6th Annual Alcatraz Classic for the Fastest

Jefferson St. and Jones St.
San Francisco, CA 94109

Swimming

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Event Description

Please review our refund and rollover policies before registering.

For the first time, Alcatraz is offered for swimmers that have crossed many times from Alcatraz to San Francisco or for the fast and experienced open water swimmer training to swim Alcatraz in style for the first time. This 3K swim is a favorite among the fastest Alcatraz veterans, and the speedy first timer who wants to test their swimming endurance. Limited to 100 swimmers, and medals will be given to all participants with a money purse for top racers. Be in it to win it!

Competitors will begin the race at Alcatraz Island and finish at the beach at the St. Francis Yacht Club. Swimmers are selected to participate based on previous experience, speed, and bravery. This race fills up fast!

This swim is not for novices. This event is for experienced open-water swimmers only. You should be able to swim one mile comfortably in a pool in under 40 minutes. If you need advice, support, and coaching for this swim, Water World Swim can help.

Please review our refund and rollover policies before registering.

Event details and schedule

ALL DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE! All participants will receive regular email updates in the weeks leading up to the event. The information in those emails will be more accurate and detailed than the original guidelines here.

BRING YOUR ID TO CHECK IN! YOU MUST BE PRESENT AT CHECK IN; YOU CANNOT HAVE SOMEONE CHECK IN FOR YOU.

PRE-RACE BRIEFING, MAY 27TH

We highly recommend that you attend the briefing on May 27 at Sports Basement. At the briefing, you will be informed about the water conditions, currents, and best swim strategy. You will also check in so you do not have to arrive at the rooster's call on race day :) You will receive your cap, tee, and other goodies as well as your body marking with your race number. Swimmers who attend the briefing always swim best!

As an added bonus, while you're at Sports Basement, they will offer a discount to all attending swimmers. Stock up on goggles, neoprene caps, and more!

  • Sports Basement in the Presidio  VIEW MAP
  • Time TBA

RACE DAY, MAY2 8TH

  • Meet at Fisherman's Wharf 6:35am
  • Boarding 7:10am
  • Jump 7:30am

RACE DAY PARKING

Parking will be available and shuttle service from St. Francis to Fisherman's Wharf TBA.

GUESTS

Boat passenger ticket availability will be announced via email to participants a month before the swim.

WHAT TO BRING

Don't bring large bags with you. You will be given a plastic bag to put things in with your number on it so that any warm hoodies or shoes you wear onto the ferry can be returned to you after you jump. Don't forget these essentials:

  • Your ID for check-in
  • Wetsuit or swimsuit
  • Towel and warm dry clothes for after the swim - hoodies, swim parka, beanie, sweatpants - all good!
  • Something hot to drink and a snack (we'll have Clif and granola bars)
  • Neoprene cap (you will be provided a silicone cap to wear over it)
  • Goggles
  • Earplugs - though Mack's Earplugs will be provided
  • Anti-chafing glide if you're in a wetsuit
  • Shoes - flip flops, Uggs, and other simple shoes are fine for after the swim and optionally for walking to the ferry

DON'T bring swim booties, flippers, snorkels, swim gloves/paddles, pool toys or other swim accessories and enhancers, jewelry/valuables, and the obvious weapons and alcohol! Please clean up after yourself and your guests - we'll have trash cans.

BATHROOMS, CHANGING, AND YOUR STUFF

Come to the event pretty much ready to go. If you're wearing a wetsuit, have it on up to the waist and something warm on top. If you're a skin, have warm clothing on top of our swimsuit - you will be getting a plastic bag with your number on it to put your things in before you jump. Either your passenger guests or a volunteer will safely transport it to the finish line where you can be reunited with your things.

There are no showers at St. Francis beach, so dry off, change in the shield of a towel, or rough it - just get warm and dry clothes on! You'll have all the time in the world to soak in a steamy tub in your hotel or home. For all other bathroom needs, there are publicly available bathrooms in the Argonaut Hotel on the corner by Aquatic Park, and a Starbucks on Beach and Hyde Streets with a bathroom.

PARTICIPANTS UNDER 18

If you are under 18, you or your parents will receive an email from our registration team regarding some details relating to minors.


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