SWIM AROUND
THE ROCK
Swim Around the Rock Logo

AUGUST 26, 2023 (SOLD OUT)

LIMITED ONLY TO EXPERIENCED OPEN WATER SWIMMERS · 3.6 MI (6KM) FROM ST. FRANCIS, AROUND ALCATRAZ, BACK TO AQUATIC PARK

Join us for this round trip Alcatraz swim! This swim is a great challenge for fast swimmers that requires a strategic race plan to swim the 3.6 mile course with tides and fast currents around Alcatraz. This is also an excellent event to help prepare for longer open water endurance competitions. Some of the best open water swimmers at the national level compete in Swim Around The Rock.

This swim starts off the beach of St. Francis, and you'll swim along a fast and exciting current. But as you make your way clockwise around Alcatraz, that's where the real challenge begins - you'll have to navigate not only around the prison, but through the currents as you make your way to Aquatic Park. A challenge you won't forget for sure!

This event is for experienced open water swimmers only. This swim will not only require swimming strength and open water experience, but expert ability in navigating a winning course with complex currents. This is easily our most difficult bay race, even more so than Bridge to Bridge 10K. If you need advice, support, and coaching for this swim, Water World Swim can help.

OUR 18TH ANNUAL EVENT: AUGUST 26, 2023

Join 30 swimmers in this 3.6 mile endurance race.
An epic out-and-back around this historic prison!

COURSE RECORDS

MALE

Alex Kostich · 1:10:29 · 2019

Long Course · 6KM · Wetsuit Division Record

Oliver Kusch · 1:10:09 · 2011

Short Course · 5.25KM · Wetsuit  Division Record

FEMALE

Aubrie Smallwood · 1:24:25 · 2014

NOT ONE, BUT TWO ALCATRAZES

A test of endurance in a more-than-double Alcatraz crossing.
Enjoy views of Alcatraz going out, and San Francisco coming back in!

NOTE ON SWIMMERS UNDER 18

Safety is our priority in challenging waters! Participants must be at least 12 years old to participate by signing up online. No children under 12 are accepted. Children  12- 17 must be evaluated by a Water World Swim coach in a private session for a non-refundable $95 fee and must be registered at time of evaluation. The fee also covers an accompanying coach in the water during the swim. Registration will be refunded if the minor is deemed not suitable to participate.

If the 12-17 minor is coming from out of town and is unable to be assessed by Water World Swim, we require a certified coach to evaluate the minor and contact us via email or written documentation certifying their ability and recommending their participation. Out of town minors must pay an additional $95 to have an accompanying coach in the water.

Contact us about having your young swimmer join us!

2022 RESULTS

BibNameCategoryAgeGenderFinish
18Tyler LawWetsuit14Male1:36:15.7
17Alexandra LawWetsuit17Female1:43:13.2
5Don CooperWetsuit63Male1:49:00.0
21Dan TuchlerWetsuit65Male1:52:06.7
15Luke HonesWetsuit62Male1:52:17.7
8Edward DengWetsuit59Male1:54:08.8
6Michael CrouseWetsuit49Male1:59:33.7
1Mike BennettWetsuit66Male2:01:03.7
16Jay KeithWetsuit61Male2:06:08.0
22Alexandra WoodWetsuit29Female2:07:43.0
4Tom Chien ChienWetsuit50Male2:09:27.0
14Alex HarelickSkin27Male2:10:46.2
13Alex GuoWetsuit49Male2:20:42.2
20Karen SheehanSkin32Female2:24:01.9
10Maya EbsworthWetsuit27Female2:25:20.1
12Eric FitzsimmonsWetsuit39Male2:26:01.0
19Mahika LodhaSkin15Female2:27:00.1
9Allison DibleySkin60Female2:27:13.2
2Juan Carlos Chamorro CarreraWetsuit50MaleDNS
7Christian DahlenWetsuit56MaleDNS
11Jason EdelmanWetsuit49MaleDNS

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE RESULTS & PARTICIPANTS