How do I train to swim for Alcatraz?

Warm down. 12 X 25 yards / rest 5 seconds after each length.
2 pool swims. 45 minutes each (~2000 yards each)
Warmup. 50 yards easy swim / rest 30 seconds.
Warmup set. 4 X 50 yards descending speed (each 50 gets faster and faster) / 15 seconds rest after each 50 FOUR TIMES THROUGH.
Main set.
Warm down.
2 pool swims.

How hard is Alcatraz swim?

The Alcatraz swim is approximately two miles from Alcatraz Island to the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. Due to the added difficulty of swimming in the open water compared to pool swimming, you should be able to at least 2-2.5 miles in a pool.

Why is it so hard to swim from Alcatraz?

Swimming from Alcatraz Island Still, swimming from Alcatraz is no joke. Some of the key challenges include: Rough and choppy water. Cold water temperatures which can be 10 degrees or lower than in other parts of the East Bay.

Can you swim from Alcatraz to the mainland?

“Dad, dad, stay with me,” Riley cried, as she frantically oriented herself in the water. We were among a group of 10 swimmers braving the swirling waters and strong currents of the San Francisco Bay on a one-and-a-half mile (2.4km) open-water swim from the notorious Alcatraz Island to the mainland.

Will swimming reduce belly fat?

Swimming doesn’t preferentially burn belly fat, but if it’s something that you’ll do consistently because you enjoy it, then it will help you drop pounds all over, including you’re your belly.

Are there sharks near Golden Gate Bridge?

While great white sharks are occasionally seen near the Golden Gate Bridge, they rarely stray into the Bay’s main waters. Great whites are most abundant near the Farallon Islands, 35 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Is the Alcatraz swim course safe for swimmers?

The Alcatraz swim course may have a notorious reputation, but we can assure you that over the past 27 years, we’ve safely escorted more than 15,000 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.

What’s the temperature of the water at Alcatraz?

Water temperatures for Alcatraz swims are usually in the mid-50’s to mid-60’s. For comparison, pools used for competitive swimming are between 77 and 82 degrees (Fahrenheit). During our Berkeley swims, which begin at the Berkeley Marina, water temperatures can be as much as 10 degrees warmer than for the Alcatraz swims.

Is the Odyssey Alcatraz Swim your first open water swim?

The Odyssey Alcatraz Swim should not be your first open water swim. We recommend joining us on several weekly Berkeley swims to increase your comfort in the open water before signing up for Alcatraz. Berkeley swims are from .5-3 miles long and you can go as long or as short as you feel comfortable.

How long is the swim from Alcatraz to St Francis?