Alcatraz

heleng

In October JB and I will be in California, and as part of our trip we would like to go and swim Alcatraz. I have googled various companies that offer private swims, but I am not sure what the going rate is for this swim. Can anyone recommend a good escort or advise how much we might be expecting to pay?
...I am assuming it is not a swim you can just go and do without some kind of boat support given the currents and boat traffic...?

evmo

Gary Emich (Lane Lines to Shore Lines) is a good, reliable option. I hear swim-art is also good. @suziedods has been in the area much longer than I have, she may have other ideas.

Private swims are expensive. Really expensive for a 1.25-mile swim. So expensive that if you think you might want to do any more Bay swimming in the future, it may be more cost-effective to just join one of the clubs (South End or Dolphin Club).

Don't try to go out and do it without boat support. Just don't. It's a major shipping channel.

david_barra

evmo wrote:

Private swims are expensive.

I’ve done swims with Gary and Swimart (Leslie).... both are great.
Take a few friends along and split the cost, or do an out and back, or GG to Aquatic Park, or....

suziedods

What Dave B said. Happy to chat.. suziedods@hotmail.com is best. And @evmo is right. DON'T just go.. and DON'T take the ferry to the island and think you can swim back. ( yes, yes yes it's been tried) IXNAY. And do stop by the venerable South End and Dolphin Clubs. You'll have swim club envy.

heart

There are several variations on the Alcatraz theme. You can swim from there to Aquatic Park, to St. Francis, and to Angel Island - different outfits organize several swims every season. Also, you're in luck; the silver lining of our terrible drought is that the water is uncharacteristically warm.

heleng

Thank you all for your responses, we are signed up for a swim with Gary and very much looking forward to it.
@suziedods, @jbetley and I will try to stop by the South End and Dolphin Clubs whilst we are up there too - would be great to put some faces to names :-)

heleng

@jbetley and I are in San Francisco for a couple of days and would love to call in at the South End / Dolphin swim clubs on Sunday (if guests are allowed). Can anyone eg @suziedods let us know what time they swim there or what time there are open?

mpfmark

jealous grrrr

Sharko

heleng...
A group of South Enders ususally connect in the day room at about 7 on week-ends...I will likely be down for a swim...

Jbetley

Thanks guys! Helen and I will be meeting Ranie at 9 AM tomorrow. Very civilised hour for people who have been out sampling the culinary delights of SF this evening!!!