Alcatraz Swim

I also signed up for the September 12th Alcatraz about a month ago. I have always wanted to do it since I was born and spent my early years in SF, but I live in TX now and although I can swim much more than the distance, I don't swim in cold water and I don't swim in rough (open) water. I am really really excited about the challenge though! :fish2:

Hey my friend, Sherry is a swimming & triathlon coach and she has done the Alcatraz swim before. her email is listed below. I just talked with her and told her that you might be contacting her. Good Luck with your training.:cheerleader: trisc2002@msn.com Jan from Bham

You will need to practice either (A) swimming in water that is around 60F for 40-60 min., or (B) swimming for 40-60 min. in a wetsuit. Plan (B) is more practical for most people. Plan (A) is not at all impossible but it does take some training. Look in the OW section of this site for more useful information. You'll have a great time if you prepare yourself sensibly.

I have registered for my first Alcatraz swim, scheduled for 9/12/09. Has anyone here ever done the swim? Any advice? I may be nuts..but, it's something I feel I want to do just once in my life! I can do an easy mile and a half in the Y pool..am lifting weights too. Wow that is awesome you go girl. I have never heard of that before. That is officially my new goal before I die. I am 25 now so I have some time to train. HEHE -Julia

Robin, Sent you a PM with the name of a friend of mine that is an swim coach/open water coach in San Francisco. She has done a number of the Bay area swims and has trained people to do them as well. John

I signed up for this too. It will be my first OW swim. I signed up for the wetsuit division, but if I can get into the bay enough this summer, I might skip the wetsuit... I'm definitely not a fan of cold water, though!

I did Alcatraz Sharkfest last summer -- without a wetsuit. It was challenging, but what really helped for me was doing a clinic (about $15) with Pedro at Waterworld in Aquatic Park in SF (where the race ends) a few days before the event. I got a sense of the water temp, currents, salty taste, etc. Go to www.waterworldswim.com/.../default.asp to see more info. He recommends earplugs and special swim cap made from same material as a wetsuit (I got one from Blue 70). I have done other open water swims previously, which also gave me the confidence I needed. Good luck!

I have swim in the bay several times w/o a wetsuit, when the temp has been in the high 50's...low 60's. The first few minutes take your breath away but if you get in and get moving, then you will be fine. I am not much of an open water swimmer and not real well insulated either and it wasn't a problem once I got moving. Good luck! Enjoy the swim.