Any swimmers here?

Author: Nigel Tufnel (8432 Posts - Original UHND Member)

Posted at 12:35 pm on Aug 11, 2026

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I have a crazy idea to try a triathlon, but there's only one problem - I can't swim. Went to a local rec center to try to do a few laps and get a feel for things and it did not go well. I was lost, exhausted and panicky. Doing 1.2 miles for half ironman seems completely unattainable. Short of hiring a personal swim coach - which I am looking in to - any ideas?

Smartass answers welcomed.

'I define fear as standing across from Joe Louis and knowing he wants to go home early.' - Max Baer

Replies to: “Any swimmers here?”

Any swimmers here? - Nigel Tufnel - 12:35pm 8/11/26 (20) [View All]
- I do 3-4 triathlons a year. A few thoughts. - jakers - 2:47pm 8/11/26
  - Really good response. [NT] - Frankx - 3:31pm 8/11/26
  - Impressive, thanks. I'll take you up on the offer. [NT] - Nigel Tufnel - 3:11pm 8/11/26
    - Jakers' post really captures the experience for the average armature tri participant. [NT] - Curly1918 - 3:30pm 8/11/26
- I'm a one armed swimmer but I managed a few sprint tris in my 60s. - Curly1918 - 2:39pm 8/11/26
  - Wow. That’s impressive, curly. So you glide longer on your strong side with each stroke, right? [NT] - Eli - 3:42pm 8/11/26
- I’m a swimmer too. 1 mile each time, 4 times a week. Sounds like you can swim, just not very long - Eli - 2:11pm 8/11/26
- Is it worth it? [LINK] - Hensou - 1:45pm 8/11/26
  - Now pickleball is the new silent killer. It destroyed a lot of retirees’ bodies. [NT] [LINK] - Eli - 3:02pm 8/11/26
  - Oh sure, there's the prospect of death - Nigel Tufnel - 2:51pm 8/11/26
    - You may also want to specialize. - Hensou - 3:07pm 8/11/26
  - The swimming is. Competing in triathlons is up to the individual. - TakethetrainKnute - 2:00pm 8/11/26
- I was a life guard, you nailed it in identifying panic as the problem. - iairishcheeks - 1:40pm 8/11/26
- Where do you live and what kind of water will you be swimming in for the event? Lake? [NT] - Frankx - 1:23pm 8/11/26
- I swim regularly..... - BaronVonZemo - 1:15pm 8/11/26
  - Thanks - Nigel Tufnel - 2:41pm 8/11/26
    - Once you get comfortable with the breathing...which you can do... you'll be fine. Good Luck! - TakethetrainKnute - 2:46pm 8/11/26
  - Good for you Baron! Impressive. [NT] - conorlarkin - 1:18pm 8/11/26
    - We're both older conor - you should try it if you can. You'll feel great for it.... - BaronVonZemo - 1:22pm 8/11/26
      - ^^^This^^^. Exactly why I swim rather than run anymore. Less impact [NT] - Domer From Hell - 1:31pm 8/11/26

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