Escape From Alcatraz: The Swim

The race director does a great job sending out newsletters about the March 3 event.  The first newsletter discussed the overall schedule of the event.  The second newsletter discusses the big item: The swim.  The picture below gives you an idea of how the swim is structured.

The main even area (transition, finish line, etc) is marked with the red ‘A’ on the map below.  Around 6:30am, the shuttle’s take racers from transition to Pier 3. This is where the boat takes us to The Rock. (see bottom right of picture).

“…board shuttle buses at Marina Green to take you to the Start Boat, the Hornblower's San Francisco Belle at Pier 3.  Here you will receive your timing chip at Pier 3 and board the boat.  Athletes will be organized on the boat by age group as determined by the Race Staff.”

Given the distance to Pier 3 and the amount of time before the race starts, it does appear we can bring a warm-up suit:

“You will have a numbered plastic bag given to you at packet pick-up that you will be able bring with you on the Sunday morning shuttle and will leave at Pier 3. This bag will contain any appropriate items you bring/wear that morning (i.e. light sweat suit and sandals) but do not want to take with you on the boat for the swim.”

It looks like we will be on the boat for 30+ minutes.   

“For the 'One Way' boat cruise out to the start of the race, you will bring/wear the items in which you will swim.  Depending upon the air temperature, don't put your wetsuit on too early as this will have you potentially overheated. You will have plenty of time to put the wetsuit on while on the boat. Booties are allowed during the swim and this year we highly recommend them; gloves are NOT allowed.  We also recommend bringing two pairs of goggles in case one pair unexpectedly breaks.  We suggest a personal swim cap (latex is best) IN ADDITION to the one you receive in your race packet; one swim cap is ok but two will give you a little more warmth.  You may opt to wear a neoprene cap (aka a 'squid lid') as it is going to be slightly colder in the water this year, however please note that the chin strap restricts breathing and any time you cover the ears you lose 30% of your balance and you have a tendency to lose the 'feel' of the water.”

It appears that racers were nervous about jumping from the boat.  I can promise you that jumping off the boat will not make me nervous. 

“All athletes will start in order of age group or division as dictated by race staff and position on boat.  Past year's exodus off the California Belle has taken too much time; athletes were still hesitantly jumping 10 minutes after the start of the race. This is not a time to be mentally weak, BE READY TO JUMP!!”

“When you jump from the boat into the water, it is a huge shock to your system. Be prepared for the cold water (52 to 54 degrees)”

Now for the question I always get asked: Won’t the currents pull you out to sea?  The answer: yes. 

“The current on race morning will be pulling participants west (towards the Golden Gate Bridge).”

Here is some other great advice about the swim, although it does leave me with a question: WTF is a ‘Swirling Eddy’

Make sure you take the time to enjoy this experience of swimming from Alcatraz. Approximately five to ten minutes into the swim we suggest you roll on your back to make sure you are making some movement and not stuck in a swirling eddy current keeping you from leaving the Rock. This will also give you the quick opportunity to take in the moment and beautiful sights of Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline.

Here is something else that is kind of cool.  If you need a rest, you can without penalty.  Not only that, if you can’t finish the swim, you maybe picked up and brought to shore where you can finish the race without penalty (granted you swim time will put you on the bottom of the list).  This really shows you how unique this event is.  One thing I know for sure, I will finish the swim. 

“If you need help while swimming, there will be over 100 water craft in the Bay to assist you.  Should you simply need a minute or two to rest and re-orient yourself, you can hold on to the bow of a kayak, get settled, rest a minute and keep going as this will not DQ you.  If you need to be repositioned you will be put on a small boat and repositioned.  Listen to and abide by the aquatic personnel in the water craft, kayaks, Jet Skis and boats as they are there to assist you and keep you on course.  There is a one-hour cut-off time for the swim. Anyone not finished after 60 minutes will be picked up and assisted to shore where they will be allowed to finish the race without penalty.”

At swim exit, the RD is recommending we leave our wetsuit on for warmth. It is .5 mile run from swim exit to transition. Not only that, they are recommending we bring three pairs of race shoes: 1 pair left at Pier 3, one at swim exit for the run to T-area, and final pair used on the run.

“This is a "3 pairs of shoes" race, one pair will be left at Pier 3, one will be used for the short run from swim exit to Marina Green, and one will be needed for the 8-mile run. If you choose to use the same pair of shoes for the short swim exit run and the regular 8-mile run you will find on the second run that the shoes are heavy and waterlogged, not good news as you head for the Sand Ladder.)”