Terry Laughlin, Founder of Total Immersion, Passes Away at 66

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.

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Kathy Jelaca-Maxwell

5 years ago

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

Lynette Besonday-Washburn

5 years ago

How sad. I meet him when I lived in NY. Very nice man.

Dilek Newlon

5 years ago

Very sad. RIP. #damncancer

Brian Stack

5 years ago

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.

Ray Bosse

5 years ago

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

Brian Stack

5 years ago

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.

Andy Lai

5 years ago

So sad?, I read through his two books and DVD in 2011. RIP Terry.

Paula Moore

5 years ago

So sorry Betsy Laughlin???

Brian Kellar

5 years ago

A great friend of swimming.Did and ocean swim with him this past summer in Rockaway Beach.

katycoachswim

5 years ago

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.

Helen Wang

5 years ago

RIP ?

Valerie Fleming Louthan

5 years ago

Cheryl Lisy
I remember when you attended the clinic

Cheryl Lisy

5 years ago

Reply to Valerie Fleming Louthan

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.

Tom Cooney

5 years ago

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!

Doug Hayden

5 years ago

Reply to Tom Cooney

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.

Claudette Young

5 years ago

Graeme Young.

dean sprague

5 years ago

sorry to hear of passing – such an influencer.

Brian Mullies

5 years ago

Will always be revered.

Maxim Hayan

5 years ago

RIP Terry: you have learnt so many people to truly enjoy swimming!…

Rodrigo Zuniga

5 years ago

Ricardo Florido Ruiz

James Feeney

5 years ago

RIP ?

Frankie Koh

5 years ago

Rest in peace .Mr Terry you are always remembered in our memories forever and ever .A great TI innovator and mentor to us .?

David

5 years ago

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.

David Low

5 years ago

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

Noria Gaier

5 years ago

R.I.P ?

John Razi

5 years ago

A gem..of a man !!!! Wellspring..of oceans..of hope !!!!

Shubha Manjunath

5 years ago

RIP

Jim Booth

5 years ago

I hope our species can return to the Sea. Thanks Terry for helping us get there.

Deborah McIver

5 years ago

Kelly Lange wow

Kelly Lange

5 years ago

Reply to Deborah McIver

?terribly sad ?

willer

5 years ago

Bad news, RIP, TI student, Malaysia

Dilip

5 years ago

So sad to hear about the news. Sir Terry you will in my heart for ever. RIP
Dilip, India.

John E Buechler

5 years ago

Ez Ed Zerkle

David Hitchcock

5 years ago

RIP

Pat Kennedy

5 years ago

Prayers for the entire Laughlin family, friends and loved ones.

Sirkku Henkari Tampio

5 years ago

RIP

button

5 years ago

So sad. Raced him several times, including the five-day Highland Lakes Challenge. Great guy. Tough competitor. Will be missed.

Carrie Laughlin

5 years ago

Reply to button

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.

Yasmin A. Tyson

5 years ago

Condolences to his family.

David Peterkin

5 years ago

My condolences to his family. He will be remembered forever as the Guru of front quad swimming

Gary Emich

5 years ago

Swim in peace. You have been so influential to so many.

tom meehan

5 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJpFVvho0o4. RIP Terry Laughlin.

Jessie Mohan

5 years ago

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.

Carrie Laughlin

5 years ago

Reply to Jessie Mohan

Love you, Jessie… Thanks for everything. <3

Marissa Walsh

5 years ago

RIP

Cornelius Smith

5 years ago

Rest in peace

Thomas A. Small

5 years ago

Really sad God Bless you sir

Bob Hopkins

5 years ago

a visionary, creative genius and very nice person; he will be missed by the thousands he helped

Bob Hopkins

5 years ago

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.