Congratulations to Heather Osborne! 

(Masters Swimming Champion)

Well known for it’s strong currents and chilly waters in the San Francisco Bay, swimming back from Alcatraz is not to be taken lightly.

Having successfully completed two long distance swims in both Sydney and Townsville during the winter months, I knew the currents of the Bay could be my only problem, missing the Aquatic Bay entrance would see me unexpectantly visiting the Golden Gate or Bay Bridges.

Arriving in San Francisco 3 days before the swim, I introduced myself to members of the Dolphin Swimming Club members, (a non-profit club whose clubrooms open out onto the Bay), the bay is only open to rowing boats and swimmers and I soon found myself out enjoying the freshness of the morning waters. By 7.30am I had completed a 3km circuit that included checking out Alcatraz from the Bay entrance, and where Ghirardelli was so I could get a hot chocolate and some felling back into the body.

Over the next couple of days I spent time swimming in the Bay, enjoying the sights of San Fran and training at the Golden Gate Swimming and Tennis Club. I became known as the Kiwi girl who had travelled 15 hours by plane to swim in freezing cold waters for 2.2km. I gave up trying to explain where New Zealand was.

Saturday morning arrived - this was it. The crowd started to gather, many swimmers donned wetsuits and neoprene headwear, then there was that small group which included me, in just togs and a couple of swim caps.  We were classed in the skins section, (no not naked section!).

After the official briefing we were bagpipe down to the waiting ferry, three blocks away, and us in only our bear essentials. Our trip on the ferry was about 30 minutes, just stopping short of the Island.  The sea by this time had started to chop up but there was no turning back. The ferry doors opened, timing chips activated, and out we jumped 3 at a time into the Bay, and we were off.  I had no time to think of the water temperature or the worsening water currents. (I was glad I wasn’t wearing a wetsuit though). I made good sightings on the way above the chop and was pleased to enter the Bay safely.

After the swim, a huge breakfast was laid on, hot and big American sized, stories from people who missed the opening and of course the usual prize giving.  I was more than happy with my T-shirt, beanie and having finished, so was blown away to find I had finished second placed women overall and received a lovely wooden trophy. What a way to finish my 20th year of ocean swimming.

In all, a total of 472 finished the swim that morning; all with the proud knowledge that we escaped from Alcatraz.

My special thanks go to Simon (pool) and my personal trainer, Mark Woodgate (Bay Bodyfit Health & Fitness Centre) for taking me way out of my training comfort zones and to the Staff and swimmers at Greerton Pool who showed so much interest, and where was I headed next.

Happy Swimming

Regards 

Heather Osborne