SWIM FROM ALCATRAZ

Professor completes swim from Alcatraz

Being able to swim two miles through the cold, treacherous waters of the San Francisco Bay is a difficult feat, but Biology Professor Dr. William Paschal and his two daughters were up for the challenge. On July 16, they completed the journey from Alcatraz Island to the shore in under an hour.

“It was not an easy swim for a 55-year-old man,” Paschal said. “It gave me a real sense of accomplishment.”

He said the high waves, fog and strong currents increased the level of difficulty in his first open water swim.

“It was easy to get disoriented and lose sight of the target beach,” he said. “I actually swam much further as the current pushed me near to the Golden Gate Bridge.”

In preparation for the Odyssey Alcatraz Swim event, Paschal said he swam two to three times a week at the Troup County Parks and Recreation pool.

“For the last five months, I got serious with my training, and each swim session consisted of swimming 3,500 yards without stopping,” he said.

He said the Alcatraz swim was a surreal experience.

“Being in those dark, cold waters, I felt so small in the vastness of the bay,” he said. “It was quite relaxing and serene.”

Paschal said the last 800 yards were the most grueling.

“I was swept far off course,” he said. “A kayaker redirected me and helped guide me into shore.”

He said he was proud to take part in the Alcatraz swim with his daughters.

“It was an experience that I will always cherish because we did it together,” he said.