Gary Emich

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Gary Emich is an open water swimming coach and leads private Alcatraz swims for open water enthusiasts.

Gary is an "Escape from Alcatraz" swim world record holder - 600+ crossings without wetsuit or fins - and the author of "A Swim Criminal Looks at 100: A Swimmer's Guide to a Successful Escape." To purchase the book, visit his website.

Gary has completed many other unique swims including the Amazon River replete with piranhas; Peru's Lake Titicaca (the world's highest navigable lake at 12,500 feet); the peat black waters of Loch Ness; inter island crossings of the Greek Cyclades; the 10-mile San Francisco Bay to Breakers plus swims across numerous rivers in the U.S. including the muddy Mississippi and Washington DC's Potomac. In addition, he has completed relay crossings of the English Channel, Catalina Channel, Bay of Naples, Tampa Bay, Boston Harbor and the Strait of Gibraltar as well as a relay circumnavigation of Manhattan Island.

Gary swims out of the South End Rowing Club, whose history of swimming in the San Francisco Bay dates back to 1873. As a Certified Level 1 USA Triathlon Coach, Gary specializes in the swimmer who wants to make the switch from pool to open water swimming or who is interested in making a successful Alcatraz crossing.

Finally, Gary is race director of the Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon & Swim as well as the assistant swim director for the popular Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.