I have read in an article that somebody provided a link for that the alcatraz swim should not be straight. (http://ggtc.org/alcatraz_intro.php
) It sounds like there is some sort of current (forgive my ignorance since I will be new to ocean swimming this weekend) that it is best to get into. My understanding of the article is that I should swim pretty much towards shore and then catch the current along the coast and then jump out of the current as I approach the finish. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have packed the bike and am ready to head out for the race. By the way: I packed the TT bike (Softrice rocket). Many said I should pack the road bike but my rocket climbs so well, I have really nice wheels, and I can handle it just fine going fast downhill. Anyways I am psyched. Give me rough water so this old swimmer will have a chance.
Forget everything you’ve read. LISTEN to them on the boat as they will have done a number of test swims in similar tide conditions and will tell you the best markers to sight on. And yes, there will be some sort of current.
Lastly, bring warm clothes for the days/nights and anytime you aren’t racing.
clm
Temps this morning–COLD! I could see my breath when running.
Here is the email from Pedro, the Alcatraz guru, after last night’s swim. They will be doing a final test swim tomorrow morning.
clm
ROUGH It was windy and rough surface. Two things to learn when swimming in the Bay and two things to always remember when swimming in these waters.****
1.- Currents and Tides never wait for swimmers. They are impredictable. And most important, take them seriously for your navigational purpose. Use them to your advantage. Last night the jump in the water was too late and the Flood came in an hour ahead than predicted.****
2.- Never fight the currents. Plan 2 was just to keep swimming to next beach. It would have been only a longer walk than a much longer swim figthing the Flood currents.****
Two good things learned from this swim:****
1. You all practiced safety first by sticking to your swimming partners, even though you all were in a very safe zone. The next beach Coghlan beach it whould have been the ideal place to land last night, instead of fighting the currents.****
2. All of you doing the Escape from Alcatraz, passed the test. It is never like this in the mornings ( 99% of time, not guaranteed for Sunday it could be a 1%- Mother nature) and you would not have to fight any currents. So just remember the landmarks and remember to walk down there to recognize those landmarks.****
Tomorrow Saturday after the Test Swim and after the Mandatory briefings by Joe Oakes and Gary Emich, swim directors of the event, I would be more than glad to walk with you all to the top of Aquatic Park -Fort Mason Hill to the visualize landmarks and route recommended from my own experience from the test swim early tomorrow Saturday.
Be sure to attend one of the race talks on Saturday. Pedro Ordenes will give a description of how best to navigate the course based on the predicted conditions race morning. They may tell you something on the boat, but for me it doesn’t always sink in due to pre-race tension, etc.
