Alcatraz!

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:

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.

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

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 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ><>

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

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.

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

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

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

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!