On Saturday 10th August 2019 I will be swimming in the 14th Annual Around Alcatraz swim in San Francisco Bay. The 5.8km swim involves water temperatures around 13C with fast tides and complex currents and is considered the most difficult of all the Bay swims.
We will start at 6.30am at St. Francis Beach and swim clockwise around Alcatraz, initially with a fast moving flood tide but, on the return leg, we will be swimming back into this strengthening tide whilst also aiming for the gap between the breakwaters to reach the finish line at Aquatic Park.
Our route is the dotted line in the diagram below whilst my route in last year’s crossing is noted in orange (https://riableathman.com/2018/09/25/smashing-the-rock/).
Whilst this is designed as a race, I plan to enjoy views of The Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island on the out leg and The Bay Bridge and San Francisco city on the return leg. There is something quite exhilarating to be swimming in open water amongst such famous landmarks in one of the world’s most photogenic harbours.
riableathman.com 