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
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
Edit: Woah--I just noticed that this is a resurrected thread and I just spent 15 minutes answering what is probably a long dead question. Well, hopefully someone finds my ramblings somewhat useful...
Which Alcatraz swim are you talking about specifically? If you mean the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, that's pretty hard to get into. I think you either need to qualify for it or make your way through multiple lotteries. I'm not sure I'd recommend that race from someone who's never done an open water swim before.
If you mean one of the pure Alcatraz swims, there are several (maybe even many). I do the Enviro Sports Alcatraz Sharkfest every year, and that's one of the big ones (close to 1000 participants). The South End Rowing Club also puts one on, and there are others as folks have mentioned.
I'm also a member of the Dolphin Club, which is one of the two swimming and boating clubs located in Aquatic Park in San Francisco and I've done a number of Club only Alcatraz swims.
I'm by no means an expert (I've only done about 8-10 crossings all told) but I have at least *some* experience so I'll try to answer your questions (though frankly most of the other responders have done a great job already).
=> Is it pretty much for elite swimmers and tri-athletes? That depends on which event you mean. If you mean the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, then that is heavily weighted towards elite and at least very experienced triathletes. The others all run the gamut and I would not feel worried if you have limited experience.
=> Do they have regularly scheduled events just for swimmers? The Sharkfest and the South End Club swims are both strictly swims. Enviro Sports puts on an Escape from the Rock Tri, and I think you can sign up for the swim only if you want. Not sure about the Escape from Alcatraz Tri. There are so many people that want to do the whole thing, I'm not sure you can enter swim only but I don't know.
=> What kind of conditioning shape should one be in to reasonably attempt it? Depends on how good of a swimmer you are. If you can swim the mile in a pool in 30 minutes or so, you'll be fine.
=> What kind of training would you recommend? It would be great to get in some open water training if you've never done it before. Maybe enter a local open water race?
The key, however, and I cannot stress this enough, is that you should get in the Bay a few times before the race. Acclimating to the cold water is very important, even if you're wearing a wetsuit. If you're not from SF, I would get there a few days before the swim and get into Aquatic Park every day and swim. There is a string of buoys along the shoreline that approximates a quarter mile that is perfect for swimming along. I would NOT recommend swimming outside of Aquatic Park, as you're liable to get run over by a boat unless you have a very good escort. Stay in for only a short time your first day and then try to build on that until race day. Ideally, you're building up to staying in the water for at least as long as it will take you to make the crossing. I'd say most people make it in 30-45 minutes, but a fair number take up to an hour. The winner of the Sharkfest this year did it in 24 minutes (no wetsuit) but she is an elite level swimmer that just comes to make the rest of us look bad.
The Dolphin Club and South End Rowing Club have public day access on alternating days for a very moderate fee, which will get you access to a locker and showers (and a sauna) for after your swims. Worth taking advantage of.
One final bit of advice--listen to where they tell you to aim for. The currents in the Bay can be deceiving and are strongest close to shore. If they are telling you to aim significantly left of the finish--that's where you should aim or you will run a high risk of being pushed off course and unable to finish.
Happy to answer other questions.
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
Edit: Woah--I just noticed that this is a resurrected thread and I just spent 15 minutes answering what is probably a long dead question. Well, hopefully someone finds my ramblings somewhat useful...
Which Alcatraz swim are you talking about specifically? If you mean the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, that's pretty hard to get into. I think you either need to qualify for it or make your way through multiple lotteries. I'm not sure I'd recommend that race from someone who's never done an open water swim before.
If you mean one of the pure Alcatraz swims, there are several (maybe even many). I do the Enviro Sports Alcatraz Sharkfest every year, and that's one of the big ones (close to 1000 participants). The South End Rowing Club also puts one on, and there are others as folks have mentioned.
I'm also a member of the Dolphin Club, which is one of the two swimming and boating clubs located in Aquatic Park in San Francisco and I've done a number of Club only Alcatraz swims.
I'm by no means an expert (I've only done about 8-10 crossings all told) but I have at least *some* experience so I'll try to answer your questions (though frankly most of the other responders have done a great job already).
=> Is it pretty much for elite swimmers and tri-athletes? That depends on which event you mean. If you mean the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, then that is heavily weighted towards elite and at least very experienced triathletes. The others all run the gamut and I would not feel worried if you have limited experience.
=> Do they have regularly scheduled events just for swimmers? The Sharkfest and the South End Club swims are both strictly swims. Enviro Sports puts on an Escape from the Rock Tri, and I think you can sign up for the swim only if you want. Not sure about the Escape from Alcatraz Tri. There are so many people that want to do the whole thing, I'm not sure you can enter swim only but I don't know.
=> What kind of conditioning shape should one be in to reasonably attempt it? Depends on how good of a swimmer you are. If you can swim the mile in a pool in 30 minutes or so, you'll be fine.
=> What kind of training would you recommend? It would be great to get in some open water training if you've never done it before. Maybe enter a local open water race?
The key, however, and I cannot stress this enough, is that you should get in the Bay a few times before the race. Acclimating to the cold water is very important, even if you're wearing a wetsuit. If you're not from SF, I would get there a few days before the swim and get into Aquatic Park every day and swim. There is a string of buoys along the shoreline that approximates a quarter mile that is perfect for swimming along. I would NOT recommend swimming outside of Aquatic Park, as you're liable to get run over by a boat unless you have a very good escort. Stay in for only a short time your first day and then try to build on that until race day. Ideally, you're building up to staying in the water for at least as long as it will take you to make the crossing. I'd say most people make it in 30-45 minutes, but a fair number take up to an hour. The winner of the Sharkfest this year did it in 24 minutes (no wetsuit) but she is an elite level swimmer that just comes to make the rest of us look bad.
The Dolphin Club and South End Rowing Club have public day access on alternating days for a very moderate fee, which will get you access to a locker and showers (and a sauna) for after your swims. Worth taking advantage of.
One final bit of advice--listen to where they tell you to aim for. The currents in the Bay can be deceiving and are strongest close to shore. If they are telling you to aim significantly left of the finish--that's where you should aim or you will run a high risk of being pushed off course and unable to finish.
Happy to answer other questions.
