Alcatraz!

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:12:32 GMT

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RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:36:45 GMT

Brian My wife took a picture of me shortly after I got out,..we were all in the "chute",..perhaps you are in that pic. If I knew how to post it on this site,..I will!

RE: Alcatraz!

Swimmy — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:11:42 GMT

I hate all my post race pics! Ugh!:shakeshead:

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:35:07 GMT

I'm having difficulty finding my photo as well. Brian

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:30:01 GMT

How do I post a photo of the event? I received an e-mail from an organization which photoed the finish,..looks like every swimmer,..except I can`t find me?

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:55:08 GMT

Good luck with no wet suit next year Ron! It was an awesome event. The organization was outstanding and I always felt safe. I'll be back next year. I hoped we would get to meet and we nearly did. We were four seconds apart at the end of the race. Must have walked up the beach together. Thanks to everyone who gave encouragement Brian C

RE: Alcatraz!

Swimmy — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:56:12 GMT

Congratulations! Your mom sounds like my mom! She would like me to sit and crochet all the time! Happy Laps! Swimmy :)

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 07:48:16 GMT

What a fun time!!! The jump from the ferry was a rush,..and then entering Aquatic Park was like entering the Coliseum! 40 minutes 55 seconds! Next year,..no wetsuit! Ron %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%><> :drink:

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:46:53 GMT

Newbie follow up from Sharkfest June 10th - Perfect weather, great swim, crazy fun. Loved the jump from the boat! Minimal bumps and kicks, everyone spread out quickly. Nice assist from big Coast Guard wake half way thru swim. Yee-haw! Thank you! Sighted extra bit to the left and made it to Aquatic Park opening no problem. Cheering spectators on end of pier and awesome view of GG Bridge, well, I had to stop and take it all in. Elated! Big finish...enough energy to sprint by some beefy guys (ego boost) and stagger up the sand to my trusty landshark friends. Time: 48 min 04 sec - goal was to beat an hour! Wooo-hooo! Ate. Slept. Called my God-fearing Mother, who was absolutely horrified by my feat. But Mom, it was FUN! She replied: Choir practice is fun! I am SO doing this again! Cheers!

RE: Alcatraz!

Swimmy — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 05:28:56 GMT

:party2: Good luck tomorrow at Sharkfest! Have fun and enjoy the view!

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:15:16 GMT

I`ll be there,......I`m a bit worried about my wetsuit. I bought it in December, and was able to zip it up at that time,..but now,..after months of training, my chest has increased in size, and I need help getting it zipped . I have done 3 swims with it recently and suffer no difficulty in breathing,.but I cannot zip it the last portion by myself. I bet I`ll find someone to help me on the ferry??? %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%><>

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:15:42 GMT

Thanks. I got right back in Aquatic Park monday eve and of course different day, different tides, had a really good swim. Every time I'm just so excited about being out in the intense surroundings! Dusk view of GG bridge! Awesome!! Who needs a clock?! Or a job?! Or a shrink?! Gotta focus. Just watched Gary's DVD which includes some GPS stuff you mentioned and plenty of useful info. Ready to jump off the boat!

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:48:27 GMT

Crabcake, just listen to the instructions. I don't thnk it's ever an exact science. I've done the swim twice, the first time (Sharkfest 07), I aimed for the opening and was right in front of it about 200 yds out. Next time I put my head up, I was about 20 feet to the right, moving out to sea. Had to sprint to get through the current and into the opening. Should have aimed further left. Second time (Invitationl '06), I overcompensated left and maybe the current wasn't as bad, because I ended going way far left. Go to the Invitational site and look for Gary's GPS routes from Alcatraz. He's done it a million times, see how may routes he's taken. Looks like even he missed it a couple times..... :) It's a great swim, no matter which route you take

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:57:34 GMT

Thanks Gary. Cool, physics I can live with. FYI, I did have multiple kayak support and several other people didnt make it as well. I also have time to watch your DVD!

RE: Alcatraz!

gemich — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:03:39 GMT

Crabcake - no need to be humiliated. Your situation wasn't a sighting issue - it simply was a matter of physics: you can't swim against a body of water that's moving faster than you can swim into it. World class swimmers can swim perhaps right around 4 mph and the waters in the bay can move as fast as 6-8 mph - no way to swim against something like that. At the beginning of the Sharkfest this Sunday the currents will be ending their cycle of flooding (filling up the Bay - moving to the east) and sometime during the second half of the swim will begin ebbing (emptying from the bay - moving west to the Golden Gate Bridge). The race director will tell you the appropriate landmark to sight on east of the opening - listen to whatever he tells you. Just remember that during the 2nd half of the swim the ebb should kick in & you want to be well east (left) of the opening since it's easier to swim an extra 100 yards with the currents than to be 10 yards the other side of the opening & fighting a current you can't swim against. And please for your safey do not swim outside the cove even with a group unless you're accompanied by an escort boat or kayak. There's too much boat traffic out there that's not looking for swimmers and as you learned the current is overpowering - you could get outside the opening and then get swept east or west depending on the current and not be able to make it back in. Play it safe. Regards & good luck Sunday,:wine: Gary

RE: Alcatraz!

Swimmy — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 06:13:44 GMT

:cheerleader: Have a great swim! Don't stress! You will do great! Just go and have a good time! :cheerleader: Swimmy

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 06:07:22 GMT

Six more sleeps and we hit the water! The number of people involved and the boat ride makes me nervous. It looks like we wear our wetsuits for a long time before we get to jump in. I guess I could always leave the top rolled down. Gary will you have any of your books at the park after the swim? Brian

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 13:26:38 GMT

Hi All - good tips and article in Triathlete, Gary. I'm training for Sharkfest on the 10th too. New to open water swimming but feeling confident and excited until today. Tried to swim out of Aquatic Park around the outer sea wall (w group) Got stuck in strong incoming flood and had to settle for inside swim. Didn't panic but so humiliated!! Was this clearly a sighting problem? Should I have over-compensated and over-aimed to the left? Isnt sighting way left of the two condo towers the trick to getting INTO Aquatic Park from Alcatraz...so you dont miss the opening? As a beginner I know I've been in awe of all the sensations - cold, wetsuit, waves, sights, sounds, ear plugs... Humbled, eating cookies, but don't want a boat rescue! Thanks.

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Mon, 28 May 2007 15:22:35 GMT

Hi We're doing our open water training in 52 degree water, The wet suit is keeping us warm enough but its a bit uncomfortable on the feet hands and face. I don't expect the water at Alcatraz to be much better. Should we try to apply anything to the exposed areas or is it a matter of sucking it up and not being a girly man. Twelve more days and I'll be in the Bay . Wow what a buzz! Brian

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Mon, 28 May 2007 13:46:14 GMT

I`ll be there on June 10,...the anticipation is KILLING me. My body is ready,.but my mind is questioning my body. I do believe that when I hit the water,..I`ll be "leaning into the harness." I can already see my wife waiting for me. I swam around the Oceanside California Pier yesterday in 58 degree water,..wearing a wetsuit,..I was warm as toast. Making my way thru the incoming waves is the toughest part of rounding a pier,.. the "downhill leg" is fun,...except for the "sneakers". See ya in San Francisco %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ><>

RE: Alcatraz!

gemich — Mon, 28 May 2007 11:42:03 GMT

If you can handle 52 degree water you'll be well prepared for Alcatraz. The water in the Bay is currently in the 55-57 degree range and if it's a sunny day, the sun will add the equivalent of another degree or two as the black wetsuit sucks up some solar heat. As to the hands & feet being cold that's just part of swimming in the cold. You may want to wear an extra cap (neoprene) if you're not already since most body heat disapates through the head and not the hands or feet. Try drinking warm tea or heat up your energy replacement drink (Cytomax) before the swim. That will do much to keep you warm as well as keep you hydrated. Wearing the larger goggles like Aquasphere Seal Mask can also keep more of your face warm as well as give you a better range of direct and peripheral vision though if you're not using them now it may be a little late to start training with something new. Hope this helps. Gary

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Wed, 23 May 2007 11:23:56 GMT

I am attempting my first Sharkfest June 10, and am very nervous about it. Swimming has always been my weakest link, and open water swimming in particular is tough for me, as I always have panic. I have been swimming 2-3 times/wk in a pool, done some open water training, and completed a mile open water race two weekends ago. I am also doing an Alcatraz clinic this weekend. I would love to hear any positive feedback from others who have done it in the past, and advice on the best way to mentally psych yourself up. I am doing the swim in a wetsuit, and have done all of my open water training in it.

RE: Alcatraz!

gemich — Wed, 23 May 2007 07:50:10 GMT

plesch Feel free to phone me - 650 359 3773 (before 7 p.m. PST) - I've done 494 crossings without wetsuit or fins - I can probably answer your questions better telephonically than via email. One big piece of inside information - the absolute, bar none, it doesn't get any worse than this, worst, horrible part of Alcatraz is all the negative mental stuff you're beating yourself up with between now and the time you jump in the water. Once you jump in you'll be having the time of your life. Gary Emich:fish2:

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Tue, 15 May 2007 15:53:04 GMT

It`s been 6 months of training,...my hair is bleached from the pool,...I have lost 10 lbs, ( down to 179 ) and can CRUISE ,..not fast , but comfortably maintain a rate of speed that doesn`t leave me winded after a mile and a half,...... 45 minutes ( in a 25 yard pool ). I hate turnng around,..and am unable to master the flip-turn :^( . I swam around the Oceanside Pier in 23 minutes, wearing a wetsuit ( HOLY COW,..talk about floating), and truely love the Ocean. The swells and the breakers and the sneakers,..those waves that blindside you ,... make things interesting,..and I am learning to navigate. I swam thru a school of bait fish ,....it was absolutely exhilerating,..they were like a cloud of ...numbers, darting in concert. Next month,...Alcatraz!!!

RE: Alcatraz!

Former Member — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:36:05 GMT

Brian I`ll be looking for you folks. You will be able to recognize me. It doesn`t say "speedo" on my swim cap,..it says "pokey" ,...and I`ll be swimming like I`m dragging two kegs of Molsen as well as a piano. Seriously,..on the 24th of this month, I`ll be in San Francisco taking a clinic on the swim,...we are supposed to go out to Alcatraz and will have an opportunity to get in the water and become "familiar" with the event. I`ll keep you posted. Ron