Open Water Swimming Events

Nothing in the world

Is more gentle than the water

Yet nothing is stronger.

Water nurtures life

Yet cuts through solid rock

Overcome obstacles

With the strength of gentleness. Tao 78

This page is no longer being updated; please disregard dates. For current information, click to the race sites web page.

Spring Lake Open Water Swim

May 18. Spring Lake, Santa Rosa. (707) 528-4718.

Lake Berryesea 1&2 M Swim

June 1, (916) 801-7738.

Lake Sonoma 2 Mile

July 6. Jim McCray, (707) 528-4718.

Alcatraz Challenge

July 8. Swim from Alcatraz to Crissy Field with a run across the Golden Gate Bridge. SFBSA. Gary Emich, (650) 359-3773.

Russian River Open Water Swim

July 8. Jim McCray, (707) 528-4718.

Del Valle Aqua Challenge 1/2 MILE , 1 MILE, AND 2 MILE.

July 27.

Catfish Open Water Swim II 1.2M/2.4M

July 21. Lexington Reservoir, Los Gatos. (408) 866-8848. JA Productions has always received high marks from the TRS-DRS list and RST for their races and organization. This swim is a good reality check for those going to IMC. Some people rode their bikes to the Lexington Reservoir, and many would run the trail afterwards to one of my favorite small towns, Los Gatos. I talked to some old friends and enjoyed sitting in the hot sun and watching the 1.2-mile swimmers start. I could tell from eyeballing the course, that it
had to be short. I have swum three IM swim courses and it looked to me that between two loops, it could be as much as a 1/4-mile shy. The water was not crystal clear, a bit murky, but indeed flat, as promised. At 76 degrees, it was almost 20 degrees warmer than most of my Bay Area swims!

Minimizing my swimming ability, I always seed myself near the back, and regret it soon afterwards. Within 25 yards I had to maneuver my way through a logjam of neoprene. I was right in the middle of a thick pack, so I couldn't easily get to the less congested sides. After a few slaps on my arms and some desperate clawing on the back of my legs, I slithered over some suits, and was able to break free from the rassling match. This always reminds me of a scene in a nature show, when salmon are swimming upstream, or when blubbery walruses are trying to get up on the rocks and find some room to beach themselves. Of course, I would prefer to avoid the melee, but as long as it doesn't get too aggressive, it is just all part of an open water swim.

The first half of the loop was spent getting a comfortable position. Most
of the swimmers I tried to draft off of were too slow. The ones who I wanted
to stick with were too fast. Several times I got out of the draft because I
couldn't latch on to a swimmer that was just right. There were still some
short course swimmers to stay clear of, they were slower or doing the
breaststroke. When I was closing in on the first loop, I was sure that
this was not a full 1.2 miles, it just felt too easy. I hadn't even needed to
mentally push myself by thinking I was halfway. I looked at my watch and
saw 32 minutes. Ha! In a pool with push-offs I can barely do a mile in 32. I
was glad I signed up for the long course, I felt good, warmed up, had reasonably good form, and wanted to continue.

On the second loop the swimmers had thinned out, and I was able to get
some good pulls from a couple of swimmers. Prior to the turnaround, I started
getting a headache, a problem that has been bothering me for the past
year. Not wanting to develop a migraine, I went a little easier and concentrated
on how relaxing the water felt; even at this temperature, my head remained
cool. I just needed to hang on for another 1/8 of a mile. However, if I
waited too long, I would be in pain for the rest of the day. I needed to
get my goggles off to relieve the pressure, and take one or all of my quick
fixes I rely on in race situations. I found a swimmer whose pace would
bring me in, and although I felt bad to tap him so many times, I needed
the push. I didn't get a chance to say I was sorry, when I got out of the
water, a volunteer handed me a bottle of water, which I drank immediately. I
had to leave my prescription goggles on to find my way over the rocks to my
bag. Seconds after getting the goggles off and eating a few grapes to
get some sugar in my blood, I felt fine.

My time was 1:08, which is impossible for me for 2.4 miles. My best time
was 1:15 in a pool, and my IM times have been, 1:19 (IMC), 1:18 (IM LP),
and 1:21 (IM LZ). Post race there was plenty of good food, a portable rock-climbing wall,
and live music. At the awards ceremony I saw local triathletes Holly Nybo and
Peter Cain that I haven't seen in the last year or two since I have been
doing out of town events. This was a well organized and fun swim, if you
get a chance, be sure to fit it in your racing schedule. If you can get someone to drop and pick you up at the Reservoir, you can save yourself a long wait for the bus to Los Gatos. There is no parking at the race start.

Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim 1.5M

San Francisco. Limited entries. Swim from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park. Part of Great Escape Series. EnviroSports, PO Box 1040, Stinson Beach 94970; www.envirosports.com; Limited - PRE REG ONLY! 415/868-1829; fax-2611

Definitely a "must do" race. This is not the most difficult swim you will do, but it may be one of the most rewarding. Whenever you drive over the Bay Bridge, you will be reminded of this accomplishment. Most people are absolutely amazed that a person can make a successful escape from Alcatraz Island.

The fun starts on the ferryboat ride to the island. The adrenaline is high, it is almost as if you are all on a commando raid together. Escort boats support the race and sea kayaks. The race facilitator will tell you the landmark to swim towards. It may be the Transamerica Building, or the Marine Memorial, depending on the tide. A terrific swim can turn brutal by spending several minutes expending an enormous amount of energy trying to get out of a swell near the Municipal Pier. If your sighting is good, and you do not get caught up in a swell, you will have a smooth finish to Aquatic Park.

Tips:

Train at Aquatic Park as much as you can, this will familiarize you with the area and water temperature. If you are an experienced swimmer, try China Beach. For the best preparation, swim the pilings at Coyote Point Recreational Area. Beware of heavy winds, fierce whitecaps, and rocks on the beach. Excellent place to practice bilateral breathing, the return trip is rougher, making right-sided breathing very difficult. Do not swim here alone!

If you are just breaking in a wetsuit, wear a rash guard or spray your neck and underarms with cooking spray-do not use Vaseline. There is a commercial product available called Body Glide that is safe to use on your wetsuit.

If you have trouble seeing without glasses or contacts, invest in a pair of prescription goggles. The ability to see clearly does wonders for your confidence. Barracuda non-suction prescription goggles are great. (800) 547-8664.

Santa Cruz Pier 1 M

August 3. (831) 420-6015.

The Cruz Cruise 2M

August 4, Santa Cruz Pier, out and back course. Scott Patterson, (831) 426-1043.

The Pier to Pier 10K

August 4, Capitola Beach, east of the wharf. Joel Wilson, (831) 425-5762.

Manatee Masters 2 x 1M Open Water Relay

July 28, Livermore. August 18. Vincent Pon, (510) 287-0792.

Shadow Cliffs .5 and 1.5M

September 15. Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, Pleasanton. Suzanne Van Cleve, (925) 463-2146.

Delta open water Swim 1/2 MILE AND 1 MILE AND 2 MILE.

Sept. 29. Bethel Island.

RAMS Folsom Lake 1 and 2M

September 21. Nancy Kelley, (916) 624-0715.

RCP Tiburon Mile

October 27. One nautical mile swim from San Francisco Bay's Angel Island to the shore of Downtown Tiburon. Benefits the Special Olympics. $30,000 in cash and Prizes! (415) 721-9990.

Additional Resources:

Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club: Open water swimming (sans wetsuit) at Aquatic Park.

Long Distance Swimming Calendar

Oceanswims: The site for ocean and open water swimming.

South End Rowing Club: Open water swimming and events club at Aquatic Park.

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