Does anyone have thoughts on which Alcatraz swim is the best? I see a few online but am not sure which one I should try to get into. I'm not interested in a triathlon, just a swim.
I'm also interested in this. I'm considering going out with a group that does this from Arizona (see thefastfoundation.com/.../) with my older daughter. This one will be more family / just-do-it oriented than competitive, but might be a great way to get going.
Check out http://www.dolphinclub.org/ as these are the hard-core Bay Area swimmers. I've swum a few times in aquatic park for training and, while the Dolphin folks are tough with respect to doing their swims without wetsuits, no one gave this wimpy Arizonan a tough time with my wet suit on.
I did the South End Rowing Club swim this year on Sept. 20. It ended up being a good choice. The water is about as warm as its going to get that time of year, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous the entire weekend. Sunny and warm. Water was 63 and not too rough. I wore a sleeveless wetsuit, but I think I could go without, at least at 63. If it was less than that, I'd be sticking with the wetsuit. I swim in LA, so I was used to the water being in the upper 60's/low 70's. That was the first Alcatraz swim I've done, but after spending several months reading advice about the swim and seeing previous posts about other Alcatraz swims I think the September one is a good one to start with. I'll be doing it again this year, I think.
www.south-end.org/.../
I did the envirosports Alcatraz Sharkfest swim in june. I had never done an open water swim before and this turned out to be a great time. It was just the swim, from Alcatraz to aquatic park. It was a cold foggy day which made it all the more fun when you couldn't see anything around. I recommend checking this out. Just google sharkfest alcatraz swim. It was well organized, they had the coast guard and sfpd out on the water along with many kyakers.
I did the South End Rowing Club swim this year on Sept. 20. It ended up being a good choice. The water is about as warm as its going to get that time of year, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous the entire weekend. Sunny and warm. Water was 63 and not too rough. I wore a sleeveless wetsuit, but I think I could go without, at least at 63. If it was less than that, I'd be sticking with the wetsuit. I swim in LA, so I was used to the water being in the upper 60's/low 70's. That was the first Alcatraz swim I've done, but after spending several months reading advice about the swim and seeing previous posts about other Alcatraz swims I think the September one is a good one to start with. I'll be doing it again this year, I think.
www.south-end.org/.../
I registered for this one over the weekend. I do not swim in open nor cold water, so this will be a challenge, but one I am looking forward to. My mom was born and raised in San Francisco and I was born there. I remember playing in the cold surf at Drakes Beach as a young teen and it was COLD!!! I cannot wait for this swim!!!! :fish2:
The water world swim folks seem nice. I did the 2007 race around alcatraz and won (never got the award after several email exchanges/promises). The race is expensive. I have also done the escape from alcatraz tri twice which is fun but I think now very hard to get into.
I am skeptical of people that drag kids out there to do it (pretending some 7 year old really has some dream to swim around alcatraz is lunacy--seems more like delusional parents to me).
Frankly, Alcatraz swims have become quite a pseudo-event after tens of thousands of crossings have occurred; I suppose this gives you cred among non-swimmers, but many of the events are more expensive, than they are worth.
Having said that, however, if it has always been your dream to do it, best of luck to you.:)
I have done the Sharkfest 5 times and think it is a great, well run event. It fills up fast/soon and is worth it.
This year I am doing the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon for the 1st time, and unlike my last 3 Sharkfest swims, I will do it with a wet suit.
Good luck and Have FUN!
Sharkfest through Environsports in June is very well run, very fun, tons of food, a band, and they seemed to have their act together. As noted..you will need to sign up for next year. That swim is a kick in the behind! fun but kinda scary too..haha..
