This 3.6-mile double Alcatraz swim is a thrilling challenge for the strong, fast swimmers, requiring strategic planning to navigate tides and swift currents around Alcatraz. It’s also an ideal prep event for longer open-water endurance competitions.
Starting from St. Francis Beach, you’ll ride an exciting current before circling Alcatraz clockwise, facing the real test of maneuvering through currents back to Aquatic Park—a memorable challenge you won’t forget!
The Bay has humbled many a swimmer on this course. The distance (3.6 miles) and changing water conditions (flood to ebb) make this one of the most challenging swims we offer. This is a competitive event. Recreational swimming is discouraged for this event, we ask that you be responsible and properly train for an event this rigorous. If you are up for the challenge, the rewards are beyond imagination (maybe someone will buy you breakfast and listen to you brag a bit).
Upon arrival, we will check you in and assign you a participant number. Once all of our participants have arrived, there will be a short briefing containing instructions about the swim. The briefing will cover the swim start, water conditions, course navigation and landmarks to sight on. We will also talk about safe behaviors and cutoff times during the swim. The information at the briefing is very important so please pay attention. Our team of experienced kayakers can help direct you during the swim. If you cannot retain everything mentioned at the briefing, our team of kayakers can help direct you.
The start location and finish location are in two separate areas. Our team can shuttle a small bag of belongings from the start so that it is waiting for you at the finish. The beach at Aquatic Park is two miles from where you will start your swim at Saint Francis Beach. If you don’t want to take a 2-mile walk back to your car after your swim, bring a friend who will wait for you and drive you back (or home). Or make a friend in the morning and work out a shuttle system. Please plan accordingly as we will not be able to provide rides back to the start for 30 swimmers.
Free Parking is available in the parking lot at the Saint Francis Yacht Club (event start) and at the end of Van Ness Avenue (event finish).
We will meet at the lookout point on the beach side of the parking lot at the St. Francis Yacht Club.
We will supply a latex cap to all swimmers.
Participants under the age of 8 are not eligible to swim in this event. Participants under 12-years of age must complete an evaluation with a San Francisco Swim coach at a Sunday morning or Thursday evening swim. At the evaluation, it will be determined whether additional safety features are needed for the swimmer. These features may include a personal “swim angel” or personal kayaker during the swim event. For underage swimmers coming from outside of the area, a signed evaluation from their certified swim coach stating that they are capable of completing this swim (with or without close guidance) is acceptable. If the underage swimmer is not approved for the swim, the registration fee will be refunded.
Contact us with any questions about younger swimmers.
