Open Water Information
OUR MISSION: To offer a safe, fun, and relaxed experience. To offer encouragement and feedback. To share as much knowledge as possible. To personalize our service and get to know our swimmers. And to do all of this with humor and kindness and patience.
Expectations and Agreements for Swimmers: Please see our expectations and agreements.
Aquatic Park Directions:
Please note: the concrete bleachers at Aquatic Park are under construction! We meet on the grassy hillside at the end of the Van Ness Avenue. This is next to the Van Ness Avenue parking area. The best place to park is at the end of Van Ness Avenue. Van Ness dead ends down by the water in a big parking area. Park there and then walk East. You will see the water. This is Aquatic Park. You may also access Aquatic Park easily by Muni (19 Polk, 30 Stockton, 47 Van Ness, 49 Van Ness-Mission or F Market).See our map of the Aquatic Park area for parking spots, bathrooms, and landmarks. Google map here.
Parking: If you drive, your best bet is at the end of Van Ness Avenue. There are lots of free spots there.
Public Transportation: MUNI buses number 49 and 10 go directly to Aquatic Park (last stop at the end of Van Ness Ave). MUNI buses 30, 19, 47, and the street car F all go within close walking distance of Aquatic Park. Check 511.org for schedules.
Treasure Island Directions:
From the East Bay: Drive West on the Bay Bridge. Take the Treasure Island exit from the far left lane. Merge onto Treasure Island Road. TI Road becomes Avenue Palms. Go through naval base gates. Turn right onto California. Then turn right onto Avenue D and drive into the large parking lot.
From San Francisco: Drive East on the Bay Bridge. Take the Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island exit from the far left lane. The ramp will dump you onto Avenue Palms. Go through naval base gates. Turn right onto California. Then turn right onto Avenue D and drive into the large parking lot. We meet in the big parking lot and walk over to the beach together.
Satellite photo here! Google map here
Levels for Group Swims:
We have Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner groups. On Monday nights, the Advanced group meets at 6:15 pm, and the Intermediate and Beginner groups meet at 6:30 pm. Which group is right for you? If you can swim one mile in under 40 minutes (in the pool or open water) and you prefer a more challenging workout in the bay, please join the Advanced group. If you are a slower swimmer (cover one mile in more than 40 minutes) and/or prefer a more relaxed swim, please join the Intermediate group. If you are new to open water swimming and still getting comfortable with your open water skills, the Beginner group is right for you.
Meeting Times:
Groups assemble at the designated meeting times (see the Group Swims page for meeting times). Please be as prompt as possible. The group will enter the water 10 minutes after the meeting time. During that 10 minute period, Guides will assess the group and designate a course. Before getting in the water the guides will give a "pre-swim" briefing. If you arrive late and the group is already in the water, we may choose not to send you out. If you are able to "catch up" with the group in safety, you are welcome to go out.
Swimming Route:
We explore different areas of "The Cove", usually charting a course among the various boats, along Muni Pier, and even back behind Hyde Street Pier. It�s different every time, to keep things interesting! On occasion we also swim outside of Aquatic Park, along the breakwater wall.
Distance and Pace:
The Advanced training group swims approximately 1 to 1.5 miles, at approximately a 30-minute mile pace. The Intermediate group swims approximately 1 mile, at approximately a 40-minute mile pace. The Beginner group swims approximately 0.5 to 1 mile, at about a 40-minute mile pace.
Equipment and Gear:
The basics: swimming suit, goggles, cap, and towel. We will provide a neon green latex cap for you. You can also consider: earplugs, contacts / prescription goggles. Fins are not allowed on our group swims. Bring warm clothes to change into afterward - hat / warm clothes / gloves / thick socks and shoes. Warm tea is also nice, and a bottle filled with water will be handy in cleaning the sand off your feet! Please leave your wallet and cell phone and any other valuables in your car. We do not require wetsuits for our swims. Some people wear wetsuits and some do not. More info about wetsuits follows in the FAQ section.
Wetsuit Rentals:
We are lucky enough to have a deal with the wetsuit maker Fit2Race for cheap wetsuit rental. $45 gets you a suit for 30 days. Rent a wetsuit at the Swim Art store on the Fit2Race website. Click the "Store" link and then click the "Rent a Wetsuit" link. Rental instructions and size info is also on their site. They will even MAIL the wetsuit to you!
Please note: We do not require wetsuits. The temperature in SF Bay fluctuates between 50 degrees in the winter and 63 degrees in the late summer. Many people swim year-round without wetsuits.
More wetsuit tips here.
Guides:
Read more about Swim Art open water guides.
Training and Skills
Training and Preparation: For tips and advice for preparing for each of our Expedition swims click here. Our 8-week Alcatraz training plan will give you an idea of how to prepare for this swim if you are a beginner or intermediate swimmer.
Sighting: For help learning how to "sight" and perfecting this skill, see our YouTube video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this your first swim EVER in open water, or in the Bay?
If so, you'll find some basic info about Getting Your Feet Wet on our Facebook page.
What is the water temperature in the bay?
The water temperature usually fluctuates between 50 in the winter to 62 in the summer. The coldest month is February, and the warmest is September.
Here is the approximate break-down by month:
March - 51 to 53
April - 53 to 55
May - 54 to 57
June - 58 to 60
July - 60 to 63
August - 60 to 63
September - 60 to 65
October - 60 to 57
Are there sharks in the bay? Will I get eaten?
There are sharks in the bay, but not the man-eating kind. YOU WILL NOT GET EATEN!
Are there other resources about the bay?
Check out the Bay Model in Sausalito, Bay Keepers, Surf Rider Foundation.
Is the water clean?
The bay is clean and is tested every day of the year for bacteria levels. You can check the status of various beaches. If a beach is closed because of high bacteria counts, it will be shown there and we would cancel a swim accordingly.
What are the currents like?
The currents can be very mild or pretty strong, depending on the tides, which depend on the phase of the moon. Generally speaking, the strongest currents in the bay are difficult for even the strongest swimmer to swim against. But the currents are no where near as strong in "The Cove" of Aquatic Park as they are outside in the open bay water, where the water is flowing in and out. The gentle currents can be swum against easily and may even be unnoticeable.
Should I wear a wetsuit and what kind?
About 75% of Swim Artists wear wetsuits. However, there are many people who swim in the bay without them. The water fluctuates between 48 in the winter and 64 in the peak of the summer (September). So, whether or not you wear one depends on a few things:
1) comfort in the water - the wetsuit makes you unsinkable. you will be so buoyant in the water, that it will immediately put you at ease and make swimming easier
2) thermoregulation - if you have a tendency to be warm in colder climates, then you will probably be fine without a wetsuit. if you have a tendency to get cold easily, the I would suggest one.
3) triathlete versus swimmer - in general, most triathletes wear wetsuits, and most swimmers go without. this is the case for a few reasons. triathletes tend to be leaner, and thus get cold easier. triathletes, on average, are not as good swimmers, so they like the wetsuit for the buoyancy, good body position, and ease of movement. triathletes have to bike and run after they swim, so they are concerned with conserving energy (warmth is energy), and swimmers are not.
What kind of wetsuit is the next question. The wetsuit made for swimming is called a Triathlon wetsuit (or Tri suit). In general, a surfing wetsuit will do, if you're just going to do a few open water swims on an irregular basis. It will do the job of keeping you warm. However, if you are training for triathlon or are pretty certain you're going to swim in the Bay regularly, you'll want to buy a Triathlon wetsuit.
The majority of people wear full sleeved. A few people prefer the sleeveless, for more range of motion in the arms. The thickness of the triathlon suits are all pretty much the same: 2/4/5. I think it's 5 in the hips and core, 4 in the legs and arms, and 2 at all of the joints.
Different brands fit differently, so we can't recommend a particular brand. If you're going to buy a suit, try a few different ones on and you'll know the one that feels the best on. People seem to like the Blue Seventy and the 2XU. Orca is also popular, but there are about 20 different brands out there, depending on how much you want to spend, etc.
More wetsuit tips here.
How far do we swim on Monday nights?
The Advanced training group swims approximately 1.25 miles. The Intermediate group swims approximately 1 mile. The Beginner group swims approximately 0.5 to 0.75 mile.
What is the pace of the three groups?
The Advanced training group swims at about a 30-minute mile pace, with two or three rest stops along the way. The Intermediate training group swims at about a 40-minute mile pace, with many rest stops along the way, 100 to 800 yards at a time. The Beginner group swims at about a 40-minute mile pace stopping frequently, swimming 25 to 500 yards at a stretch.
Things to know if you are getting in the Bay for the first time: Usually the things that freak people out about the open water are:
-the cold
-the salty taste
-not being able to see in the water (there is no visibility)
-not being able to touch the bottom or hang on to the wall
-choppy water
-not being able to see where you are going
-aquatic life
-tides
But, it is possible to become comfortable with all of the above. It takes a little practice, and patience. It will also take some time to build up endurance and stamina. All of this is possible, though!