Alcatraz Swim

Upcoming Swims:

Our next Team Hydro Alcatraz swim will be on Saturday, August 13, 2022. See HERE for more details, to register for the swim, or to sponsor a swimmer! If you’re interested in volunteering on land, please send an email to info@teamhydro.org.

The Alcatraz Swim is Team Hydro’s flagship swim. This swim requires Team Hydro Members to brave over 1.8 miles of icy currents from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco’s Aquatic Park, through the frigid (and shark-infested!) waters of the San Francisco Bay! Often referred to as “The Rock,” Alcatraz Island served as a maximum security prison from 1933 to 1963, and was used to house some of the most notorious criminals of American history, including Al Capone, Robert “the birdman of Alcatraz” Franklin Stroud, and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Though a total of 36 prisoners attempted escape — most famously including the intricate and mysterious attempt of Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin — the penitentiary claimed that no prisoner ever successfully escaped from Alcatraz prison or survived the swim to shore.

Many claimed the route “un-swimable” due to the icy temps and strong currents which run through the Bay. But armed with resolve, resilience and fortitude that mirrors that which people living with hydrocephalus must demonstrate every day, Team Hydro swimmers, on the other hand, have successfully completed this perilous swim over 1,000 collective times!

We truly hope and believe that just as we triumph over this swim that was long-thought impossible, we will also one day triumph over hydrocephalus!! We are certain that one day, a cure for the difficult and life-threatening disease of Hydrocephalus WILL be found!

What’s it Like to Escape from Alcatraz?!

It is glorious. (And quite safe). Co-Founder Peter Finlayson has completed the swim over 15 times. Our logistics team has supervised literally thousands of crossings. And we have never lost a swimmer yet. It is simply indescribable to pull-up partway through the swim, see Alcatraz behind you, the skyline in front of you, and the iconic Golden Gate and Bay Bridges to either side. And the feeling of accomplishment on the beach afterwards knowing you’ve done something incredible — and contributed to an amazing cause — is second to none.

Click here to see a short clip of the chop on the bay between Alcatraz Island and Aquatic Park in San Francisco! This was taken on swim day 2014! : Treacherous Waters

Team Hydro Alcatraz Photos–we hope to see YOU in one soon!!

: The team gathers before the race!

: On the ferry–ready to jump!

: alcatraz in the distance as swimmers approach the opening to aquatic park

: Kyle, age 11 finishes strong!! Though Kyle has a shunt implanted in his brain to treat his hydrocephalus, he is a FORCE to be reckoned with in the water!!

: On the home stretch inside aquatic park

: A Team Hydro Swimmer Finishes the Race –sans wetsuit no less!!

: On-land supporters wait to greet the successful swimmers!

: nothing can stop Team Hydro from reaching our goals!

: Intent on Promoting Hydrocephalus Research!

: The bay may be cold..but conquerable!

: National High School Heisman Winners gather to swim for Hydro Research!

: Team Hydro is the Best!

: Thumbs up in support of the Cause

: Raceday morning is filled with excited anticipation!

: On-land supporters wait for the swimmers to return!

: Cal and Stanford Polo players join forces for Good!

: Swimmers gather before the swim! It may be early, but Hydrosharks are Smiling and Ready to conquer the Bay!!

: The amazing Kate Damrell, who swims with shunted hydrocephalus shows off her Team Hydro band with her Dad!

: Go Team Hydro!

: Olympian Jessica Steffens swam with Kate Finlayson growing up. After losing her friend in 2010, she now proudly swims in support of Hydrocephalus Research! Jess holds Gold and Silver medals from London and Beijing!