I heard a short spot on the news the other day about an unusual number of stinging jellyfish in the bay recently.
Does anyone know if there have been any issues with swimmers at Aquatic Park getting stung this week? I have an OW swim planned for the weekend and don’t want to risk a sting right before Wildflower.
Who has the 411 on this?
Thanks,
Dave
People swam there (AP) over the weekend with no problem.
clm
Dave:
You should call over to the Dolphin Club and/or South End Rowing Club. If anyone has the scoop on the jellys, it is them.
JB
I swam Golden Gate to Aquatic Park a couple weeks ago and didn’t see a single jellyfish.
We swam out in Marin (McNears Beach in San Rafael actually) last October and there were several washed up on shore but I didn’t hear of anyone actually getting stung out on course.
I’m not sure if it’s a water warmth issue or a location issue.
I swam Sunday morning in AP with no problem. There were plenty of people in the water and i don’t think anyone reported jelly’s. (that i am aware of)
Hello:
Slightly off from the question of Jelly fish, but is this where the Escape from Alcatraz swim takes place (or close by)? I live on the right coast and have never been to SF. I will be staying at the Fishermans Wharf Hilton for three days before the event and would like to get in some practice swims before jumping ship (or passenger ferry, as the case may be). What’s the scoop with getting into the water (is it allowed?, are there local clubs that would be of some value to a visting triathlete? Besides being cold, what sort of sea critters are a potential problem, i.e. jellyfish? Thanks, Tim
Besides being cold, what sort of sea critters are a potential problem
I believe there are Great White Sharks that swim there, but they are harmless… Just stay in a pack 
Yes, you can swim in Aquatic Park. Good to do laps around the inside of the enclosure. The second you go outside the sea wall, - you are subject to, or can be subject to, intense waves that will push you around quite a bit. The bay is not at all like being inside the enclosure of Aquatic Park.
Everyone usually starts by the Dolphin club, - loops around the buoys close to shore, swims out along the Pier and then the seawall and back.
Pedro is one of the few people who has carte-blanche to go anywhere he wants to in the bay, either by kayak, helping swimmers, or accompanying them on a swim. He makes sure that he knows the tides, and he never swims on the “other” side of Alcatraz where the big boats go. It’s best to stay inside the seawall, as many fishing boats come along the outside but close to the seawall to avoid the stronger currents and such in the middle of the bay; this is usually the mid to late afternoon, - so don’t worry about the morning.
Do not EVER try to swim out to Alcatraz on your own. You risk great harm.
There was a medium sized harbor seal that was asserting territory last year near the far west buoy near the pier, - but he is long gone. I’d be quite surprised to see any jellyfish getting into Aquatic Park in any significant numbers, and if you have a wetsuit, - which I don’t, - it’s probably not going to be an issue anyway.
As far as EFA, - you start near the island and swim to the bleachers inside Aquatic Park. Often the tide is going out, - so you have to aim yourself east of the Ghirardelli sign and you’ll be pulled in through the somewhat small hole, right the first time.
Good advice Toenail…I did a practice swim there last year prior to the race. Being also right-coast, it was great to be able to jump in the water and get a feel for the temperature. There were about 200 triathletes there the morning before so you wont be alone.
Thanks for the advice, I am looking foward to doing EFA. Tim
It’s not just the bay proper too.
Some friends in the Silicon Valley Tri Club swim pretty regularly in the lagoons at Redwood Shores. Apparently, there were quite a few jellyfish in the lagoon as well.
Yeah, of course, the lagoon is connected to the bay, but i just point this out that it’s pretty wide spread.