Terry Laughlin, who created the technique-focused swim training system known as “Total Immersion,” passed away Friday, Oct. 20, after complications with prostate cancer. Laughlin was 66 years old.
Laughlin is survived by his wife, Alice, and daughters Fiona, Carrie and Betsy. The family announced his death Monday:
“After living with metastatic prostate cancer for two years, 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.”
Laughlin had already become a successful high school and college coach when he founded Total Immersion in 1989, and seven years later, he released a book entitled Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster, and Easier, which has become one of the most popular training books in swimming.
Laughlin’s system is designed to teach efficiency in the water through balance, streamline, reducing drag and conserving energy. His methods have been especially geared towards Masters swimmers and triathletes, who he argued would reap the benefits of getting through their swimming section with a low heart rate. While his system was somewhat controversial, Laughlin’s principles of efficiency have also been adopted by coaches of age group, collegiate and elite swimmers.
In lieu of flowers, Laughlin’s family “will be accepting donations for the Total Immersion Swimming Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the company.”
Read more about Terry Laughlin and Total Immersion by clicking here. SlowTwitch.com also reported Laughlin’s passing.
So sad to hear. I have learned to swim and love swimming because of the techniques Terry taught. What a sad time for the swimming community
How sad. I meet him when I lived in NY. Very nice man.
Very sad. RIP. #damncancer
Terry was a mentor and friend since 1995. I was invited to work with him on a Total Immersion Clinic in Tempe AZ, the first to include other coaches. I worked in his program for 9 years while coaching Masters full time in Oakland CA. I learned so much from Terry and other coaches in the program and I will always be grateful for the many opportunities he gave me. He filled my toolbox and allowed me to travel the US teaching TI. He was a teacher at heart and gave freely to any swimmer who asked a question. I will miss him, and be forever in his debt. May you have an eternity of Happy Laps Terry.
A great friend, kind man, and someone I could talking swimming with for hours. His ability to make any swimmer he was working with feel good about themselves and feel successful was priceless.
I will miss him. RIP Terry.
Ray Bosse
Terry was a mentor and friend since 1995. I was invited to work with him on a Total Immersion Clinic in Tempe AZ, the first to include other coaches. I worked in his program for 9 years while coaching Masters full time in Oakland CA with the Manatees. I learned so much from Terry and other coaches in the program and I will always be grateful for the many opportunities he gave me. He filled my toolbox and allowed me to travel the US teaching TI. He was a teacher at heart and gave freely to any swimmer who asked a question. I will miss him, and be forever in his debt. May you have an eternity of Happy Laps Terry.
So sad?, I read through his two books and DVD in 2011. RIP Terry.
So sorry Betsy Laughlin???
A great friend of swimming.Did and ocean swim with him this past summer in Rockaway Beach.
Pete Hugo and I spent a week with Terry at New Paltz becoming TI instructor-certified in 2001(?), had a blast, loved time with him biking in the “Gonks” and spending time with him and Fi at their then-new house. What a loss. Condolences and prayers for his loving family.
RIP ?
Cheryl Lisy
I remember when you attended the clinic
You lent me that Total Immersion book to read and I got so excited that I drove all the way to IN to attend that clinic. Although the clinic was not taught by Terry and I never met him, he greatly influenced my swimming life. I didn’t actually become a swimmer until I went to that Total Immersion clinic and started to embrace the technique aspect of swimming. RIP Terry.
When returning to swimming after a very long absence, the first thing I did was watch Terry’s videos. It allowed for a smooth, smart, reentry into the pool. Thanks, Terry!
Same! I took a month and just read/absorbed the book, didn’t swim just drilled, learned balance, feel and a love for the water again. I was 40, fat, out of shape and depressed. I owe a great debt to Terry Laughlin and Total Immersion.
Graeme Young.
sorry to hear of passing – such an influencer.
Will always be revered.
RIP Terry: you have learnt so many people to truly enjoy swimming!…
Ricardo Florido Ruiz
RIP ?
Rest in peace .Mr Terry you are always remembered in our memories forever and ever .A great TI innovator and mentor to us .?
Yes. Sad to lose Terry.
I have benefited very much in his amazing swimming technique.
He will be greatly miss by all of us.
May God’s peace and comfort be with the wife and children at this moment of time.
Yes. Sad to lose Terry.
I have benefited very much in his amazing swimming technique.
Will miss him greatly by all of us.
May God’s peace and comfort be with the family at this moment of time
David Low
R.I.P ?
A gem..of a man !!!! Wellspring..of oceans..of hope !!!!
RIP
I hope our species can return to the Sea. Thanks Terry for helping us get there.
Kelly Lange wow
?terribly sad ?
Bad news, RIP, TI student, Malaysia
So sad to hear about the news. Sir Terry you will in my heart for ever. RIP
Dilip, India.
Ez Ed Zerkle
RIP
Prayers for the entire Laughlin family, friends and loved ones.
RIP
So sad. Raced him several times, including the five-day Highland Lakes Challenge. Great guy. Tough competitor. Will be missed.
What a great race series! I enjoyed swimming the Highland Lakes Challenge with my dad (Terry) back in ’09… My family appreciates all the condolences.
Condolences to his family.
My condolences to his family. He will be remembered forever as the Guru of front quad swimming
Swim in peace. You have been so influential to so many.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJpFVvho0o4. RIP Terry Laughlin.
I never would have been the relaxed swimmer I am today without Terry. I never would have read National Lampoon or Kurt Vonnegut without Terry. I never would have eaten a bagel for the first time at Jones Beach without Terry. So it goes. Rest easy Terry.
Love you, Jessie… Thanks for everything. <3
RIP
Rest in peace
Really sad God Bless you sir
a visionary, creative genius and very nice person; he will be missed by the thousands he helped
Terry’s reach and influence will last for generations. He was my college coach in 1973. He took a kid who never even swam in high school and got me to qualify for the NCAA nationals within two years. But he was much more than a coach. He was an inspiration. Terry and I remain friends over the last 45 years and whenever I had a question or concern about anything, swimming or life in general, he was always there with a reassuring and positive thought. He was the person who made thousands of other people feel like they could achieve something that seemed impossible before they met him. We have lost a swimming legend and a wonderful human being. Peace to his family.
Terry’s reach and influence will last for generations. He was my college coach in 1973. He took a kid who never even swam in high school and got me to qualify for the NCAA nationals within two years. But he was much more than a coach. He was an inspiration. Terry and I remain friends over the last 45 years and whenever I had a question or concern about anything, swimming or life in general, he was always there with a reassuring and positive thought. He was the person who made thousands of other people feel like they could achieve something that seemed impossible before they met him. We have lost a swimming legend and a wonderful human being. Peace to his family.
RIP
So Sad RIP Terry
I started my swimming journey reading Terry’s book then seeing TI coaches in the UK .
JohnW
Alice, thank you for sharing Terry with our swimming family for all these decades. Terry will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
RIP
RIP Terry Laughlin. Our condolences to your family.