Terry Laughlin, a former swimmer and coach who published the book Total Immersion and championed the importance and priority of technique in swimming, has passed away from complications due to prostate cancer.
Laughlin had been battling metastatic prostate cancer for about two years before finally losing that fight on Friday, October 20th. He was 66 years old at the time of his death.
Throughout the 70s and 80s, Laughlin taught technique and was part of several coaches who were not interested in popular styles of competitive swimming that suggested muscling through the water as fast as possible. A pioneer of the sport, Laughlin and his coaching peers helped start a movement that would put technique first in the world of competitive swimming.
After founding his company, Total Immersion, in 1989, his work gave way to the book, also named Total Immersion, which was published in 1996. The book became one of the most sold books in the swimming world. He coached swimmers and taught the significance of technique, a lesson he learned after struggling to produce fast enough times to satisfy himself as a high school and college swimmer despite recalling how hard he had worked.
Please read this note from Laughlin’s family about how to remember him and where to send any well wishes and sympathy cards:
After living with metastatic prostate cancer for two years (about
which he blogged widely), Terry passed away on Friday, October 20th,
2017, of complications related to his condition. He displayed his
characteristic optimism, wit, and passion for life– and swimming–
until the very end. Our family is in mourning and we ask that we be
given time and space to grieve a beloved husband and father privately.
While he was “Ter” and “Dad” to us, we fully recognize that Terry was
also a legend in the swimming world and admired by countless people
whose lives he touched in meaningful ways. We appreciate the
well-wishes of Terry’s many friends, fellow coaches, students, and
fans. A memorial blog post will be on totalimmersion.net, with space
dedicated for expressions of condolence. A formal obituary is
forthcoming and plans for a public memorial, including several
memorial swim events, will be announced for 2018. Please direct all
inquiries to [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, we have set up the Total Immersion Swimming
Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the company, which will focus on
bringing high quality swim instruction to underserved communities.
Details to be announced in the near future.
Any sympathy cards may be sent to:
Total Immersion Inc.
P.O. Box 370
New Paltz, NY 12561
Would LOVE to hear from someone that swam for him while he was coaching at West Point
I came to know Terry many years ago at Masters Nationals at USC in 1989. He was an inspiration to me and an endless resource for learning how to swim, train and race. He completely changed my outlook on the sport. Hi passing is truly sad news and a loss for the world of swimming. My condolences to his family and may he RIP.
I’ve known Terry since I was in High School and Terry was swimming at Adelphi Univ. He was always a very unassuming and friendly guy, and he was really committed to coaching and teaching swimming. He was an enthusiast for the TI program and ran the website and blogger questions with dedicated encouragement and empathy for swimming “newbies”.
Swam with Terry on a masters team in New Paltz. So sad to hear this news.
Such sad news. I bought Terry’s first TI book and with the confidence I gained became a Lifeguard at 39. That was over 16 years ago. Still going strong and passing the youngsters in the pool. Happy laps in Heaven Terry.
Loved his books and videos and he’ll be missed. RIP Terry!
I had the pleasure of rooming with Terry at an ASCA Clinic a few years back; we spent five days talking about technique, and our conversation has gone on ever since. A wonderful guy who loved swimming and swimmers; talks with him were always interesting and fruitful, even when we disagreed. Condolences to his family.
Good guy