Last minute Alcatraz advice?

I've done the swim several times before. The strategy on the ferry jump is do you want to spend more or less time in the water waiting for the start of the race. I don't know who is doing the race you are doing but my experience is that they have different strategies. Sometimes they will assume that the competitive swimmers are going to get in quickly and they will start the race as soon as the last swimmer touches the water even if that means that everyone is spread out and some swimmers are pretty far behind the start line. So if you want to race, get in early and move ahead. If you are concerned about the water, get in towards the back, start swimming easily as you get in, moving towards the start line. By the way, when you do jump in the water, immediately move away from the boat. There is someone else waiting to jump right where you landed and you really don't want to be there when they do. Particularly if they aren't paying attention. The best way to get used to water temp is to swim in it. To do that, you can pay a day use fee and use either the Dolphin Club or the South End Club to adjust to the water by swimming in Aquatic Park. You can also just use the beach there but be careful what you leave sitting around if you aren't using one of the clubs. co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/.../sfscreen.shtml is a website that has Bay information--it doesn't look correct to me. I would expect the water to be between 56 and 64--and probably closer to 58 or 59. Its cool but doable for most people without wet suits. Listen to the pre-race instructions regarding what to aim for while swimming the race. There are strong currents in the bay and taking advantage of local knowledge is good strategy. If they say aim left, or aim straight, or aim right--do it. Good luck.

I've done the swim several times before. The strategy on the ferry jump is do you want to spend more or less time in the water waiting for the start of the race. I don't know who is doing the race you are doing but my experience is that they have different strategies. Sometimes they will assume that the competitive swimmers are going to get in quickly and they will start the race as soon as the last swimmer touches the water even if that means that everyone is spread out and some swimmers are pretty far behind the start line. So if you want to race, get in early and move ahead. If you are concerned about the water, get in towards the back, start swimming easily as you get in, moving towards the start line. By the way, when you do jump in the water, immediately move away from the boat. There is someone else waiting to jump right where you landed and you really don't want to be there when they do. Particularly if they aren't paying attention. The best way to get used to water temp is to swim in it. To do that, you can pay a day use fee and use either the Dolphin Club or the South End Club to adjust to the water by swimming in Aquatic Park. You can also just use the beach there but be careful what you leave sitting around if you aren't using one of the clubs. co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/.../sfscreen.shtml is a website that has Bay information--it doesn't look correct to me. I would expect the water to be between 56 and 64--and probably closer to 58 or 59. Its cool but doable for most people without wet suits. Listen to the pre-race instructions regarding what to aim for while swimming the race. There are strong currents in the bay and taking advantage of local knowledge is good strategy. If they say aim left, or aim straight, or aim right--do it. Good luck.