The Alcatraz Invitational Swim is an open water swimming competition hosted by the South End Rowing Club in San Francisco, California. This swim is a little more than a mile crossing from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park Beach. Cross the San Francisco Bay channel with views of the city, Golden Gate Bridge, and Bay Bridge in the distance. This is a 1.27-mile open water swim from a point abeam Alcatraz Island back to the South End Rowing Clubhouse at the foot of the Hyde St. Pier in San Francisco.
I trained. A lot. I felt like I was ready to go, but in the end, I was unprepared. The two elements that made the race difficult for me were the two that I could not have trained for. Saltwater and the whipping washing machine like waves.
I was scared at the start, but not horrified. I wasn't sure what I was doing as it was my first time, so I just followed the rest of the swimmers, and luckily, a few athletes took me under their wings. I had Jeff and his son there with me trying to calm my nerves (while doing their best to calm their own minds) and the wonderful Florence, who allowed me to jump off the boat with her so I didn't feel alone.
Once I started swimming, all my training went out the window. The waves were attacking me and I felt a wave of fear and despair. Luckily, Florence saw this and quickly summoned a rescue kayak. This must have been where all the prayers everyone was offering came into play because I was introduced to Robert McMillian. This man became my guardian angel. He stayed by my side for the entire race. He never let me quit and he made sure I was safe. He guided me and nudged me when I was feeling like I couldn't go on. I really believe I would not have made it if he had not have been there.
When I made it into the bay, I could hear Sieauna and Alex calling my name. It was the most surreal feeling I've ever had. I could not believe I had done it.
After I crossed the finish line, Bob and I both burst into tears. It was a very emotional accomplishment and I will be forever grateful to him! A few days later he wrote me this beautiful email:
Dear Kelly,Thanks for your lovely note. It means a lot to me, and I'm really glad to have these photos which will remind me of your great swim too.The whole thing was a gift to me and I feel privileged to have witnessed it.I think that for grit and determination this was the most remarkable Alacraz crossing I've ever seen. First off, it is exceedingly rare to find people who have done an Alcatraz via backstroke. I can only think of maybe two or three people I know who have done it, and I estimate that fewer than 1 percent of our Invitational swimmers do this.When I first came across you I could tell that you had prepared for the swim, but were doubting yourself. I've seen lots of swimmers who were not going to make it, and when you were swimming, you really didn't look like that. The problem was you weren't swimming. The waves were throwing your breathing off and that was scary and causing you to doubt yourself and forcing you to improvise your swim plan on the fly. That's so hard to do in the middle of a strange body of water.But oh my goodness, you drew something within yourself and kept going. When you hit the opening, I almost cried. As we approached the opening the flood was picking up steam and was threatening to pull you eastward, toward Pier 39. It was getting so strong that you probably would not have made the Aquatic Park if you had missed it. But I told you that you had to sprint for it and, by god, you did your best swimming of the entire day there. It was truly beautiful to see you pick up your speed and make the cove.Your grit is now legendary at the South End!There's a special sense of accomplishment that I will never forget from my first Alcatraz (the 2003 Invitational). I hope you keep a similar sense with you always. You earned it!Your pal,Bob
