Did folks see this top-page news brief? Good heavens!
www.usms.org/features.php
And it's a great idea, I think. A nice marriage of pool technique - swim all 4 strokes - and jellies, whales, and steamships. Plus big waves. A wonderful challenge for those inclined. Next year I would expect 100 swimmers. Perhaps this should be added to the "dream event" list.
:cheerleader:
I lived in the Bay area for 20 years prior to moving to Arizona and was very acclimated to the ocean water temperature. The coldest water I've been able to bring myself to swim in (sans wetsuit) here in the Southwest was ~58 degrees back in April. After 10 years here, I'm really used to much warmer water temperature. :)
I would love to try a swim in the Bay the next time I'm in your neck of the woods, but can just anyone jump in and have a go at swimming under the bridge or are there rules about swimming in the Bay?
The Dolphin Club has rules, unfortunately. The hardest one for you will be that you need to be a member of the club to swim "out of cove" with them (the cove being Aquatic Park). Even if you were a member, you need to arrange for the swim with the Club's commissioners (and get their approval). They also have strict guidelines as to the number of swimmers per pilot (3 swimmers per pilot--this is very conservative, but also very safe/reassuring when you're out there). Our sister club, the South End Rowing Club, may have more lax rules but at a minimum they require club membership for club swims too I'm sure.
If you're not doing the swim with either club, I don't think there are any SF Bay rules or permissions required. I'll ask around at the club and see what I can find out. Having said that you will definitely want a pilot or two if you're doing it on your own to watch out for large ships and to wave off the smaller ones. I think there are various people you can pay to pilot you on these types of swims. Their swimmer/pilot ratios are usually much higher (and they're not cheap).
If you want to swim in the cove next time you're out here, let me know and maybe we can swim together (there is a small fee to use the Dolphin Club as a non-member/guest). It's plenty fun (much better than a pool) and a uniquely SF way to get your swimming in!
I lived in the Bay area for 20 years prior to moving to Arizona and was very acclimated to the ocean water temperature. The coldest water I've been able to bring myself to swim in (sans wetsuit) here in the Southwest was ~58 degrees back in April. After 10 years here, I'm really used to much warmer water temperature. :)
I would love to try a swim in the Bay the next time I'm in your neck of the woods, but can just anyone jump in and have a go at swimming under the bridge or are there rules about swimming in the Bay?
The Dolphin Club has rules, unfortunately. The hardest one for you will be that you need to be a member of the club to swim "out of cove" with them (the cove being Aquatic Park). Even if you were a member, you need to arrange for the swim with the Club's commissioners (and get their approval). They also have strict guidelines as to the number of swimmers per pilot (3 swimmers per pilot--this is very conservative, but also very safe/reassuring when you're out there). Our sister club, the South End Rowing Club, may have more lax rules but at a minimum they require club membership for club swims too I'm sure.
If you're not doing the swim with either club, I don't think there are any SF Bay rules or permissions required. I'll ask around at the club and see what I can find out. Having said that you will definitely want a pilot or two if you're doing it on your own to watch out for large ships and to wave off the smaller ones. I think there are various people you can pay to pilot you on these types of swims. Their swimmer/pilot ratios are usually much higher (and they're not cheap).
If you want to swim in the cove next time you're out here, let me know and maybe we can swim together (there is a small fee to use the Dolphin Club as a non-member/guest). It's plenty fun (much better than a pool) and a uniquely SF way to get your swimming in!
