Swim Better: A Guide to Greater Efficiency for Swimmers and Instructors Paperback – December 16, 2014

Well organized and carefully written instructions that would be very useful to anyone like me who knows how to swim but would like to improve his swimming ability. The only thing it lacks is an audio version to take to the pool so readers could review different points about improving the various strokes while they are practicing.

Colyer instructs how to master the fundamentals of swimming in a logical, step-by-step format that any adult can follow, from those how have never gotten their feet wet to those who have been swimming for fitness for years. This book is not designed for accomplished swimmers. Terms such as "crawl stroke" and instruction on side stroke make that clear (though experienced swimmers and coaches can learn a few things). Colyer's writing and organization is easy on the reader's mind and the graphics complement the text nicely. The book comes through as promised. If you want to swim better, this is a good place to start.

As a long time swim coach, I'm interested in the “how” and “why” we learn to swim. That’s the part of this book I think ALL coaches should read. Most are self-taught as coaches and simply pass on the mechanics of what they were taught in their own words. In my opinion, coaches have often relied on charisma first, actual science, if at all, second. My Colyer is so fortunate to have learned from the master, Doc Councilman. As for the rest of the book, for beginners it's the ideal manual, simple, to the point and right on the money.

Swimming is a complex sport, particularly when performed well. Swimming is also more fun when performed efficiently. For those who are new to the sport, Bob Colyer does an excellent job of teaching the drills and techniques that will lead you to a more efficient swimming stroke in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. At any age, to begin swimming better, I highly recommend this book.Gary Hall, M.D.3 time Olympic SwimmerPresident of The Race Club, Inc.Co-author of Fundamentals of Fast Swimming