Alcatraz Swim - San Fran

[MarkyPhelps]

Hi All,
I'm new to this site, and new to swimming !!
I want to enter the Alcatraz swim in 2010, and would really appreciate any advice, tips, sites etc.
A year ago, I could not swim more than 6 lengths of a 25m pool, I've been going three times a week for the past year, and last month did my first mile unbroken.

All help most welcome

:joker:

[GettingFaster]

Where are you based? There are plenty of people who will be along shortly to give you the benefit of their own personal experience (not me, I don't do that open water long distance mad stuff ;) ) but it might be useful to know whereabouts in the country you are - or even which country! - so people can give you specific suggestions.

And welcome to swimclub, of course, I'm sure you'll have a blast. :wave:

[Leprechaun]

Welcome to the forum.

Have you researched this on Swim Trek's website?
Also the Times online covered at least once this year.
Its a bit of a flashy swim so the papers tend to run it everynow and again. Talk of cold waters, dangerous currents and sharks of course are all part of the myth......ish.

I havent done the swim but many people have done it without having to be great OW swimmers nor shark-wrestlers, but but need to be able to do a couple of miles in 14-15C strongly and comfortably. For GF's benefit, its not a long swim by anymeans, a mile and a bit.

I think you may be able to contact the American "guide" swimtrek use, but why not just call them at their offices (They are in Brighton) and talk to one of the chaps.

[adamlelean]

Welcome to the forum.

I've done this swim, when I was there for the world masters. No I'm not a fantastic swimmer, just average. When I did it I seem to remember it was around 17C no idea what that is in Fahrenheit.

Assuming you swim mostly in a pool join a club, many have a masters (adult) section.
If you live anywhere near San Francisco there is a club that regularly swims to the island and back again, I would imagine they would be very helpful.

The problem with the Alcatraz swim is the current. Unless you swim at the right time there is a lot of water trying to get into or out of the bay via a very narrow gap. Since this problem is taken away from you by the organisers there shouldn't be any great problem.

Get to the point where you are comfortable swimming 3 miles in a pool non-stop and the Alcatraz swim should be well within your grasp.

[mpfmark]

get hold of Gary Emich..he is really onside, he swims it most days! he is on twitter if all else fails..pm me if you need his email address

[mpfmark]

http://www.lanelinestoshorelines.com/

there you go

all the info you need re Alcatraz

good luck

[MarkyPhelps]

I am based in the UK, about an hour from Brighton on the south coast.
I work for a UK airline, so the trip to San Fran is one of our scheduled flights.

Ref swimming, as I said I swim about 3 times a week.
My times currently for 64 lengths of a 25m pool is around 36 minutes, so not quick!

I am a bit nervous about joining a swimming club, as I only started swimming a year ago - sounds a bit daunting!!

[Leprechaun]

I am based in the UK, about an hour from Brighton on the south coast.
I work for a UK airline, so the trip to San Fran is one of our scheduled flights.

Ref swimming, as I said I swim about 3 times a week.
My times currently for 64 lengths of a 25m pool is around 36 minutes, so not quick!

I am a bit nervous about joining a swimming club, as I only started swimming a year ago - sounds a bit daunting!!

36 minutes isnt that bad. If you can hold that pace in the sea then you wont have any problems.

Swimtrek's offices are in Brighton, so there are people to talk to. But you should take up Mpf's suggestion re Gary E. He's da man!