“Don’t get eaten by a shark”

Upon gaining entry into the 2017 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, it dawned on me early on that California is known for regular spotting of a fairly well known breed of shark! Great Whites! Gulp!

Multiple things went through my head when I started to think about the swim and joining some of the most notorious sharks in the sea, in their own domain! Like how do I make myself look less appealing to them for breakfast!? I know, let me put on a full length neoprene wet suit (all black) and splash around for an hour! That’s should do it right! Probably not the best idea but I’m going to go by a rule of, don’t be the fastest swimmer and definitely don’t be the last! So that would leave me somewhere in the middle of the pack! Let’s hope I get lucky with what wave I jump off the ferry in!

The onslaught of shark comments has been a constant since I got into this race. You can see from the pic the variety of what I’ve been sent over the last few months, pictures, snap chats, presents! It’s almost been the first thing people say to me when I tell them what I’m off to do. It’s also been the last thing people have said to me before I left the UK to come out here, “don’t get eaten by a shark”.

I think the joke and wind up peaked at Christmas when The Patricks bought me Shark Repellent! It seems like it would be pretty simple to use, the instructions state to open the packet, release a black cloud, stay in the black cloud! Unfortunately I won’t have any room to carry this packet in the swim. So going to have to brave it! I’m sorry Con/Michelle but we will have to keep our fingers and toes crossed that I make it to shore with all mine in tact!

I thought I had escaped the barrage of shark comments when I left the UK shores but that hasn’t been the case. Every Uber driver that I’ve had in San Fran so far has mentioned the sharks as the first response to me telling them why I’m over here! I’m starting to think there’s a conspiracy!

Even the organisers let you know about it, this below was received back in March when providing an update to all participants on swim tips and information.

Yes, there is marine life in San Francisco Bay including seals, sea lions and sharks. The half dozen different types of sharks within San Francisco Bay are usually small, three to four feet in length, and hang out well below the surface of the water and have no interest in Escape participants. Larger sharks do live outside of the Bay where the water is saltier. Sharks of any significant size do not generally come into the Bay because, especially this year, of the brackish water composition (half salt and half fresh water runoff). The San Francisco Bay has 500 miles of Sierra snow melt running into it, so between the fresh water and the silt, the big sharks usually stay away from the Bay’s waters. Harbor seals and sea lions may come by to see what swimmers are up to due to their curious temperaments, but the sheer numbers of swimmers, lifeguard vessels, and support boats keep them at a distance.

So in case you don’t see me again, good afternoon, good evening, goodnight!