1) Coaching and Training PlansHave anxieties about the creatures lurking in the water? Miss the comfort of lane lines and a wall to hang onto? Hesitant about swimming in cold water? Can't quite get the hang of sighting and swimming in a straight line? Need help with your stroke technique? Preparing for your first open water swim? Or are you a seasoned swimmer getting prepared for a long-distance marathon swim?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then let me help.
Coaching
Whether it's a one-time consultation or ongoing coaching, I will make you feel comfortable and effective in the open water. As I accompany you in a kayak, I'll take short 10-20 second video clips of your stroke and then follow-up our session with a feedback email that also contains some of the clips that best illustrate the points I'm making.
One time consultations are $65 for one hour or $90 for an hour and a half. Ongoing coaching rates are based on the number of sessions, e.g. 2-5 60-minute sessions are $55; 2-5 90-minute sessions are $80.
All open water coaching is done at Aquatic Park in San Francisco or at Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay. Coaching at other locations may involve a nominal travel fee.
(And if you're a cyclist or triathlete looking for coaching and / or bike fit services, please check out my friends Rachel & Phil at Hypercat Racing.)
Training Plans
If you're a seasoned swimmer looking to swim a long-distance event, I can develop a season-long training plan that will give you the edge for a successful swim. Using your current training regimen, I'll incorporate the same structure and methodology that helped me successfully complete a 6-mile swim in Key West (6/20/08), a 9-mile swim in Honolulu (12/9/08) and a 12-mile swim in Perth Australia (2/21/09). Costs run between $100 and $200 depending on the nature and length of your swimming goal and preparatory training period.
Testimonials
"Swimming is still not my favorite but I definitely improved on my original [Wildflower swim leg] time. You were great and if I didn't say it before...you made all the difference between a long, panicked swim and a long relaxing one!" - Dawn K
"Had Wildflower Tri yesterday. My mental demons appeared after about 100 yards in the water but I blew out the "last candle on the cake," sucked it in and completed the swim in 27:08. Thank you so much for being in my corner!" - Dan B
"Thanks again for a great lesson and a fun morning! I really appreciate your guidance through the water (sort of like having a guardian angel in a kayak) and I was amazed how my swimming improved." - Vickie S
"Thanks a lot Gary! I improved my time from last year's swim by 10:33. That may not mean much since there was more assistance from the tide this year but I sure felt great getting out of the water and it helped me to do better for the rest of the [Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon]. I know that my performance benefited from your guidance and I hope I get more opportunities to do [Alcatraz] again." - George B
"Thanks again for boosting my confidence 100 percent with the swim. Seriously...I am so much more at ease about the swim." - Perry S
"Hey Gary! Thanks for your great coaching today. You're the best! I may actually be able to do this Alcatraz swim after all. Now I'm beginning to stress about the run. Remind me, why do I sign up for these events?" - Marcella C
"Gary, a big THANK YOU for all your help this summer...from helping me with my stroke [to] inspiring me to ditch the wetsuit - you've helped make my 2009 summer a very memorable one...Thank you!" - Greg K
BEFORE Alcatraz
"My main goal is to reduce my initial anxiety...[I] have a problem with catching my breath and feeling that I am having a panic attack."
AFTER Alcatraz
"I jumped in the water and did not panic. I was so relaxed and actually enjoyed it. I am definitely going to do it next year...Thanks again for all your support - it really helped." - Rose R
"Thanks so much for the advice you gave me to help my shoulder. I practiced reaching lower in the water instead of straight out...I am happy to report that my shoulder is pain free this morning." - Suzanne G.
"I want to tell you how much "one-eyed breathing" has helped my stroke. Everything feels much easier and smoother. I know my speed has increased [because] I am pulling ahead of people I was swimming right beside before." - Terri H.
2) Private Alcatraz SwimsAnxious about your first Alcatraz swim or do you simply want to make a crossing under controlled conditions?
Let me help. Using a highly experienced pilot (who has made over 400 escorts) and with a fully authorized U.S. Coast Guard Marine Event Permit, I'll escort you and up to three (3) friends on your own private Alcatraz swim. Total cost is $350 (that's total cost NOT per person).
And for the first time ever, I'll also be offering three very special Round Trip Alcatraz swims. The tidal conditions are so perfect on these days that you'll be able to swim from Aquatic Park out and around Alcatraz and then back to Aquatic Park - approximately 3 miles. (Specially priced at $550.)
I normally have a number of permits in hand but will need up to 60 days advance notice to obtain a permit for the date of your choosing.
If you've got an Alcatraz swim scheduled for 2010, check out the schedule below. These Alcatraz swims simulate the tidal currents and routes on the days of the six major commercial events. Pre-swim the course and have a huge advantage over your competitors on race day!
Watch Allen Luong's exciting video to see what these private Alcatraz swim escorts are all about!
There are two important caveats
1) All members of your group should be able to swim at a similar speed. Because of boat traffic on the Bay, all swimmers will be required to swim in a close-knit pod next to the escort boat. This means that the fastest swimmer in your group will only be as fast as the slowest swimmer.
2) You should be able to swim 1.5 miles freestyle in 65 minutes or less. Any pace slower than this will not be fast enough to get you across before the currents change.
You can reserve and pay for your private Alcatraz swim now via Pay Pal or credit card. Please select the "add to cart" icon, pay a $175.00 deposit and the date is yours (the remaining $175.00 must be paid prior to the date of the swim)! (NOTE for California residents: you will be "taxed" an additional $16.19 by Pay Pal - this will be deducted from your $175 balance due and you can give me a check for $158.81 made payable to Lane Lines to Shore Lines LLC on the day of our swim.) I will contact you promptly to go over logistics. If you have questions before you lock your date in, contact me at SFBaySwimmer@sbcglobal.net.
If you would rather pay via check please lock in your reservation by sending a check in the amount of $175.00 payable to Lane Lines to Shore Lines LLC and mailing it to 1427 Livingston Avenue, Pacifica, CA 94044-3930. (No checks drawn on foreign banks - all checks must be drawn on U.S. banks, please.) The balance can be paid on the day of your swim.
Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon (5/02/10), Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon & Swim (7/18/10) or Alcatraz Triathlon (8/29/10)
Saturday February 6, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump
Sunday February 7, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump
Saturday February 20, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump
Sunday February 21, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump
Saturday March 6, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump
Sunday March 7, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump
Saturday April 3, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump- booked
Sunday April 4, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump- booked
Saturday April 17, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump- booked
Sunday April 18, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump- booked
Monday April 19, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump- booked
Saturday May 1, 2010 7:30 a.m. jump
Saturday May 15, 2010 7:15 a.m. jump- booked-
Sunday May 16, 2010 8:00 a.m jump-
Monday May 17, 2010 8:30 a.m. jump
Tuesday May 18, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump
Wednesday May 19, 2010 10:00 a.m. jump
Thursday May 20, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump
Friday May 21, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump
Thursday May 27, 2010 6:00 a.m. jump
Friday May 28, 2010 7:00 a.m. jump
Saturday May 29, 2010 6:30 a.m. jump- booked
Saturday June 5, 2010 8:30 a.m jump
Sunday June 6, 2010 10:00 a.m. jump- booked
Saturday June 19, 2010 8:30 a.m. jump- booked
Sunday June 20, 2010 9:30 a.m. jump- booked
Saturday July 3, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump- booked
Sunday July 4, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump
Saturday July 17, 2010 7:00 a.m. jump- booked
Sunday August 1, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump- booked
Saturday August 14, 2010 7:30 a.m. jump- booked
Sunday August 15, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump- booked
Saturday August 28, 2010 6:30 a.m. jump- booked
Sharkfest Swim (6/06/10), Escape from the Rock Triathlon (6/20/10), South End Invitational (9/18/10) or Alcatraz Centurion Swim (10/02/10)
Wednesday March 10, 2010 7:30 a.m. jump
Thrusday March 11, 2010 8:30 a.m. jump
Wednesday April 7, 2010 7:00 a.m. jump
Thursday April 8, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump
Friday April 9, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump- booked
Friday April 23, 2010 7:30 a.m jump
Saturday April 24, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump- booked
Sunday April 25, 2010 10:00 a.m. jump
Friday May 7, 2010 7:15 a.m. jump
Saturday May 8, 2010 8:30 a.m. jump
Sunday May 9, 2010 9:30 a.m. jump
Saturday May 22, 2010 7:30 a.m. jump
Saturday June 19, 2010 6:30 a.m. jump- booked
Friday June 25, 2010 7:30 a.m. jump- booked
Thursday July 22, 2010 7:30 a.m. jump- booked
Tuesday August 3, 2010 7:00 a.m. jump- booked
Wednesday Sept. 15, 2010 7:30 a.m. jump- booked
Monday Sept. 27, 2010 8:30 a.m. jump- booked
Tuesday Sept. 28, 2010 9:00 a.m. jump- booked
Special Round Trip Alcatraz Swims - Swim Out and Around the Rock and Back to Shore! ($550)
Monday July 5, 2010 6:00 a.m. jump
Tuesday July 6, 2010 7:00 a.m. jump
Wednesday July 7, 2010 8:00 a.m. jump
3) Clinics / PresentationsInterested in learning more about swimming in open water including what it takes to swim from Alcatraz? Then consider booking me for your club's next meeting. Using the same presentation materials and photos used in Tri-California's Alcatraz and Open Water Swim Camps, I can answer your questions and raise your comfort level significantly.
Testimonials
"I attended the Tri Cal clinic this past weekend and was on your boat for the swim from Alcatraz...just wanted to say thanks for the great instruction and tools. I feel so much more confident about the race in June." - Aaron S
"Thank you again for an interesting and informative talk last night - I've heard nothing but raves from people who attended!" - Kristin H
"Thanks Reid, Eric, Nick and Gary for a great clinic. I always like to see courses before I race them but your clinic was more than just viewing a course. I walked away with a boatload of critical info that will knock huge amounts of time off the race. Now I have complete confidence in swimming from the Rock! 3-foot swells? No Problem!" - Joe W