"Ian Cross sets out to help you improve your swimming by offering a different view of how to approach your aquatic exploits with this book. Cross is a qualified swim teacher and triathlete, so has the experience and qualifications to know exactly what he's talking about.

His book uses the Alexander Technique and looks at how your thinking affects how you function mentally and physically. Parts of the book seem basic for experienced triathlon swimmers, but there's still plenty in it that'll be of interest to even the most seasoned veteran.

Cross looks at all aspects of swimming including technique, breathing, injury prevention, stretching, kit and even offers training schedules. There's a tri-specific chapter that covers training generally and offers tips for anyone training in all three disciplines. It's short and easy to read without any unnecessary fluff, and great for building your confidence and feeling comfortable in the water."

Performance 8
Value 8
Verdict Useful reading for improving swimmers

Although I could swim I lacked confidence, and was having trouble getting my face in the water. The author's approach to teaching swimming is developing your relationship with water and allowing yourself to trust that the water will support you. This is something that I found really difficult, but I followed the instructions in the first couple of chapters, and slowly but surely they worked.

The advice about breathing is particularly useful. It has completely demystified this for me - it's so simple now - and after just a few weeks I am swimming calmly, and confidently, with my face in the water.

Swimming Without Stress is a wonderful book and I would recommend it to any budding swimmer who wants to improve their confidence and technique.

I followed the instructions on breathing with your face in the water and this was very successful as I managed to swim in the middle of 1.2m pool doing this, and also in the slow lane in the 2m pool. The goggles are excellent so far, and I felt very calm.

(One week later ....)
I now understand what you mean about 'making friends with the water'. Never thought this would happen, but it does eventually come. In the past week I have realised that the water will support me and am able to trust it. Your comments in the book about floating are very good and it's helped a lot knowing that I don't need to worry about star floats.

I'm enjoying the book. I think, for me anyway, it's best to use it in stages, and dip in when I need to - then it all starts to become clearer.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards

Carole