Open Water Swim Lessons 2010

This clinic is only for swimmers uncomfortable and inexperienced in open water.

When: Monday evenings after work 6:00-7:00pm
Where: Boulder Reservoir-Swim area.
Dates: June 7, 14, 21, 28  July 12, 19, 26 August  2, 9, 2010.

Cost: Private lesson-$90, Semi-private-$100, Group of 3 participants-$20 per person, Maximum Group of 4 participants-$25 per person

Wetsuits suggested. Rent from Fleet Feet or bring your own.

My approach is gentle and sequential. I start with teaching skills for adapting to open water swimming such as breathing and floating exercises. Once a foundation of comfort, relaxation and easy breathing has been established, I move next to specifics for training then racing in open water. I provide drills for siting, drafting, pacing, entering and exiting the water and discuss strategies for mass starts. Non-competitive swimmers are welcome to participate in this clinic. The majority of the information provided focuses on improving a swimmer's ability to swim in open water with ease and enjoyment by eliminating anxiety, disorientation and struggle.

I learned how to swim in oceans, lakes and reservoirs as a Professional Triathlete. My specialty and best event is the swim. After teaching clinics at the Reservoir in larger groups over the past 6 years, I have discovered that there is more to gain by the participants in a smaller, more personal setting.

Call 303-554-8857 or email me at bethdavis@swimboulder.com to schedule your own group or private lesson.

Beth now offers open water swimming instruction and support with sea kayak – now available for long-distance swims. Click here for further information.

“I found Beth completely by chance, but it was the best thing that has ever happened to my swimming. When I started working with Beth, I was at a low point and I felt I would never become a swimmer, never love the water. As a triathlete, I had resigned myself to making up the time I lost on the swim in the bike and run! Swimming was a struggle and I dreaded every workout.

I won’t say that it has been easy – there is no magic wand for me in swimming – but having Beth on my side has given me the ability to keep trying, keep improving and keep believing in myself.

Technically, Beth is an excellent coach - she can watch me swim and communicate to me exactly what my body is doing (or not doing) and why. This is tremendously helpful when I’m trying to visualize my stroke. But more importantly, Beth understands the mind/body connection in swimming. She brings an amazing amount of compassion and patience to her teaching; this has helped me through so many struggles with swimming. She spends the time to understand what is happening in my life and my training so she can take the right approach with my swimming.

I can finally say I enjoy swimming, and it has become a source of happiness in my training. For me, that’s a miracle!

I can’t say enough good things about Beth. She has become a truly positive part of my training and my life.”

— Cary Kinross-Wright, Triathlete

“My swim on Sunday for the 1.2 miles was 47:30. I have not compared that to my other times at that distance, but the important thing is I really felt a lot more comfortable the whole time. I did the warm up you suggested (15 minutes), and that sure helped. I did not have any struggle with breathing or “OMG my wet suit is too tight!” thoughts. My form was a lot better. I think it also really helped to know that you think my stroke is basically okay in the open water and that gave me confidence.

After our Thursday am session, I went out to the Res on Friday and Saturday and did the relaxation/technique things you showed me. Lovely feeling! At the end of an hour or so, I flipped over on my back and just lay there looking at the sky and clouds, and closing my eyes here and there. A lady swam by, big smile on her face, and said she didn’t want to disturb my nap! So you know I was mellow.

I so very much appreciate your coming out to the Res to work with me. Even though it was a shorter session, it really did open my eyes to “softer breathing” and a lot more. You know, when I would take that huge breath of air before putting my face in the water, I think it fills my lungs with more air than I can exhale in the next breath so there is less air moving in and out with each breath and that contributes to some air hunger.”

— Barb, South Dakota, full-time physician, mom and trains at the local hot springs spa weaving her way past the soakers. She’s completed numerous Ironman triathlons in the 60-65 year old division!

“The sprint tri went well. I finished almost twenty minutes faster. About six minutes faster on the swim-it's the best swim I've ever done-I'm so much more comfortable in open water now. I still had to undo the neck on my wet suit and took a breath every other stroke-but I didn't stop to rest at all. Thanks so much for all your help.”

— Sabrina, recreational triathlete, professional and mom who learned to swim as an adult

Above/Below Water Video Analysis

Professionally made DVDs consisting of personalized above/under water video filming, stroke analysis, instruction and music. Contact me for further details.

Sitting Workshop – A Four-Class Introductory Series
Make Meditative Sitting Practice a Part of Your Daily Life

Monday Evenings Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16
5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Workshop Cost: 4 Classes $120.00
Download a flyer with details and discount

• Learn How To Transfer your Sitting Practice into Daily Life
• Learn Correct Sitting Posture to Create the most Benefit
  from Sitting
• Free yourself from the Speed and Acceleration of Daily Life
• Discover the Gateway to that Rich, Wordless, Silent Realm
• Learn Basic Meditation Focuses Designed for our Lifestyle at this
  Time in this Culture

To sign up for the Sitting Workshop, please contact Beth Davis.

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