We actually had two mentors of sorts. One via just talking online, the other through an actual meet. The first were active swingers in our area (met through an AOL chat) and spent a lot of time answering all of my long list of questions. (I had not discovered this board yet.) They directed us to a pay site and from there we met our first swing couple. We did happen to run into this couple at a club one evening and the wife and I talked in which I thanked her for taking the time to pointing us in the right direction. Sexually we were not compatible as play mates, but they took the time and effort to show us how to find those in which the overall chemistry matched.
Our first swing couple were experienced in the lifestyle by several years and knew exactly how to guide us without pushing us. They were the first to introduce us to various aspects including going to clubs and were very attentive to our reactions and feelings. Actually they would ask us questions to help us open up and talk about them as certain situations arose. This couple lives nearly four hours from us and we only see each other a couple of times a year, however we keep in contact via e-mail and phone calls in between. I think having a first really good experience set the tone to help us understand when things didn't go so well that not everyone or every situations is going to be 'like' that and we were better prepared in how to handle uncomfortable situations.
I think having a mentor is a good idea....however you must remember that it takes a lot of work and patience on their end and their playtime could be limited. If you are fortunate enough to meet a compatible mentor for your introduction in to the lifestyle, whether you play or not...be sure to thank them.
*EDIT - In a sense this board can also be a mentor for you. It provides the same support multiplied by hundreds that we received from the online couple that we corresponded with. Information is the path to success...
