6-7-14

Me: Bob and I woke up early and met our friend John at Sharkfest. Once light out they got a look at Alcatraz. Seems like a long ways away to me & they're gonna swim from there?! :-)

John is from Phoenix and we talked him into signing up for this event. It's his first time. Bob and I have both swam from Alcatraz before when we did the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in 2005. I remember the water being very cold (53 degrees) with huge waves and a strong current.

I like this photo. Aquatic park bleachers in the background, Bob in the middle and John's mom taking a photo of him on the left.

Bob, John and all the swimmers getting ready.

The parade of wetsuits! 900 participants walked about 3/4 of a mile to the ferry. This was quite a sight at 7:30 in the morning along San Francisco Bay.

While the wet suit parade was going on, the safety patrol kayakers headed out to take their positions.

I walked out to the end of Aquatic Park pier to get a view of the start in the distance. This was my view from the pier towards Alcatraz.

This was my view from the pier towards Aquatic Park (the finish).

While waiting for the start some local swimming group went by (no wet suits either). Right about then the horn sounded and we knew the racers were off. You can barely make out the ferry boat just right of Alcatraz. As the racers got near I hustled off the pier and over to the finish line.

Here comes the first place guy being escorted by a paddle boarder.

First place goes to this guy…a 15 year old in a time of 30 minutes! WOW!

Soon after came 2nd place, then 3rd and a long line of swimmers spanning over the next hour. Right after I took this photo my phone died so I have no finishing photos (& I couldn't update Bob's family)…but Bob and John both finished! John came out of the water at 47 minutes. Nice job!! He looked good. Bob came out of the water with a time of 1hr & 7min. He did it but looked a little "green" once on shore. Bob had gotten sea sick 1/2 way through the swim from the big waves but he pushed through and made it despite wanting to vomit. Finishing is such a huge accomplishment and he did it with limited training. So proud of him!

Here is proof that John and Bob finished (and that Bob recovered to his normal color)! 

We did a little sight seeing including a stop at Ghirardelli Square. Fun colored sail boats.

Couldn't pass up clam chowder and crab cocktail at the Fishermen's Wharf!

A little nap at Aquatic Park on this beautiful day and then we were off to join Pat and Bob at the Model-T registration BBQ. We enjoyed time with them and their Model T friends! We made one more stop on the way home to see Bob's sister, husband and girls. Great to catch up (we'll see more of them tomorrow). Successful and fun day!