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"Cathy Adams is a brilliant
swimming coach! Despite having done two large-group swim
training weekends before, I struggled--before taking lessons
with Cathy--to swim 25 yards in the pool without running out
of breath. I'd stop at the wall and fail to turn. After
taking six private lessons with Cathy a month ago, I can now
easily swim 4x100 yards and feel confident that with Cathy's
personalized insights and extensive notes in mind as I
continue to practice I will soon be able to reach 800 yards,
then a mile. Simply put, before taking lessons with Cathy I
was swimming like spaghetti in the pool, and now my form is
compact yet relaxed. Turns out my breathing issues had much
to do with poor form. Encouraging a new form that conserves
energy, creates ease, and develops the grounds for speed is
where Cathy really excels as a coach. With Cathy's help, I
achieved what I set out to do with private lessons, and got
past my 25 yard block. I wish I'd taken private lessons with
Cathy years ago. I look forward to swimming practice now and
feel confident that soon I will be able to set more
ambitious training goals Cathy Adams is patient, observant,
and creative in her approach to coaching, and I can't
recommend her highly enough."
Henk Rossouw
"I have to thank Amazon for
sending Cathy Adams to me as my Total Immersion
Teacher/Coach! About a year ago I received an Amazon
recommendation “based upon your previous purchases” and the
recommended book was Terry Laughlin’s Total
Immersion Swimming. Curious, I began reading
the free sample pages, because I had been feeling 'stuck'
in my 2-3 times a week routine of the repetition of
free-style, back stroke, breaststroke. It just felt
like I was going nowhere—and not very fast, either! But, let
me quickly assert, my swimming routine had become a real
habit and an important element in my decision to 'take
better care of myself in my declining years'."
"So, on the first page of
Terry’s Introduction I read words that sounded something
like this paraphrase: 'Swimming is more of a practice,
like Yoga, where one uses mindful attention to continually
improve and deepen an awareness that gradually transforms
both your mind and your body'. BINGO! That was
what I was missing and what I was seeking for my swimming
routine."
"I ordered the book and the
video… and the rest was a disaster! Well, it felt like it to
me."
"As I tried to do what I
read and watched, nothing but frustration and disappointment
ensued. Where I read that I should “lie on your back
and ‘flutter kick’ the length of the pool, I ended up
hitting my head on the starting wall, completely unable to
move forward! This kind of frustration went on for about a
month. The self-talk that got me through was Terry’s
written encouragement that this would be difficult, because
I would be 'deleting my old muscle memory and replacing
it with a new and much more efficient method of moving
through the water, like a dolphin'. Yeah, right!"
"In my frustration, I went
deeper into to Terry’s Website. I was thinking, 'there
must be someone who can show me how this all works so I
don’t keep getting frustrated and confused by what I was
reading and seeing! There I discovered a number of training
opportunities and several recommended coaches'."
"Cathy Adams located about a
45-minute drive from my home appeared like 'the answer
to my prayers'. Her website revealing her
extensive training, background, and notable successes as a
certified Total Immersion Coach were more than impressive.
But, more important, meeting her and finding someone who
understood and quickly addressed my questions was
reassuring, a signal of hope at a time when I was beginning
to wonder if I would ever see progress in my desire to learn
this method."
"Since then, I have become a
regular client of Cathy’s because with the first lesson
(nearly a year ago now), my experience of the Total
Immersion technique has allowed me to make steady progress,
to achieve gradual gains that keep me focused, and find deep
satisfaction in this 'practice' that has made a
remarkable difference in my confidence and commitment to the
discipline that is Total Immersion swimming."
"Cathy’s expertise, her
compassion, and extensive personal experience more that
equip her to meet her students at their most 'teachable
moments'. Through her focused encouragement she
manages to identify and address the factors that clarify and
guide a student to understand the technique and 'connect
the dots' in ways that build progress toward mastery
with competence and confidence."
"In the time I have been
working with Cathy I have observed her work with others as
well. She relates with individuals of varied ages
radiating her passion to help her students make progress in
something that is really important to her both personally
and professionally. True, I’m happy for Amazon’s lead,
but I’m even more profoundly grateful to Cathy Adams for
making what could have been a disaster into a fulfilling
experience that has changed my life!"
A grateful student
"Working
with Cathy has grounded my daughters in important principles
about tempo, drag and stroke distance to become more
efficient swimmers. Because she explains the rationale
behind her methods, they have developed a fundamental
understanding of how they want to swim that allows them to
assess and self-correct their efforts. Her personalized
approach and strong communication skills encourage
productive, open dialogue about how they feel and what's
working and not working to get the most out of their
sessions and training. One of Cathy's greatest assets is the
incredible amount of pride and interest she has with each
swimmer. She welcomes feedback and results and is extremely
committed to their success. We consider her a friend, in
addition to a coach."
Phil D.
"Thanks so much for all of
the support and kindness you have offered my daughter over
the years. Working with you was one of the best swimming
investments we ever made. I believe her shoulders and
elbows stayed uninjured because of the mechanics you changed
in her stroke."
Karen Laverdiere
"I am a 24-year-old Naval
Special Warfare Candidate with little swimming experience
before I swam with Cathy. In order to gain a contract
to attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training
you must take a physical standards test that includes a
500-yard swim using the combat sidestroke. Before
learning the correct techniques for the stroke from Cathy,
my 500-yard swim time was 9:30. I told Cathy that my
goal for the swim was a sub 8-minute swim time. After
attending lessons with Cathy for 3 months I gained a SEAL
contract with a 500-yard swim time of 7:45.
Cathy was able to teach me
the basic principles of freestyle that transfer to the
combat sidestroke. In properly learning freestyle I
was able to gain better awareness of my body in the water,
which made me a faster swimmer. In every lesson with
Cathy she was able to communicate my mistakes in stroke and
was able to provide the correct solutions. Even now after
quickly achieving my goal with Cathy I will continue to meet
with her for lessons to fine-tune my technique. I
would recommend Cathy to anyone, not just special operations
candidates. Prior to meeting with Cathy I was a lead
weight in the water, now I am steadily improving as a
swimmer, with all of the credit going to Cathy because of
her dedication to help me improve as a swimmer.
I have to tell you how
much I enjoyed our six sessions together. You are kind,
generous and have limitless patience. I took many things
away from our classes that I hope to continue to focus
on—one at a time, of course! I had a great swim at the
tri this past weekend. I won my age group and truly my swim
seemed effortless.
Megan Bilodeau
Prior to swimming with
Cathy, I was a 22-year old with no history of swim
experience or technique. The greatest distance I could cover
in the pool was one lap, which left me exhausted and
confused as to why my fitness on land did not translate into
efficiency in the water. At the time, I was seeking a Navy
Special Operator (SEAL) contract with the intention that I
would be able to pick up swimming as I had any other
physical activity; however I soon discovered I was severely
mistaken. Having reached out to Cathy for swim instruction,
we soon met for an initial swim lesson, and began working on
the basics of freestyle: balance, length, rotation and
breath.
All Navy Special
Warfare/Special Operators swim a particular stroke called
the Combat Side Stroke (CSS). With no prior history teaching
this stroke, Cathy diligently researched the technique, and
came prepared to both demonstrate and teach the CSS. In just
my second lesson, I understood the coordination of the
stroke, and began fine tuning my technique under Cathy's
help and the total immersion principles. Cathy and I met for
lessons a total of five times across the summer of 2013, and
in that time Cathy gave me all the tools I needed to be
successful. In due time, my 500 yard CSS swim time fell from
over 12:00 minutes to below 8:30, I've fulfilled many open
ocean swims of 3+ miles, developed confidence in the water,
and was contracted by the Navy to attend SEAL training in
the coming months.
Cathy Adams approached all
of our lessons with an expertise that was second to none.
She researched a stroke she had never taught before and was
able to fluently speak to and demonstrate on all the finer
points of the CSS. In many of my one hour lessons, Cathy
stayed well beyond the allotted time I had scheduled with
her, and was happy to stay until both she and I were
satisfied with my progress of each lesson. Cathy's passion
for the water and teaching was always on point, and I owe
all of my progress and young career to her patience,
professionalism, and attention to detail. For aspiring
swimmers of all abilities, I highly recommend seeking Cathy
Adams for swim instruction and water confidence. For future
SEAL, SWCC, EOD, and Diver candidates, Cathy's expertise in
both enunciating and demonstrating the CSS is second to
none.
SEAL Candidate
/Amston, Connecticut
Ma’am, you gave me swimming
lessons last spring, 2014, (I was preparing to try out for
special forces). (I passed the tryouts back in October), but
they actually moved the swimming test back to a later phase
of training. This morning, we conducted the test and swam 50
meters in our uniforms and boots, and I passed with flying
colors! Thank you so much for your help; I definitely would
not have passed without your instruction last year.
P. B./ Connecticut
Just wanted to let you know
Eric made Varsity swimming this year as a freshman at
Minnechaug. He is doing so well and we attribute his growth
as a swimmer to you! He just had his first meet and
qualified for Western Mass his first time swimming the 500
free! Thank you! Thank you!
Kate Dzierzgowsky
Since swimming with Cathy
Adams I’ve gone from struggling to finish 100 yards in the
pool to completing a 1.2 mile Half-Ironman Triathlon swim in
open water! I first met Cathy at a Total Immersion
Clinic in 2012, and have been driving 200 miles round trip
to take lessons with her since then. She’s skilled,
observant, insightful and clear in her instructions.
Every lesson I take away a new focal point to work on.
My speed has increased 20% and my “Swim-Golf” score has gone
from high fifties to below 45-- and is still improving.
I’m an age-group triathlete and, thanks to Cathy, I feel
totally prepared to swim the distance and get out of the
water with energy to spare for the bike and run.
Megan Moynihan
"At age 35, I realized I was
long overdue in establishing a daily exercise routine and
the only sport I ever enjoyed was swimming. I connected with
Cathy during a weekend Total Immersion workshop after
researching various instruction methods and feeling drawn to
the TI approach. During the workshop, I learned how to
analyze my stroke technique through video analysis, stroke
counting and the use of a tempo trainer. I also learned how
to identify stroke flaws which could eventually lead to
overuse injuries. These are all skills I continue to use
during my daily swim practice and they have helped me to
drastically improve my speed and endurance over time. I
joined my local US Masters group shortly after starting
private lessons with Cathy, and was immediately regarded as
one of the more skilled swimmers on the team. I continue to
receive many compliments on my swimming technique from
swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Cathy’s ongoing guidance
has helped me to continuously refine my “feel” for the
water, while remediating stroke flaws before they develop
into habits. Since my swimming is always improving it is
easy to stay motivated. I am in the best shape of my life
and swimming has become a healing sanctuary, helping me to
significantly reduce chronic pain and stress."
Victoria
Conroy
"My 14-year-old daughter
Erin has worked regularly with Cathy for five years.
With Cathy's patient and smart coaching, Erin has gone from
an average age-group swimmer to one of the top swimmers in
her age group in New England. There is no doubt that
Erin's efficient and long strokes are a result of the
thoughtful and consistent coaching from Cathy.
Cathy's approach is based on the Total Immersion philosophy,
and Cathy takes substantial time to explain not only how to
do things but WHY to do things. She has done a great
job teaching Erin to think about her stroke and to adjust it
when things don't feel right. Over the years, it has
been very satisfying to feel that Erin is swimming and
improving at her potential and not just going through the
motions of swimming laps."
Susan V/ Northampton, MA
Susan’s first
testimonial was written in 2010 and is below. Erin’s
2013 winter season concluded with a Massachusetts High
School State Title in the 500 yd Free and 2nd in the 200 yd
Free, as of this posting she is ranked by USA Swimming as
the 11th fastest 14 yr old in the country in the 1650
Free for 2013, and she finished 2nd overall for 14 year olds
at the 2013 New England Age Groups.
"Cathy is a first-rate
teacher. She's smart, patient, clear, encouraging and
engaged. She swims like a fish herself--so relaxed,
beautiful, efficient and fast. And she knows how to
communicate her technique to her students."
"I'm a triathlete who used
to thrash through the swim on the way to the "good stuff"-
biking and running. After just 12 lessons with Cathy, I went
from having regular panic attacks (from going out too fast)
and coming out of the water near last to enjoying the swim
and finishing mid-pack overall and near the front of my age
group. With the improvements in my swim last year, I was
able to qualify for Nationals, win a local sprint triathlon
and win my age group in a few others, even one with a .9
mile swim."
"The best part is that I
love the water now. I actually look forward to the swim in
the triathlon. I relax and enjoy practice in open water or
in a pool. I'm confident I can finish even long distances. I
highly recommend Cathy to anyone wanting to improve and
enjoy his or her swimming."
JoEllen C/ Conway, MA
"My experience with TI was
so positive, I went to Cathy to offer a testimonial.
First, I will say that prior to taking TI, I was a ROCK. I
had been doing triathlons for about 14 years. Prior to
taking the TI class, I had suffered through sprint and
olympic distance swims (1/2 - 1 mile in length).
Put me in the water and I would sink to the bottom.
And, if I ever really got going, I was out of breath after
25 yards. Swimming was BY FAR my weakness. As a
triathlete, with the hopes of one day doing an Ironman, I
knew this had to change. And that was my stated
intention when I first sat with my TI group, and gave our
introductions."
"What once was my weakness,
is NOW MY STRENGTH. I will never set the world record
for the fastest swim in a triathlon, sprint distance or
Ironman. But what I now have is the confidence that I
can swim any distance in any race. When I exited the
water in my Ironman, I was completely "fresh", not breathing
hard, and fully relaxed. My 2.4 mile swim
(1:26:41) was effortless."
"AND, I can now
state that swimming is my strength in Triathlon.
While I might not be setting any records, I know that I can
swim for a long time. In fact, I am certain that I can
swim for hours (provided I have food and drink). I am
not considering a Channel crossing anytime soon, but...never
say never. When I swam with a friend the other day, I saw
the old me. He is new to swimming (at 40 years old),
and splashed and flailed his way through the pool. He
is now signed up for TI. To sum up TI in two words...IT
WORKS! Swim on. And thanks Cathy, your training made
all the difference!"
Jeff N, West
Hartford, CT, Ironman finisher
"When I started lessons, I had been away
from swimming for years. I am learning to improve my
technique with Cathy's detailed stroke analysis. The lessons
are tailored towards my specific fitness goals. My
stroke has benefitted from the drills. The visual aids have
shown me that I am becoming more efficent and am extending
less effort while swimming."
Marilyn H,
Pittsfield, MA
"I served in the military for several
years and it took a toll on my knees and back, not to
mention recently having my hand reconstructed. I needed to
change my workout. I grew up swimming on a lake and I always
considered myself to be a strong swimmer, until I met Cathy.
Cathy showed me that strong doesn’t necessarily mean
efficient or good. It has been six months since I
started training once a month with her and I can not believe
the difference. Through her instruction, I learned that
there was more to swimming than kicking and splashing.
Nothing can substitute good quality instruction and
training. Cathy is an excellent teacher, coach and
friend. She has increased my confidence and motivation. I
look forward to my next lesson with Cathy and the open water
season."
John O, Waltham, MA
"After being a
runner for many years and being persuaded to give triathlons
a go, I quickly realized I would have to do something about
my non-existent freestyle stroke! I had a few lessons at
the local pool but still couldn't do more than 1 lap without
feeling like I was in serious danger of drowning when
someone suggested I contact Cathy Adams, a TI coach. In
less than a year in the pool and around 12 lessons with
Cathy, I was able to improve my triathlon swim place from
379/418 to 283/491, good enough to place me 67th overall out
of a field of almost 500. Yesterday whilst swimming my 100
laps (yes, consecutively!) I was thinking about how did
Cathy make such a difference possible. Apart from the fact
that I now have a recognizable stroke driven from my hips
and core rather than my shoulders and a breathing pattern
that I can sustain almost indefinitely, I realized that the
biggest difference is that that Cathy helped me become aware
of all the different aspects of my freestyle stroke and now
I can almost instantly recognize and analyze problems as
they arise and so take steps to correct them. This is huge
and means that although the improvements now are smaller,
they are still happening and hopefully I will continue to
improve even further. Cathy's sessions are fun whilst still
giving you tons to think about - 90 minutes used to whizz
past! In addition to explaining concepts to you, Cathy also
uses video footage of your stroke which I found especially
useful. I will never trouble Dara Torres in the water but I
am getting to a point where my swimming is good enough not
to hold me back in the triathlons and allows me to get to my
stronger events cycling and running in a much better
position and significantly less fatigued, ready to "kick
some butt" in those elements! And, just in case you're
thinking you've missed the opportunity, I was 42 and not
able to freestyle when I went to Cathy, providing you're
prepared to put in the practice doing the (at times)
slightly strange drills, it's never too late - my advice,
give yourself a new year's present and book those lessons
with her, worth every cent."
Kathryn P, Cheshire,
CT
"My 10 year old daughter has worked with
Cathy for one year and I couldn't be more impressed
with the progress she has made in swimming. Cathy has
helped her learn to think about how she swims, how her body
feels, and also how to develop an efficient stroke.
After a few months of working with Cathy and essentially
re-learning all four strokes, my age-group swimmer started
achieving multiple best times at almost every meet. It
is very satisfying to feel that she is now swimming and
improving at her potential and not just going through the
motions of swimming laps at practice after practice."
Susan V,
Northampton, MA
"As someone who swam for exercise for 20+
years, I had an inefficient stroke. Once I got into
competitive swimming I took a TI course. It was an
immense help in streamlining my body and making me more
efficient. It now takes less strokes and effort to go
the same distance. Also, I can do distance swims much
faster. I continue to train with Cathy, one of the
coaches' at the TI workshop, to keep it an ongoing process.
One needs to continually work on stroke and technique to
improve swimming race times."
Michael D,
Windsor, CT
"I began swimming competitively at age 8
and never experienced any physical injuries until my
freshman year of high school. I went to a
physical therapist who recommended I see Cathy to look at
how my stroke could be contributing to my pain. So, I
began working with Cathy. Over the next year, I re-learned
all four strokes and the pain in my shoulders and lower back
stopped. In addition, I saw significant improvement in
all my strokes and my times. While teammates reached
plateaus during my junior year, I excelled and continued to
go best times. I continued to work with Cathy through
high school and am now a sophomore in college and still
enjoy swimming competitively. I still revisit Cathy for
stroke check-ups during breaks. Following my high school
freshmen swim season, I thought very seriously about
retiring from the sport of swimming due to injury and
freshmen year plateau. However after working with Cathy, I
contribute my success and happiness as a swimmer to Cathy
and the Total Immersion Program."
Chelsea H,
Bolton, CT
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