Escape from Alcatraz 'Sharkfest' swim volunteeringFor the past few years the De Anza College Outdoor Club and De Anza trained lifeguards have volunteered at the 'Alcatraz Sharkfest' mile and a half + swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco and occasionally at the triathlon with that swim. They need people (lifeguards or not) in kayaks to help the off-course or cold swimmers.
Previous kayaking experience required, like our spring break Monterey trip. For the date and price of the next De Anza College Outdoor Club kayak day trip go to:
Outdoor Club Coming Attractions
and read details at: Monterey ocean kayak day trip.
In 2008 the Escape from Alcatraz 'Sharkfest' race is set for Saturday, June 28. We'll need to be there at 6:45 a.m. or earlier. (The Alcatri triathlon that starts with a Alcatraz to Aquatic Park swim will be Sunday, August 24.)
You can help as a volunteer on shore, but they need people, especially certified lifeguards, to help out in kayaks on the water.
The swimmers ride to Alcatraz on two ferries, and jump into the bay. The kayak escorts paddle themselves out. The direct route of the swim would be about 1 1/2 miles and the race is set to start when the current is pushing the swimmers in towards the shore. But the route many slower people swim is closer to 2 miles because the changing current catches them and heads them out towards the Golden Gate Bridge.
below: kayakers applaud and cheer the arrival of the ferries
Once the swim starts the kayakers have a better view than the swimmers of the city sights. In one direction is the Golden Gate Bridge, in another the Bay Bridge, and we've spotted the Palace of Fine Arts along the city skyline. Also spotted a seal, but no sharks. In 2000 all this was in sunshine, in 2001 and 2002 it was cloudy with occasional swells we couldn't see swimmers over. The swimmers sometimes were swimming uphill up the face of some swells.
Slower swimmers or those caught too far out by the current are given a lift on a Zodiac or boat to the finish if they are too hypothermic, or just a short ride to the entrance to Aquatic Park (the finish) where they can complete the swim. About 90% wear wetsuits and can still get hypothermic.
The letter to participants stresses that it is not a race for novices, and said "if your time for a mile in the pool is slower than 40 minutes, we do not recommend you attempt this swim."
From an experienced volunteer's point of view, this race is a class act. The Outdoor Club and De Anza College lifeguard training graduates have worked many triathlons and open water swims. When this race ran out of volunteer t-shirts in 2000, they made up more for us and mailed them, something previous races we've volunteered for never would have done. There's a medical crew on site. When there were extra volunteers ready to go out on the water in 2000 the race brought in extra kayaks.
The club is giving some information about what gear to bring or wear for possible lifeguard kayaking, but you must read and follow any information mailed to you by the event sponsors. Most years they have many loaner wetsuits for volunteers in kayaks, but you'd be more sure of one if you borrowed one in advance. They DO NOT recommend being out in a kayak without a wetsuit! A hat with a brim is a good idea, as well as croakies or other eyewear retainers for your sunglasses. We would like to note that the water is quite cold, (60-62 degrees, with some cold spots) and a spare swim cap on your person could be put on if you get wet and cold. A whistle, pocket mask and latex gloves could be useful.
The club always recommends sunscreen for all its events, a bottle of water and a good breakfast to start your day.
A change of clothes for after is also a good idea, and a towel to use after you rinse off the bay water, using warm water you brought in bottles in your car (no showers at the site). Leave valuables in the car as there is no safe place to leave things.
You may have to pay for parking, and you may wish you had a camera (waterproof?).
The club, through the P.E. Division, may make available rescue tubes for lifeguards to borrow, which they
agree to return in same condition or replace at full retail replacement cost ($80). The club could also loan out dry bags if we have our act together. Don't leave gear out unattended - stuff has been stolen previously when people left it sitting in a kayak and went sightseeing.
You'll get a volunteer t-shirt after the race.
below: lifeguard Minh Nguyen assists a swimmer at the very beginning of the race as a race boat pulls nearby
RETHINK volunteering for kayaking if you do not have sufficient
experience and strength to paddle 4 to 5 miles, some of it against a current or in swells. When we have other club kayaking events we stay in small groups and watch out for each other. This will not be the case during this race. You may be some distance from other volunteers. Volunteers will be watching out for swimmers, not for each other. If you fall out of your kayak you might have to get back in by yourself. (Yes, this has happened each year to someone.)
Do not volunteer to help in a kayak unless you completely intend to be there. The race director has to get you a kayak, and it's not acceptable to say you'll be there, then sleep in or change your plans at the last minute because a friend came over, etc.
Fill your gas tank, pack your gear and put the breakfast snacks, pot-luck lunch food (?) and ice into an ice chest the evening before. Set three alarm clocks in different parts of the bedroom, or better yet, stay over at another volunteer's house so you can get each other up!
You should also read Tips for guarding open water swims
The Alcatri letter to the athletes is at:
http://www.envirosports.com/exec/enviro/pages/alcatrientletter.html
Group photos of De Anza volunteers at the race are at:
Alcatraz group photos
guarding the Sharkfest and Alcatri 2007, guarding the 2006 Alcatri triathlon and Sharkfest 2003 lifeguarding also have more pictures.
Thinking about swimming this race? Sign up in advance; the race size is limited. It fills two to four or even more months in advance.
below: a swimmer tied a helium balloon to himself for the swim
If you are a De Anza student and are going to swim this race, get in touch with us so we can all meet at the race.
The Sharkfest swim map is at:
http://www.envirosports.com/exec/enviro/maps/sharkswimmap.gif
FAQs are at:
http://envirosports.com/exec/enviro/faq/sf_faq.html
An aerial photo of the Golden Gate bridge, Alcatraz and the shoreline people swim to is at:
http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=14&Z=10&X=171&Y=1307&W=1&qs=%7cAlcatraz%7cCalifornia%7c
and you can zoom in:
http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=13&Z=10&X=344&Y=2615&W=1&qs=%7cAlcatraz%7cCalifornia%7c
Details about other Outdoor Club events are at:
Outdoor Club Coming Attractions
Answers to most questions about how the De Anza Outdoor Club works are at: Outdoor Club Basic Info The main rules common to most of our trips, including who is eligible to go, are at: Outdoor Club trip rules.
Below, two lifeguards in a kayak watch swimmers jump from a ferry. Can you spot the starting line forming, the line of swimmers in yellow race swim caps? To the right, the lead boat with big red buoys for the swimmers to try to sight on:
|
|
