Has anyone here ever done this swim? It looks pretty intimidating for a mainly pool swimmer like me but I'm intrigued by it and it would give me a chance to visit relatives in the Bay area.
=> Is it pretty much for elite swimmers and tri-athletes?
=> Do they have regularly scheduled events just for swimmers?
=> What kind of conditioning shape should one be in to reasonably attempt it?
=> What kind of training would you recommend?
Thanks.
AJD
Gary Emich book is the best information you can obtain pertains to swimming from Alcatraz.
I have made the swim 10 times. My last one October 2013. I am 76 years old and a slow swimmer, but I swim 4 days a week in the Ocean in Southern California. San francisco is about 5 degrees colder than my SoCal location, the water temperature is not that bad if you wear a wet suit. I swim without a wet suit in 60F water for about 45 minuets each session. The body acclimates, so get into doing some cold water swimming. It is invigorating !!
Gary Emich book is the best information you can obtain pertains to swimming from Alcatraz.
I have made the swim 10 times. My last one October 2013. I am 76 years old and a slow swimmer, but I swim 4 days a week in the Ocean in Southern California. San francisco is about 5 degrees colder than my SoCal location, the water temperature is not that bad if you wear a wet suit. I swim without a wet suit in 60F water for about 45 minuets each session. The body acclimates, so get into doing some cold water swimming. It is invigorating !!
