I am from Portland Oregon and want to do an Alcatraz swim event. Not knowing the events and their seem to be many I wanted any help I could get in choosing one. From what I saw on the web the shark fest seems to be a main event. I figure I am am going to come down from Portland it should be a big event and not a club outing. Any input on this would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.
Parents
Former Member
I've done the Sharkfest, the Invitational, and the Alcatraz Challenge Swim/run. Sharkfest and Inv. swim into Aquatic Park which is basically right across from Alcatraz, so you are really swimming "across" the outgoing current. The opnening is a smaller target to shoot for, so if you aim too far right you have to swim upstream (done that) or too far left swim downstream along the wall (done that too :) )
The Inv. gives access to the south end rowing clubm, but the sharkfest has sharks on the t shirts. Both were run very well I thought. In both races people got pretty far spread out so there were a few times I felt like I was alone (I wasn't)
The Alcatraz challenge swims down to the beach at Crissy Field, so it's a little longer but is much more "with" the current. You're funneled to the beach so it feels as if many more people and kayaks are around you.
If you are a runner, the Alc. Challenge swim /run is a great race
I've done the Sharkfest, the Invitational, and the Alcatraz Challenge Swim/run. Sharkfest and Inv. swim into Aquatic Park which is basically right across from Alcatraz, so you are really swimming "across" the outgoing current. The opnening is a smaller target to shoot for, so if you aim too far right you have to swim upstream (done that) or too far left swim downstream along the wall (done that too :) )
The Inv. gives access to the south end rowing clubm, but the sharkfest has sharks on the t shirts. Both were run very well I thought. In both races people got pretty far spread out so there were a few times I felt like I was alone (I wasn't)
The Alcatraz challenge swims down to the beach at Crissy Field, so it's a little longer but is much more "with" the current. You're funneled to the beach so it feels as if many more people and kayaks are around you.
If you are a runner, the Alc. Challenge swim /run is a great race
