Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon & Swim - June 19, 2011

I did this swim in 2009 in the non-wetsuit division, but as stated there is a wetsuit division and in fact us skins were most certainly in the minority on the ferry out. Several items; this race was sold to Tri California after the 2009 race it was produced by another group prior to them. If you go wetsuit you must put it on prior to the ride to the ferry and your not allowed any other clothing unless your willing to depart with if forever as they will not collect it. However, if your a non wetsuit person you are allowed to some warm clothing for the ferry ride and they will give you a numbered trash bag to put in in for delivery back to staging area. Make your travel arrangements so you get out there a day or two ahead so you can acclimatize to the water and wetsuit etc. Go to Aquatic Park and pay the small fee to use one of the swim clubs to warm up, shower and change. I’m a non wetsuit kinda of guy but I’m also a coach, if you intend to wear a wetsuit make sure you have swam in it at least several times before the race so you are used to it. They can feel restrictive in the chest area which can cause breathing issues, it’s also good to know where they chafe so you can put on plenty of body glide in those areas, especially when swimming in salt water. If you haven’t done much ocean open water make sure you attend the pre-race meeting especially the navigation aspects. Know yourself and your speed as they give the navigation assistance based on how fast you can swim a mile. I felt it was a very safe race with Kayaks and support craft everywhere. It was sort of bucket race swim for me just so I could say I did it. 38 minutes later when I finished the race and I was like “that’s it? But it was good time and well organized swim. FYI - Unlike English Channel rules most SF bay races allow skins to wear thermal swim caps and still be considered a skin. I highly recommend a thermal cap either way wetsuit or non wetsuit.

I did this swim in 2009 in the non-wetsuit division, but as stated there is a wetsuit division and in fact us skins were most certainly in the minority on the ferry out. Several items; this race was sold to Tri California after the 2009 race it was produced by another group prior to them. If you go wetsuit you must put it on prior to the ride to the ferry and your not allowed any other clothing unless your willing to depart with if forever as they will not collect it. However, if your a non wetsuit person you are allowed to some warm clothing for the ferry ride and they will give you a numbered trash bag to put in in for delivery back to staging area. Make your travel arrangements so you get out there a day or two ahead so you can acclimatize to the water and wetsuit etc. Go to Aquatic Park and pay the small fee to use one of the swim clubs to warm up, shower and change. I’m a non wetsuit kinda of guy but I’m also a coach, if you intend to wear a wetsuit make sure you have swam in it at least several times before the race so you are used to it. They can feel restrictive in the chest area which can cause breathing issues, it’s also good to know where they chafe so you can put on plenty of body glide in those areas, especially when swimming in salt water. If you haven’t done much ocean open water make sure you attend the pre-race meeting especially the navigation aspects. Know yourself and your speed as they give the navigation assistance based on how fast you can swim a mile. I felt it was a very safe race with Kayaks and support craft everywhere. It was sort of bucket race swim for me just so I could say I did it. 38 minutes later when I finished the race and I was like “that’s it? But it was good time and well organized swim. FYI - Unlike English Channel rules most SF bay races allow skins to wear thermal swim caps and still be considered a skin. I highly recommend a thermal cap either way wetsuit or non wetsuit.