An Alcatraz Island Celebration 1000 Times
20 years yesterday Gary Emich (shown on left) did his first Alcatraz Island.And he has been doing an average of one Alcatraz Island swim a week for 20 years, in conditions that have ranged from tranquil to treacherous with only 2 weeks off for vacation per year.
Emich will join Steven Hurwitz of the South End Rowing Club in a special celebration.
The duo will both complete and then celebrate their 1000th solo Alcatraz crossings together on the morning of June 11th.
Emich and Hurwitz, will be joined by a flotilla of well-wishers, including Joe Oakes and Bob Roper, two local swimming legends.
The 2-mile swim coincides with the 51th anniversary of the famed escape from the Rock by Frank Morris and John, Clarence, and Alfred Anglin. The event will help raise money for Hospice of the Bay, San Francisco Bay Keeper Foundation and the South End Rowing Club.
“The 1000th crossing for the swimmers is a symbolic victory for all those who yearn for freedom – those who have tried to accomplish what doubters said couldn’t be done and those who literally tried to escape the Rock against all odds,” said Hurwitz, the youngest swimmer in history to complete 500 crossings. “The 1000th is also an opportunity say thank to three organizations that are making a huge difference in the Bay Area.”
Accompanying the three swimmers will be a pilot boat navigated by the swimmers’ 75-year-old coach, Napa Bob Roper. Emich on Roper, “Bob Roper just adds to this celebration of San Francisco and the mystique and beauty of an island that has captured the imagination of people around the world. This is a great day for all those who enjoy the splendor of this magnificent body of water and island.”
San Francisco Bay frequently is subject to high winds, whitecap waters reaching four feet and myriad types of carnivorous marine life. Adding to the complexity, the swimmers must navigate through extremely strong and tricky currents and endure water temperatures that dip to 7.7ºC (46ºF). Neither Emich or Hurwitz ever wears a wetsuit and completely depends on their own bioprene.
Copyright © 2013 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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