Escaping Alcatraz | Moon Valley Tattler | May 2021 | Vol. 41 No. 5

Escape your Limitations:

My story about escaping alcatraz

BY ANDREW HAHNE

Hahne competes in multiple years of the annual F.A.S.T. event

Courtesy of Andrew Hahne

Only a few people have escaped from Alcatraz Prison, right? Not only is it very hard to escape from this world-famous prison, but the water is freezing, there are sharks, and the swim is impossible. Right? Well, swimming from Alcatraz to San Francisco is one of the most famous open water swims in the world, however, very few people can say they have accomplished this. And fewer can say they have swum under and along the path of the Golden Gate Bridge. But it is a very select group of people that can say they have done both in one weekend. Despite the legend that swimming from Alcatraz is dangerous and seemingly impossible, I have accomplished this task annually since I was 12, but I have not done it alone. Along with my friends, family, and coaches, I have received support from all of those who volunteer to secure the bay for each swim. In the water, there are many kayaks, coast guard boats, police jet skis, and other support boats to make sure the event goes smoothly.

Alcatraz and Golden Gate Swims is an annual fundraiser sponsored by F.A.S.T. that happens in early April. FAST (Foundation for Aquatic Safety and Training) is an organization dedicated to teaching refugee children swimming and water safety. Why is it important? Because every day about 10 people die from drowning. Simply knowing how to swim can mean the difference between life and death.

Throughout the summers of each year’s event, I have volunteered with F.A.S.T. in their endeavor to teach refugees. Volunteers meet at a local swim school and are assigned to one or two children at the start of the summer. As the summer goes by, we teach them the basics of swimming and water safety. It is truly amazing to see them grow in their swimming abilities and more importantly if they find themselves in a dangerous situation, they will know how to stay afloat and get to safety.

The first time I heard about the Alcatraz swims was at one of my Neptune Swim Club’s practices from the club’s head coach, Joe Zemaitis. Neptune’s headquarters and many of its practices are in our backyard – at Moon Valley Country Club. Coach Joe is not only the head organizer for the swims, but is also an amazing motivator. As a world-record-holding open water swimmer, he is a great remarkable mentor to all those who participate in this event.

The event takes place every April, but training starts as early as October. To train, the swimmers meet in the winter at Rattlesnake Cove, an inlet of Bartlett Lake sectioned off from motorized boats. Out in the cove are a line of buoys, to which you swim, around a few times and back. Yes, you are probably thinking: who in the right mind would swim in Bartlett Lake in the wintertime?? Well, it is a great place to train for the San Francisco swims because it prepares you for the temperature, an hour in open water, and the fact that you will not be able to see very far under you.

The event in San Francisco starts early in the morning on Hyde Street Pier, where the group of swimmers gathers at dawn in wetsuits to be checked in. From there, you walk to the boats that take you out to the famous Alcatraz Island. Off the shore of the legendary prison, you wait for the signal to jump from your boat into the bay. Without delay, as the tides become cooperative, you get the signal. Adrenaline builds up as all the swimmers jump in the water. As your feet enter the ~ 50º water, you realize just how cold it’s going to be. As you jump in, you are immersed in the water. Your only choice is to swim. The first 5 minutes are the worst as your hands, feet, and face are exposed to the cold water. But after about 10 minutes, you eventually acclimate to the cold temperatures, and then, all you have to do is enjoy the swim. After 1.2 miles of swimming, you enter Aquatic Park Cove, a harbor attached to mainland San Francisco, where your family and friends are waiting for you on the beach with a warm towel and many congratulations.

This event consists of two swims. The next day, you are greeted with another early morning assembly at Hyde Street Pier to be checked in again. From there, you walk to the boats that take you on a 15-minute ride to the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Like the day before on the boat, we wait for favorable tides and the signal to jump. You swim from the south tower to the north tower of the bridge. Swimming under the bridge gives you a very unique view of the magnificent landmark and the legendary skyline that is next to it. The Golden Gate Bridge swim is 1.2 miles and it is much choppier (the waves are bigger) because it is closer to the open ocean. After swimming under the bridge and to the other side, the boat is waiting for you to take you back to San Francisco...

To read the full article, view the May 2021 issue of the Moon Valley Tattler below.