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WEEKLY SWIM WORKOUTS

SUNDAYS & THURSDAYS

These 1-hour workouts at Aquatic Park and Crissy Field are a great place to practice or transition to open water! Get your workout in, prepare for Alcatraz, or try swimming in the bay for the first time.
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Weekly Swims

If you can swim a mile in the pool, consider taking the plunge into open water! Our 1-hour weekly workouts are an opportunity to train, with coaches on hand. Let us help you prepare for an event or explore open water for the first time. Our members range from beginners to seasoned athletes who have swum from Alcatraz many times. We organize groups by skill and confidence level to ensure a tailored experience. Beginner-friendly routes start within Aquatic Park cove, and coaches are available to discuss your goals and offer personalized tips.

New to the group? We start off each session with a quick “hello” to a neighbor near you before pairing you with other first-timers. You’ll swim the buoy line with an onshore coach providing guidance, helping you find your comfort level and prepare for future sessions.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sundays year round and Thursdays in the spring and summer
  • Up to 1 mile workouts led by coaches and safety staff
  • 60 swimmers
  • Swims are at Aquatic Park cove, or Crissy Field East Beach
  • Staff will look after belongings but do not bring valuables
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CRISSY FIELD VS. AQUATIC PARK

While most of our sessions are at Aquatic Park, some sessions take place at Crissy Field. Both are beautiful, safe locations for a group workout. Here’s what you can expect at the two.

AQUATIC PARK

Aquatic Park is the finish line of many major races, including our Pedro Ordenes Memorial Alcatraz, with beautiful views of Ghirardelli Square, Alcatraz, a peep at the Golden Gate Bridge, and the historical ships parked in the cove. Aquatic Park is more protected from external bay conditions.

Swimmers meet at the bleachers and receive a briefing on the day’s routes from coaches. Beginners will swim the buoy line parallel to shore, while swimmers more familiar with the bay might have the option of longer routes across the cove – depending on the current and your comfort, you might even swim outside it!

1 & 2 mark parking meters on Jefferson St. and 4-hour free parking on Van Ness Ave, respectively. 3 is the bleachers, where we meet.

Orange is the buoy line route for beginners, light blue is the around line, yellow is the inside line, and pink is the outside line. Depending on conditions, coaches will instruct what is available to you at the beginning of the session.

CRISSY FIELD

Crissy Field is the finish line of many major triathlons, including the Escape from Alcatraz, and feature open and unobstructed full bay views of all the major landmarks and geographical features of the bay. Crissy Field is great practice location to swim along the beach and feel how the currents work.

Swimmers meet on the beach wall across from the bathrooms, and receive a briefing on the day’s routes from coaches. Beginners will swim close to shore, while swimmers more familiar with the bay might have the option of longer routes further along the shore and in the bay.

1 marks the picnic tables where we meet. There is plenty of free parking around Crissy field.

THE DETAILS

This is how it all starts.  We welcome all levels of swimmers to our weekly swim workouts.  Swims are located at Aquatic Park the first three Sundays of each month.  On the last Sunday of each month, mix it up and join us at Crissy Field.  No matter the location, you will get a good workout as you swim for approximately 45 minutes.  Conditions in the bay vary throughout the year.  We see our coldest temperatures in January and February (low 50s to high 40s) and our warmest temperatures in August and September (mid 60s).  Current, weather and wind conditions also change throughout the year.  We hope this adds to the excitement for you as you take on the open water.

Can’t get enough on Sundays?  Join us every Thursday evening starting mid-April through September for our evening swim sessions.  All of these swims take place at Aquatic Park.  It’s a great way to destress from the workweek and catch a Bay sunset on the doorstep of a weekend.

WHAT TO EXPECT

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, and course navigation. We will also talk about safe behaviors 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.  We typically divide our swimmers into three groups.  Beginners typically stay close to shore and swim with a coach.  Intermediate swimmers go out on their own but normally stay “inside the wall” when we are at Aquatic Park.  Advanced swimmers typically go outside of the wall and experience the open bay.

WHERE TO PARK & MEET

At Aquatic Park, free Parking is available on Beach Street behind the Maritime Museum or at the end of Van Ness Avenue. At Crissy Field, free parking is available in the parking lot at the East Beach.

At Aquatic Park, we meet at the bleachers. You will see us. When we are at Crissy Field, we meet meet on the beach wall in front of the surfer bathrooms at East Beach.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Suit or wetsuit
  • Warm/dry clothes for after the swim
  • Goggles
  • Neoprene cap (optional)
  • Small snack, water, and a warm beverage for recovery after the swim
  • Towel
  • Smile

We will supply  a latex cap to all swimmers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I just drop in to the swim?

No, you must register online in advance. This allows us to have an accurate headcount so we can plan to have enough coaches and staff on shore and in the water with you. Always register online!

What happens if it rains?

You’re going to be wet anyway, so we swim rain or shine! We’ll only cancel in the event of unsafe conditions and inclement weather. However, this is extremely rare, and years can go by without a weekly workout being cancelled.

When exactly do you swim?

From January to mid-December, we swim every Sunday at 10:00 am. From April through September, we swim every Thursday at 6:00 pm.

What time of year is the water warm?

We experience the warmest water temperatures August through October, and sometimes November too. You can expect highs of 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit. In the other months, you can expect temperatures throughout the 50s.

What do I need to bring to the swim?

Great question! Bring the following, but leave the valuables at home. We will provide you with a bright colored silicone swim cap.

  • Swimsuit or wetsuit While not required, most swimmers choose to wear a wetsuit. We welcome both skin and suit swimmers! Note that there are no changing rooms, so come at least partly prepared.

  • Goggles

  • Towel

  • Warm clothes, water, a snack, and a warm beverage for afterward

  • Earplugs (we recommend silicone putty earplugs, like Mack’s)

  • Thermal cap (optional)

Are there changing rooms or showers?

Nope! Come to your swim with at least a swimsuit on. That way you can put on or finish putting on your swimsuit when you arrive. You’ll have a hot shower waiting for you at home.

SIGN UP FOR A WORKOUT

Head to our calendar to join a session – don’t forget to fill a waiver!

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Weekly Swims | San Francisco Swim