fetching and swimming

Question
I can't get my 8 month old golden retriever puppy to fetch or even be remotely interested in the tennis ball.  I have tried pretty much everything.  I know how to teach fetch....but I think the problem here is that my dog has very little ball drive, but he does have a good amount of food drive.  What are some different ways to increase his ball drive and teach him to fetch.  
Also I am trying to help my pup learn to swim too.  He can swim, but he doesn't like going out more than 5 feet of paddling....if I throw a toy or stick in the water past that five feet he won't get it.  I also had his mom and brother come out and those dogs loved fetching and swimming in the water, but he would follow them in or anything....ANY ideas????
thanks,
Savannah

Answer
Ha, it is interesting, so many people think all Goldens are ball and water crazy.  Too bad I live so far away and can't take him with me to keep score at youth baseball.  Many of my puppies have gone berserk when the catcher is chasing a past ball right in front of us.  It is obvious the ball is a high value object.  Try showing interest in the ball your self.  Even get help and play catch with it, running madly after it if you drop it.  If he shows any interest in it at all praise him or treat him.  Perhaps you can slowly interest him in it.  

I have even less idea on the swimming.  I think it is an early socialization thing.  I have gotten a number of Lab puppies in the fall and never introduced them to water until the middle of the next summer.  They showed little interest.  since it wasn't important, I never pursued it.  If he likes food, perhaps try throwing treats into the water.