San Francisco Bay 10K Bridge-to-Bridge Swim 2010 July 11, 2010

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SF BAY 10K BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE SWIMTM ROUTE

Overview:
The San Francisco Bay 10K Bridge-to-Bridge Swim on Sunday, July 11, 2010 is a 10K swim competition (approximately 6.2 miles) limited to 45 elite swimmers.  Competitors will begin the race at the Golden Gate Bridge (between the north and south tower) and finish at the San Francisco Bay Bridge (near Alpha Tower closest to San Francisco). We anticipate that there will be a 4.4 knot flood tide (west to east) during the race.  Only swimmers with extensive open water experience should register. The race is organized and run by the non-profit, SFBay10K Bridge to Bridge Swim.
There will be two divisions, non-wetsuit and wetsuit.  Estimated race time ranges from 1 hour, 20 minutes to 2 hours, 15 minutes.  Water temperatures during this time of year are typically 55-61 degrees. The race jump time will start between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Swimmers and spectators will board support boats promptly at 7:30 a.m. from the Hyde Street Pier to swim start location. The race is being conducted with a US Coast Guard permit and insurance will be in place.
Bob Roper, a well-known open water swimmer and event coordinator, will be the race director.  He is a local expert and member of the South End Rowing Club.  Safety will be the priority.  There will be ample pilots, including kayakers and paddleboarders to support and guide the 45 participants during the swim.
If you would like to volunteer as a kayaker, paddleboarder, spotter or rower, please let me know as we would really appreciate your help. For inquiries and other questions, please send an email to the following address: [email protected]. 

Partcipant Cost: $225.00 per swimmer.

Registration Deadline: July 5, 2010. After participants register, there will be a waiver/release form that each swimmer needs to fill out and sign prior to the swim, without any alterations. No swimmer or pilot can participate without signing the waiver/release form. THERE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE NO REFUNDS.
Spectator Tickets: $30.00 per individual (sales end July 9, 2010).
Race Day Check-In and Pre-Briefing: A mandatory pre-swim briefing will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2010 from 6:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. at Capurro's at 498 Jefferson Street (doors open at 5:30 a.m.). At the briefing, Bob Roper, race director, will review and discuss the details of the course of the swim, including safety issues, landmarks, repositioning, pilots, water and current conditions and answer questions from swimmers. Each participant will turn-in a waiver/release form prior to, or at the pre-briefing and will receive a race number, swim cap and goodies. Participants and spectators will then walk a short distance to board the boats on Hyde Street Pier at 7:30 a.m. The boats will depart at 7:45 a.m. sharp. NOTE: IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BE ON TIME SO THAT YOU DON'T MISS THE BOAT!
Safety: Ensuring the safety of every swimmer is the top priority of this swim. The race director and pilots have extensive experience on the Bay and will be in charge of the race. If the race director or pilot orders you to be repositioned or brought on board a vessel, there will be no questions or challenges to those directions. The race organizers have obtained a permit for the swim from the US Coast Guard.
Waiver and Release of Liability: Bay swimming is inherently dangerous. Bay swimmers have been injured and killed. Sea lions and other marine mammals have been known to attack swimmers on rare occasions. Bay currents, often more powerful than the strongest swimmer, are unpredictable and have swept swimmers off course. Boat traffic is also an inherent danger on the Bay. Each participant will turn-in a release/waiver form prior to or at the pre-briefing.The swim is being organized and run by the non-profit, SF Bay 10K Bridge to Bridge Swim.
Cancellation:  In the event of a race cancellation due to conditions beyond the control of the organizers, including but not limited to a storm, rain, dense fog, inclement seas or weather, winds, "Acts of God," "Acts of Terrorism," Coast Guard decrees, or other conditions, the swimmer's entry fee shall be non-refundable.

Rules: In order to participate, each swimmer and pilot has to fill out a waiver/release form prior to the swim. During the swim, if the race director or pilot determines the swimmer is unable to continue and orders the swimmer to be picked up, the swimmer must do so without question. If a swimmer requests to be repositioned during the swim, he or she will be repositioned.
Parking: On the day of the swim, parking is available (but limited) on Van Ness Ave. and on Jefferson Street.
Post-Swim Brunch and Awards: There will be a buffet brunch following the swim at Capurro's on 498 Jefferson Street. The cost of the brunch is at the swimmer's expense and is not included in the price of the participants ticket. Awards will be handed out at the brunch.
2010 Race Results and Photos: Names, times and photos of the swimmers will be posted on the following website one week after the swim: www.sfbay10k.com. Web links for purchasing photos will be provided at the following photo link.

FAQs:
Will I have a pilot to help guide me on the race course?
Yes, pilots in kayaks will help ensure support and guidance is provided for each participant. The swim will be adequately piloted and patrolled for swimmers safety.
Will pilots have water and energy goo for each swimmer?
Yes, each pilot is going to be equipped with water and energy goo so those swimmers who need hydration or an energy boost during the swim can obtain them.
What kind of danger is there on the Bay in terms of boat traffic?
The race director along with support boats will be in constant contact with the US Coast Guard throughout the entire race. The race will only begin after the US Coast Guard gives clearance to the race. There is a likelihood that there will be other boat traffic on the Bay during the swim. 
What kind of training should I do in order to prepare for this 10K swim?
At a minimum, participant should train as if they were going to swim at least 3 miles, or 90 minutes. Each swimmer should have a good deal of open water experience during the summer months. Each swimmer should train for several months in both open water and in swimming pools in order to build up endurance and strength for a successful and safe swim. Prior to the event, swim training acclimation should continue in Aquatic Park.
Can I use swim aids like fins or booties?

Yes, swim aids are allowed for participants, but those participants who use swim aids will be disqualified from winning the race.
Open Water Swimming Tips and Training Schedule:  See this link: Tips for Open Water Swimming and this one Gatorade Triathalon Training Series. Work out schedule - Now That You Can Swim A Mile Non-Stop.

SF Bay Swimming Background:

Is Bay swimming dangerous?
Yes. Boats are the most dangerous thing to watch for when swimming outside of the Aquatic Park cove. Hypothermia can be lethal, so you must learn and respect your limits in the cold water. Sea lions have been known to bite, but this is rare.
How clean is the water?
Runoff after a heavy rain can contaminate the Bay water. Generally, though, the water is clean enough to swim in every day. The salty taste, lack of clarity due to algae and other marine life, and ocean smell may be off-putting to some. These aspects aren’t “dirty”, and you will get used to it the way you got used to the chlorine. Check this link for current water quality.
What are the signs of hypothermia?
Cold, shivering, mental confusion, “high” like a SCUBA “narc”, suddenly feeling warm and that you could go on forever. Sometimes there are signals once you are out of the water that indicate you have gone beyond your limits. Dizziness, nausea, itchy or blotchy skin, physical weakness, mental confusion.
What should I do if I feel hypothermic?
If you feel any of the above signs during a swim, get out immediately. If you are not close to shore, tell your pilot to watch you carefully or get in the Zodiac and wrap up in blankets. Warm up SLOWLY in the shower before going into the sauna. Have someone test the water temperature for you (I test the shower to feel lukewarm on my skin, but relatively cold on my head since hair and/or thermal cap act as insulation).
WWW Tide and Current Predictor:  (click here)

SFBAY 10K Bridge-to-Bridge 2009 Photo Gallery

Spirited Swimmers

Swimming with the Tide
 

Saying Farewell to the Bridge Tower

Cruising the Golden Gate Bridge
 
 



Organized by Bob Roper, race director
The patron saint of the South End Rowing Club, "Napa Bob" is acknowledged as one of the true giants of open-water swimming over the past 40 years. In 1969, Bob crossed the Golden Gate in 17 minutes, 21 seconds, a record that stands to this day.
For technical questions about the swim, please contact Bob Roper at 415-424-3319.
Bob Roper organizes the Roper Invitational http://www.goldengateswim.com, which offers swimmers the chance to cross the Golden Gate under spectacular conditions, to meet fellow athletes from around the country, and to support good causes while doing it. In 2006, Bob held the first Roper Invitational with the goal of creating one of the premier open-water events of its kind.
 

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Ticket Info:  

• Participant, $231.62
• Spectator, $31.74

Official Website: http://sfbay10k2010-upcoming.eventbrite.com