Just Add Water

Woman dies in Alcatraz swim race

I was shocked and saddened to hear this afternoon that a 51 year-old woman out of Houston Texas died this morning while swimming from Alcatraz. While the cause is unknown, it is a reminder that the sport and thrills we love are done at our own risk.

I've been a race participant and I've worked a number of races.  From the race management side, it is always safety, safety, safety.  From kayakers, pilots, radio contacts, chip-rippers and all - you are thinking about safety.    I've been a race participant in the Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon in years past and I've also volunteered and worked the event.  On the water working the event you are constantly counting the heads of swimmers and looking for anyone with a hand-up who needs help and watching out for a swimmer who might be having a tough go of it.  I'm sure today's race was no different.

For swimmers, it is knowing your limits, knowing when to raise your hand for help and staying safe.  (Please note that I am saying this in general and in no way implying that the swimmer was not prepared... I know nothing about her training, health or swim abilities).

My thoughts go out to the victim's family.  I'm sure when she left to do the event she was eager to return with a triumphant story to tell.  I'm also thinking about the race directors and volunteers.  It's everyone's worst nightmare to lose a participant, no matter what the cause.

Santa Cruz Masters Rough Water, Pier to Pier in LA

It was a busy weekend for the rough water world!  The Santa Cruz Masters held their 1-mile Rough Water Swim on Saturday and Cruz Cruise Two Mile Swim on Sunday.  A huge congrats to Jim Knight from the South End Rowing Club who broke the 20-minute mark for the 1-mile.  (Jim, if I can be half your speed when I'm in my fifties I'll squeal with delight).  Brenda, another SERC member drove down this morning and hit the 2-mile with a vengence coming in at 1:02, besting her previous time by over 15 minutes.  I should mention that Jim and Brenda did a DUO of both the Manhattan Swim and the Trans Tahoe this year!  Brenda is leaving for the English Channel in a week for a 6-person relay.  I, am a sloth.

Down south, Pier to Pier took place and a hearty congrats goes out to Tony Austin who blogged about his 52 minute finish.  Go Tony!

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Alcatraz #82 - I am not your swim mistress

You know it's going to be an interesting day when the first email you read begins with "Meet me in the city for a good time - jump at at 2". 

Now, to those tawdry minds out there thinking I'm off having an affair in the afternoon I'm sorry to disappoint you.  No, this is a late lunch with friends that happens to consist of non-standard lunch attire and a tad more sodium than your doctor would normally permit. 

With eight hours of work packed in and in dire need of a break I headed into the city for a quick dip.  Part of me was wondering if I really wanted to do this.  I started back at the gym this morning for core and strength training and my body was telling me "pain, pain, pain" getting up and down the staircase.  Mind over matter and just keep moving.

A word to the wise  - there's a reason Alcatraz swims and races take place in the morning.  The water is always smoother than the wind-kickin' chop of the afternoon.  It was gorgeous today - blue sky, sunny, warm (for San Francisco) wind.  It also happened that we were jumping off the east end of the island on a 3.5 max flood. 

I started out smooth and strong and then hit the washing machine.  The result of the afternoon wind and max rushing around the island makes for a washing machine effect 200 yards off the island and it's a reminder that Alcatraz isn't for everyone, especially in the afternoon.  It's rough, tough and puts the fear into you.  There were a good two minutes in there where my mind wasn't on my stroke, it was on getting air and getting out of the washing machine, whatever forward motion it took.

Once out of the washing machine the water seemed smoother even though compared to morning swims it was rough.  I breath bi-laterally, every third or fifth stroke.  Today, depending on which way the waves were hammering I had to breath on one side which makes me swim in a zig-zag pattern.  Breathing left for a large number of strokes will send me off to the Bay Bridge if I'm not careful!

Approaching San Francisco it was clear we would miss Pier 39 and 37 so shot for Pier 35.  A few tourist boats with people pointing and snapping photos later we touched Pier 35.  Total time - 38 minutes, 47 seconds.   

I climbed back into the zodiac for a bumpy ride back to the South End Rowing Club and grabbed my car keys for the drive home and back to work.

Between my morning workout at the gym and the swim, my pecs, lats and core are going to be sore tonight!