Everybody was to enter the water for a deep water start. A blast of the horn was to then signal the start of the race and start the clock. Then we were to follow the yellow Zodiac lead boat. This did not happen as was planned. As soon as the first swimmers were in the water the horn blew and the swimmers started heading for the yellow lead boat. At that point the RD had to start the clock. I think it took me about 2-3 minutes to get off the boat after the first guys started jumping off. My actual time for the race is somewhat less than what is posted in the official results. I stopped twice to turn around and look back at Alcatraz. Very cool.

We were told in the race breifing to sight and swim to the left of the breakwater that protedcted the enterance into the Aquatic Park. If we stayed on this course the current would sweep us into the general area of the entrance and we could just swim in. I tried to sight of the yellow lead boat but had a hard time seeing it due to the small swells. I sighted off the two ships that we were told to, and I was also fortunate that there was a guy in a kayak that I was keeping pace with off my right side. As I approched the pier/break-water/jetty, I thought that I was a few hundred yards to the left of the entrance. As I looked to find the bouy that marked the entrance into the Aquatic park I suprised to find it right in front of me. The current had sweep me right in line with the opening and I just had to swim straight in. I could not have planned it better. Chaulk it up to beginners luck.

Find a wetsuit that fit better and use more body glide, lots and lots of body glide. One week later and I am still suffering from the worst rash on my neck I have ever seen.

Ran through the chute, somebody took off my timing chip, another person un-zipped my wetsuit and pulled it down over my shoulders. It would have come right off but I taped my wrists to limit the amount of water that rushed up the sleeves on each stroke. They placed a finishers metal around my neck and I had a picture taken with Allison streeter, Queen of the english Channel.


Could of had a better fitting wetsuit. but since it was my first time swimming with a wetsuit I am not too sure if mattered.


(EDIT Had the RD fix the age thing and now I finished offically 3rd in my AG.)I think I finished 3rd or 4th in my age group. The printed result had me down as 2nd in my agroup but my age was posted as being 6. When I went in sided to see if they could correct it I found out that some other guy also was placed in another AG and his time was 7 seconds faster than me. That put me in 4th place. I finished 3rd (4th )in the 40-44 AG and 16 in the mens wetsuit division. 70th place overall out of 516 swimmers. I felt the race was well orginized and well run. A good group of people at SERC. Other than that I had a great time and would recommend the race to anyone who was looking for a fun swim in San Fran