuffed ... just need to get it consistent. Also managed to get the hang of reaching with my shoulder and not my arms, so feeling the lats working harder. I can’t believe how much difference 3 training sessions with you made to my swimming, not only am I quicker but I no longer get shoulder pain.
Cheers"
Jody W - Hampshire

"Hi James 
Hope you are well. I just wanted to let you know that I had one of the best weeks ever on my Swim Trek holiday in Croatia! 
I cannot tell you what a wonderful trip it was and what a fantastic company they are . I was so so nervous but totally loved it . Felt v relaxed after day 1 when I realised there were others of my standard and we were lucky enough to have a wonderful group of 15 swimmers of all ages and backgrounds and interests. The camaraderie,  support and humour was as fun as the amazing swimming in the most beautiful waters. 
Was I the best swimmer ? NO ! But I managed 4 + km a day with only one morning where I struggled.  Had to do some breaststroke on the longer swims but that was fine and I was not alone in that. 
I had a truly life affirming week, we want to book for next year and I wanted to say a huge thanks for giving me the lessons to enable me to participate.
Thanks again for your help"
Lucy M - Basingtstoke

"Hi James
I hope you are well. I thought you might be interested in my swimming progress this year - as you are accountable for some recent progress.
Training has gone well this year, but I've been stuck in an 18m pool and have struggled to hit the dreamed-of 1:40s per 100m mark for anything over 400m. I have managed to do some much faster 50m and 100m sprints though, so was seeing some improvement.
Anyway, a couple of weekends ago I got my wetsuit out and got into a lake near me for the first time this year - and did a warm up 850m lap at 1:45s per 100 followed by a more aggressive one at 1:38.
I couldn't quite trust the watch as it seemed far too quick, so yesterday morning I went down for more of a test.
I managed a gentle 850m warm up clocking 1:38. Stopped and then did a double lap, so 1700m, trying properly and with a higher cadence (but not using the tempo trainer) and clocked 1:32s per 100m average!!
I've got my first Olympic triathlon in two weeks to test it properly and then Bournemouth Pier to Pier the week after, so hopefully it'll prove to be an accurate speed under proper timing
All the best"
James M - Surrey

"Morning James, got a swim in early this morning, bit of magic happened sorted my left hand catch finishing hand position on my quad/pocket and boom! What a difference my left hand not being in the correct position was stopping me rotating I am not saying it's sorted but it's gone a long way to correcting it. Those videos with your expert eye are invaluable, thanks, have a good day"  
​Shaun H - Southampton

"Hi James,
Just thought I’d drop you a note to thanks for the tips, they seem to have done wonders for my swimming! Went a couple of times this week. Arm recovery is much better, and second time I went I seemed to start getting the hang of the breathing. Felt unbelievably different not to be struggling for air after a few lengths! Plenty to practice, but felt like I turned a bit of a corner!"
Colin Y - Newbury

"Hi James,
Hope all is well. Just a quick email to let you know I went for my first open water swim last night after work. Before starting TI this would have seemed impossible but its amazing what can change in 6 months! We went to the Cotswold water park. First swim in a wetsuit for me! Was great fun - quite different from swimming in a pool. We were in for about 45 mins or so round a buoyed out course and water was just under 15 degrees C. Definitely caught the bug to go again!
Thanks for your help in getting to this point and looking forward to continuing to improve!
Cheers!"
Colin Y - Newbury

"Hi James,
Many thanks for the lesson yesterday ... wow what a  difference. Went to Petersfield Lido this morning and did a few lengths with not much breathing to concentrate on my arms and it was so much better. At the end I was doing 1:43/100m and last week I was around 1:58/100!".
Jody W - Southampton

"Hi James
I thought you might like to know how I got on at the SwimSerpentine on Saturday as you have been instrumental in the achievement. 
At my last triathlon in a pool I did 400m at 116 secs per 100, on Saturday the course was 1610m which with my time of 27:30 would make it 102.5 secs per 100m - which is mind blowing for me!!"
James M - Surrey

"Hi James
I have cracked the speed thing and did 10 x 100s off 2mins and every one was under 1.30 with most about 1.27. I was on 1.10 tempo and doing 15-17 strokes per length and I wasn't exhausted, so I am totally thrilled!  It is a 10 second improvement per 100 (I was previously repping on about 1.37, but on a bad day 1.40!) and I have hardly had the chance to swim, so that is really rather exciting!   All the best and ginormous thanks!"
Katy G-C - Berkshire

"Hi James
I got back in the pool yesterday and it really is remarkable the difference! I swam 60 lengths in 35minutes and it felt totally effortless - previously I would have swum that and have felt cream-crackered by the end!  I actually came away having really enjoyed my swim rather than it having been a chore. Back for swim this morning and I felt so good I swam a 100 lengths. At times I need to remember to adjust my head and my arms do drift to the centre if I'm not careful but overall I feel like I can actually swim for the first time ... So cheers!"  
Karen M - Southampton

"Hi James,
​Thanks to you and your colleagues for the coaching today. I’m literally amazed at how much I learned and have taken away from the sessions. For the first time ever I feel that I am in control of my progress. Slapping the pull-buoy between my thighs, zipping up, saluting and looking like an idiot just to get my elbow up and hand in the water (while crippling my rotator cuff) are all behind me now!"  
Graham S - Wiltshire

​"Hi James,
Since our last session 3 weeks ago I have been in the sea most days and am now up to swimming 500+ metres.  All I ever wanted was to be able to enter a triathlon, so I feel in a few weeks or so I'll be up to the relevant distances needed. I'd just like to say thank you in persevering with me and getting me this far. When the other day I'd done 500 metres I got out  of the sea and felt like I could do it again, I wasn’t out of breath at all. When I enter the sea now I’m not apprehensive at all. Even when its a little choppy because, I’m rotating quite a bit consequently I find it so easy to breathe and I think this takes away me panicking, hence I’m more relaxed. The sea has been fairly rough the last few days I’m just waiting for a calm day just to see how far I can go.  It's been nothing short of unbelievable for me - just a few weeks ago thinking I’m never going to get this to now being at one in the sea. Take care & best wishes" 
John P - Dorset

"Hi James,
Just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for your Total Immersion coaching. Having started doing triathlons only last year my weakest discipline was the swim and my best time for 1500m was 37 mins. After our three sessions, and a bit of practice, I did the Windsor Olympic Tri in June with a swim time of just under 31 mins - a massive improvement! Still some way to go, but the efficiency of how you have got me swimming is fantastic. Thank you!"  
Paul M - London

"As an amateur triathlete, swimming has always been my weakness. Until I started TI coaching with James, I felt like the harder I tried, the worse I got. James has patiently and expertly helped me to deconstruct my stroke, and to show me techniques that make me feel more natural, confident and efficient in the water. The shoulder niggles I was having are gone, and I am really enjoying my swimming like never before."
Nicola P - Hampshire

"I could not swim more than one length before I came to see you. This morning I could not stop swimming lengths. Today I reeled off eight straight away and then could not stop.  Effortless swimming!  I am "stoked" as they say In surfing circles. Thank you for your great focused coaching and continued encouragement"
Eddie L - Southampton