This is the swim the
Anglin Brothers and Frank Lee Morris
attempted in their successful escape from
Alcatraz
on the night of June 12, 1962. Who knows
where they are now? Bragging rights for all
finishers are free.
The
Alcatraz Sharkfest swim course may have a
notorious reputation, but we can assure you that
over the past 23 years, we've safely escorted
more than 12,500 swimmers along this course. The
biggest variable is the tides. Luckily, our race
director, Dave Horning, has swum the course 75
times and knows the San Francisco Bay tides
well.
We specifically plan the date of our Alcatraz
events around the tides. Alcatraz is only about
a mile from Aquatic Park as the crow flies. The
extra half-mile distance comes from the sloppy,
backwards C-shaped course we swim because of the
tides.
When the ferry drops you off on the east side of
the island, Aquatic Park (your target) will be
to your right. You will be given instructions
raceday morning on which buildings to spot off
of during the swim. These instructions are based
on a test swim conducted the day before during
similar tidal conditions. These buildings will
likely be left of Aquatic Park. Mind these
instructions.
If you aim directly for Aquatic Park, the tide
will sweep you west past the entrance and a boat
will have to pick you up. If you aim too far
left, the worst that can happen is that you may
have swim slightly farther (with the current
behind you) until you reach the entrance. If you
aim too far right, you'll end up west of the
entrance, swimming in place against an
unbeatable current and trying get back. |
Every swimmer dreams of making the ULTIMATE
ESCAPE from the island prison in the middle
of the San Francisco Bay!
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Wetsuits are recommended.
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Water
temperature is approximately 60 to 62
degrees.
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Separate division for swimmers without
wetsuits.
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Sea kayaks to provide support during swim.
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Mandatory Athlete
Check-In will be held in the Senior
Center located on the first floor of the
Maritime Museum at Aquatic Park (times and
details relating to this check-in will be
e-mailed to paid participants and posted on
the event website approximately three weeks
prior to raceday).
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Following Athlete Check-In, Pre-Race
Announcements will be made in front of the
grandstands at Aquatic Park.
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After Pre-Race
Announcements, all athletes will parade
together to the ferry terminal.
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You will be given a
plastic bag to take on the ferry; use this
bag to stash your extra items (i.e.
warm-ups, shoes, etc.) before starting the
swim. Our volunteers will collect these bags
and return them to the finish at Aquatic
Park, where they will be sorted by race
number for pick-up.
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